Page 7 of How We Fooled

I grin up at her. “Exactly.”

My mom always says I need to find someone who can keep up with me or someone who can at least put up with the fact that I always want to be doing something and not just lie around and be lazy. I haven’t dated much because not many girls around here like the things I’m into.

I pick up my phone, wondering if I should text or just call her. Realizing I should have probably done this over an hour ago, I hover my thumb over her name and look up at my mom, raising my eyebrows slightly at her.

She laughs and holds her hands, palms up. “I’m going. I’ll give you your privacy.”

I chuckle under my breath and wait for her to walk out of the garage before I click Liza’s name.

She answers on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Eli. Sorry I didn’t call earlier. You didn’t eat already, did you?”

I hear her giggle in the phone and am surprised at how big it makes me smile.

“No, not yet. I was just about to give up on you though.”

I turn around to lean on the workbench, looking at everything I’ve done since I got home. I was off in my own world, not thinking about anything else.

“Sorry. I was fixing my bike and lost track of the time. I can come get you in a half hour. Is that cool?”

“Yeah. That works. I’ll text you my address.”

“Okay. See you soon.”

“Bye.”

I hang up and look at my phone, seeing I have a text from Ben. Our crew always hangs out in his barn that his parents fixed up so we’d have a place to all be together.

You coming over tonight?

Sorry. Can’t.

I don’t bother explaining why. I never do. They know that’s just me, and they don’t question it—which I love.

I put my phone in my pocket and head back in the house, not bothering to clean up my mess. I know my dad will give me shit for leaving it like this, but I got a girl I have to get ready for.

CHAPTER THREE

Eli

I’m showered and out the door in less than twenty minutes, throwing a ball cap over my still-wet hair and saying goodbye to my parents and sister. Hopping in my truck, I turn up the radio, thumbing along to the beat as I head on the freeway toward Mason Creek.

I decide to send her a text, letting her know I’m almost there as I pull off the freeway since I’ve taken a little longer than a half hour. When I pull up, I’m surprised to see her out front on a porch swing. I put the truck in park, leaving it running as I exit, walking around to where she is.

As I get around the truck, I stop in my tracks, taking in the absolute beauty that stands before me. Earlier today, I thought she was pretty with her hair pulled back and her workout clothes on, but now, seeing her all dolled up like this, I realize just how absolutely gorgeous she truly is.

Her slight giggle snaps me out of my stupor, making me afraid she’s doing so because she caught me dumbfounded, just staring at her in awe.

“You clean up well.” I try to play it off like I wasn’t just caught off guard.

“So do you, handsome,” she responds, making my heart do a little dance that I’ve never felt before.

I take a deep breath, glad that I can turn away to compose myself as I walk to the passenger side of the truck and open it for her, motioning for her to hop in.

“Thank you.” She gives me another smile, and I swear it hits me the same as the last one.

I close the door and head to my side, taking another deep breath as I open it up and slide in.

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