Page 63 of Top Shelf

“You know I do,” I say. “But that’s not why I’m calling. I’d actually like to hire you. For your event planning services.”

“What?” she laughs.

I tell her about the tournament, and she gasps.

“Fuck that prick,” she starts off, “but this is such a great idea, baby! I love this. We could have games and raffles and all kinds of things to raise money. Merchandise, all that good stuff! Oh my gosh, this will be so fun,” she says.

“So does that mean you’re in?” I ask.

She laughs.

“That depends,” she says. “How’s the pay? I just got a job offer, ya know. I’m wanted around these parts.”

I want to scream and jump through the phone.

“You got it?” I ask, smacking my steering wheel. She squeals.

“Yes! They just called me!Andthey offered me well over my asking salary!”

“Fuck, yes!” I say. “Woooooo! That’s my girl. I’m so fucking proud of you, Blackwell. They’re lucky to have you.”

God, she deserves this.

“Thank you, Ty,” she says. “I’m so excited. But I suppose I can take up a side job too.” I smile.

“Hmm,” I say, “well, I can pay you in the way of multiple orgasms, gummy bears, and tacos.”

She laughs again.

“How can I resist an offer like that?”

“I mean, I’d take it if I were you,” I say. “I gotta run to class. I’ll see you later. I love the shit outta you, Blackwell. And I’m so fucking proud.”

“I love you more, Calway.”

When I get home, I expect her to be cuddled up on the couch with Odie. But instead, when I walk through the door, she’s standing there with a giant suitcase. I look up at her, my eyebrows knit together.

“Go pee,” she says, “and then get back in the truck. We’re going somewhere.”

I laugh.

“Oh?” I ask. “And where is that?”

She steps up and kisses me.

“Let me worry about that,” she whispers with a quick wink as she takes the keys out of my hand and walks past me out the door. She whistles for Odie, and he follows her, happily hopping into the back of the truck. I pee and change quickly, then get in the passenger seat of my own truck.

She turns up the radio, hands me a bag of snacks, and then heads for the highway. And it doesn’t take me more than a few minutes to realize where we’re going: the lake house.

After an hour and a half or so, she pulls into the driveway of the house where we spent that weekend together all those years ago.

The house where we knew it was safe to tell each other we were in love.

The house where I knew I had her, and the house where I knew I’d lost her.

But having something as beautiful as her, having a love like I have for her, is worth every ounce of pain. Because there is nothing that can even touch the happiness she brings me. And even if today were my last day with her in my arms, it will have all been worth it.

She looks over at me and smiles, then hops out of the truck.

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