Crazy Maybe by A. D. Justice Page A

need to back off.  I want to spend time with her, getting to know her and give whatever this is between us a fighting chance.  Reluctantly, I slow the pace until I can naturally pull away from her.
    We’re both panting like we’ve just finished a marathon and we’re forehead to forehead.  After taking a minute to catch my breath, I finally feel like I can speak.  I step back so I can see her full reaction to my words.
    “Andi, whatever this is between us, I want us to take it slow.” 
    She gives me a skeptical look, like she thinks I’m feeding her a line.  She pushes herself off the wall to stand up straight and nods.
    “Fine, if you want to go slow, then we’ll go slowly.  But I need to know what you mean by ‘ whatever this is between us.’ ”
    I run my fingers through my hair in frustration.  I don’t know how to put in words what I’m feeling.  “I don’t know what it is.  I’m not a relationship kind of guy.  Or at least I haven’t been.  But I know I want you and I want to see where this goes.”
    My answer does not please her, this is evident from the fire in her eyes that is darting out at me.  But she controls it impressively.
    “All right, Luke.  We’ll see where it goes.  But just know that until you can say something other than you ‘want me,’ we’ll remain just friends.  And not friends with benefits.  We’ll get to know each other as friends first.”
    What the hell am I supposed to say to that?  I just backed my own damn self into a corner that she knows I can’t get out of.  I huff, loudly, run my fingers through my hair again, and finally agree to her terms.
    “Whatever you say, Andi.”
    “Do you have any plans for today, Luke?”
    “Nope.  What do you have in mind?”
    “I’ll dry my hair and we can go get some breakfast.  Then we’ll decide what to do from there.” 
    I nod and watch her walk back to her bathroom.  I brought a clean change of clothes with me last night just in case I didn’t make i t home from the club.  I grab them out of my truck and shower in the guest bedroom while Andi was still getting dressed.  Thirty minutes later, she’s ready to go and dressed casual in a tank top, shorts and sandals.   She has very little makeup on and her hair is pulled back again, and her beauty absolutely takes my breath away. 
    I didn’t get a chance to really look around last night after getting Andi home and carrying her into her house.  Not that she remembers, but she passed out before we even got her out of the club.  Her friends undressed her and put her in the bed.  I stayed with her because I was really worried about leaving her alone in that state. 
    I was threatened within an inch of my life by everyone in the group if I did anything to her – especially by Shane.  After a lot of promising, they finally left and I slept with one eye open in case she woke up and needed me.  Good thing for Andi, she slept the worst of it off and woke up feeling very little effects from her binge.
    I can’t take my eyes off her as we walk out of her house, which is actually a large, expensive home in a nice area on the outskirts of northeast Atlanta.  The sun is bright and she quickly puts her sunglasses on to shield her eyes.  We head to her car and she notices my truck parked in her driveway and her lips suddenly form a thin line.  I know she wants to ask me about how she got home and got naked, but she decides against it and unlocks her car.
    “I usually park in the garage, but there are some boxes in my parking spot.  I got home late yesterday and didn’t have time to move them.  But the other side is open if you want to move your truck inside.  I can get the other door opener.”
    She’s always so considerate.  I just can’t get over that she’s the ultimate beauty and personality package.
    I shake my head no, “It’s fine.  I don’t mind leaving it parked outside if you don’t mind.”
    She smiles, “Ok, let’s go eat