Crazy Maybe by A. D. Justice Page A

me before and at this point, I’ve lost count of how many times this girl has saved my ass in one way or another.  And that only adds to my belief that I do not deserve her.  At all.
    Still, she deserved to know what she’s done so when I found her alone in the backyard, I intended only to walk up to her and thank her.  But somehow my arms automatically went around her waist and I pulled her firmly against me and melted into her.  She looked so small and alone, just staring off into the yard, so I asked what she was thinking.
    I don’t think her answer was at all what she was thinking but I let it go.  When she told me how proud my family is of me, I finally remembered the original reason why I walked out her to her.  I turned her around in my arms and told her that it was only because of her and what she’d said to them.  The way she was looking at me had me completely tongue tied.  She wanted to say something, I was sure of it, but she kept it in.  I was trying, however unsuccessfully, to tell her how important she is to me when Brandon had to fucking interrupt with his question.
    I know Andi felt me tense up when Brandon said it looked like we were more than friends.  And I saw the disappointed look on her face when I didn’t confirm it.  Of course we looked like more than friends but it’s none of his damn business.  The thing is, I know I should have just said it.  I should’ve just told Brandon, and Andi, that I’m already crazy about her and I want us to be more than just friends, but I didn’t.  Andi pulled away and started cleaning up from the party while Brandon and I faced off again.
    When Andi went around the house, Brandon’s anger flared at me, “ She’s. Not. Megan!   You have to stop blaming yourself for that.  It wasn’t your fault.  Everyone can see that but you!  Andi is great and she’s obviously crazy about you.”  The more Brandon talked, the madder he got.  He stuck his finger in my face when he continued, “You’re pushing her away, man.  When you lose her, you will be sorry.”
    I hissed back at him, insisting we’re just friends and we’ll never be more than that.  Brandon immediately called bullshit on me and when I didn’t answer, his demeanor completely changed.  He stared me straight in the eye and said, “All right, brother.  I believe you.  So, if you’re just friends, you won’t care when I call her and ask her out. Right?  Mind putting in a good word for me?”
    The motherfucker wasn’t even kidding.  He’s not just goading me – he really wants to try to take Andi away from me.  Right at that moment, Andi came back around the house and called out to me, asking if I was ready to take her home.  I said the first thing that came to my mind after Brandon’s unbelievable request.
    “What if I don’t want to let you go?”
    I saw Brandon’s smirk but ignored him.  Dick.   Thankfully Andi didn’t seem to notice it but her answer, and more specifically her tone, was unusually cold when she said I’d survive without her.  Where the hell did that come from?  I know the disgusted look Brandon gave me all too well – he really wanted to punch me in the face. 
    Andi then hugged Brandon goodbye and his eyes met mine when he took her in his arms.  The challenging look in his eyes said, “ If you don’t make her yours, I will damn sure make her mine.”  Over my dead fucking body, brother.  Andi went inside to say goodbye to the rest of my family and I followed after her to keep her close to me, keep her away from Brandon, and to keep from getting into a brawl with my brother.
    Andi was quiet on the way back to her house and I know why.  I know she was thinking about what Brandon asked, what he insinuated, and how I didn’t confirm it to him.  I let her down and I don’t know how to fix it now.  I should’ve said it at the house, in front of the whole damn family, and told her how wonderful and amazing she is.  But I just drove on