Crazy Maybe by A. D. Justice

because she takes my breath away.  I can’t believe how well she fits in with my family.  They are all completely taken with her. 
    And when she sang that song for the family, I was completely mesmerized.  I knew she could play – she’s strummed a couple of songs for me during the time we’ve been spending together – but hearing her sing that song was different. 
    She uses songs to speak for her sometimes.  I know that was a song she knows by heart but I could tell from her very demeanor that she felt insecure.  Not just about her looks, but it seems she’s uncertain about her very worth.  She doesn’t show her vulnerable side to anyone easily, but I doubt anyone here even recognized the signs but me.  The more I learn about her, the more complex she becomes to me, and the more irreplaceable she becomes, too.
    Gran is a sly little minx, but she caught me off guard earlier by saying what a good couple she thought Andi and Brandon would make.  Then laughed maniacally when she saw the look on my face.  I had no idea Andi got that necklace for Gran but she couldn’t have picked a better gift.  She remembered everything I’ve said about Gran and somehow knew exactly what to get her.  Seeing how much Gran was affected really gets to me in a good way.   
    I had to tell Andi how much I appreciate her but I didn’t want it to be a big display for everyone to hear, especially Brandon.  So I nuzzled close into her ear and whispered to her how amazing I think she is.  When she melted into my arms, I had to fight to keep from performing a totally inappropriate display of affection in my parents’ backyard. 
    She just feels so good in my arms, I don’t know how I can ever let her go.  And that very thought scares the shit out of me, so I eventually let her go and walked off to talk to my cousins.  Of course, they asked me about Andi and what’s going on with us. Damn, every single man there was more than willing to take her off my hands and they openly told me.  Bastards.
    My dad and my uncle approached me after I’d finished threatening my cousins’ lives if they so much as looked at Andi wrong.  Brandon had been lurking and listening to my conversations, in between watching Andi and doing everything he could to get into her conversations.  I turned to talk to my dad and uncle but still kept Andi in my sights – and Brandon.
    “Luke, your Uncle Alex and I have been talking to Andi,” my dad’s tone of voice was genial, instantly telling me how much he enjoyed that conversation, “and she told us all about what you’re doing at the gym.  How hard your training is.  How dedicated you are to it.  I just want you to know, son, how proud I am of you for sticking with it.  I believe in you, Luke, and I want you to know I understand, now, why you want this.”
    I was literally speechless.
    My Uncle Alex picked up the conversation, “Yeah, Luke.  Andi explained what it’s like to step into the ring and what it takes to even get ready to do something like that.  I’m damn impressed with you, Luke.  I can’t wait to see you make it big,” Uncle Alex’s sincerity was palpable.  Being Uncle Alex, he couldn’t help but add, “I’ll be sure to tell everyone I taught you everything you know.”
    I laughed at that and looked between the two brothers and I still didn’t really know what to say.  “Thanks, both of you.  I appreciate your support – it really means a lot to me.  I’ll even let you get away with taking the credit, Uncle Alex,” I added with a wink.  They carried a plate of food to the table and each clapped my shoulder in another show of support as they passed by.
    More people came up to me at different times during the party to congratulate me on my boxing career, telling me how impressed they are and giving me encouragement.  Every one of them had talked to Andi and with every conversation, Andi had apparently been singing my praises.  No one has ever done that for