“Well, whatever you want, it’s yours, Bits. Nothing is too much or too pricey. Got it?”
“Even a MacBook?” I asked.
“Even a MacBook,” he chuckled.
I nodded, still chewing on my bottom lip. “Got it.”
The game was tied and had shifted into another inning. Dad was pumped. Of course the Braves won. After the game, we were back in Cane’s car. He took us home and bid us a goodnight. Dad was pretty hammered, so I helped him to the couch. He was lucky he didn’t have to work until the next night. He crashed on the couch and I went upstairs, giddily reliving the conversations I’d had with Cane.
I’d even dreamt about him that night.
The dream was so vivid that it lugged me out of my sleep. I woke up with a gasp, my panties damp, and my core tight and raw. My nipples were taut, prodding through the white camisole, and I don’t know why, but I was working hard to catch my breath.
Holy shit. I’d dreamt of Cane using his mouth on me. Everywhere. Sucking. Licking. Tasting.
I had a hard time going back to sleep. I was so wound up.
The next morning, I felt the weight of my secret crush hit me hard as Dad made me coffee, whipped up some pancakes, and cut up some fruit for me, despite his obvious hangover. I felt awful because there I was, crushing on his best friend, dying to do things with him that would have sent my father over the edge if he knew.
What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I get over this stupid crush already? It was almost like the more time I spent around Cane, the more I craved him.
Maybe it was a good thing I was going to college. I would be away from him for months, and would probably forget all about the crush when I had an entire university of hot guys to choose from.
I told myself I would forget Cane eventually, but deep down, I knew it wouldn’t happen. When someone is on your mind day and night, how do you possibly forget them?
It didn’t help that there was a delivery the day after my guilt trip. Mom brought the box up to my room and left me to open it. It was packaged nicely, wrapped in purple and white tissue paper, and was made out to me, but didn’t say whom it was from. Inside was a stack of notebooks, pens, and…a MacBook. A fucking MacBook! At the sight of the laptop, I knew it could only be from one person.
I couldn’t believe it.
I’d been using Mom’s computer for most of my research and schoolwork, but a laptop? I squealed. I squealed so loudly that Mom rushed back to my room to ask what was wrong. When I showed her, she couldn’t believe it herself.
“Well, I guess we can scratch that off the list, huh? And look, it’s the rose gold one you wanted!”
“I know!”
“It has to be from Cane. He spoils you, you know that?” She pursed her lips. “He’d better put a lid on that before he ends up broke!” She laughed on her way to the door. “Make sure you call him and thank him!” When she left me to it, I grabbed my phone and called right away.”
He answered after the third ring. Yes, I counted. I always counted the rings, the minutes, the hours, and the days—especially the days when he wasn’t around. The longest he’d gone without visiting was three weeks.
“Hey, Bits,” he answered.
“Hi, Cane. So, um…I got a delivery today. Judging by how expensive it is, I’m pretty sure it’s from you.”
“Really? Hmm… I don’t remember sending a package. What was in it?”
“Oh my gosh, don’t play dumb. I know it’s from you, Cane! The MacBook? Dad refused to get me the Mac, so I know it wasn’t from him. I’m so excited right now!”
Cane chuckled, and I swear it made the tightness at my core even tighter. I wanted to drop the phone and run to him. Run as fast as I could, jump into his arms, and kiss him. “I’m glad you’re excited about it, Kandy. It’s the least I could do.”
“The least? Are you kidding me? This is…it’s so great, Cane. Thank you so much. Seriously.”
“You’re welcome. I still want you to think about a going-away gift you’d like before you go. This was a gift from me because your parents were talking about how badly you wanted one and how they didn’t want to spend so much money on your first laptop. They agreed to let me get it for you as a gift, but I’m sure there will be something special you’ll need more. Just let me know, all right? Also, don’t forget to thank them.”
“Okay. I won’t.” I sucked on my bottom lip before releasing it. “You’re the best, Cane.” Something possessed me to say that. I shouldn’t have because it made me seem desperate and lame, but I was glad he took it with a grain of salt.