Page 45 of Drive Me Crazy

"Go pee!" Maisyn laughs when we say it in unison.

Mack wobbles toward the office, yelling over her shoulder. "Don't say anything good until I get back! If I'm not back in a few, I'm stuck! Come, save me!"

"For the record, I will not go get her if she gets stuck on the toilet." I run my hand over my face.

Maisyn leans against the car next to me. "You know who we need to blame for this, right?"

"Boone?" I cock my brow, looking in the direction my best friend is in.

"No." She giggles. "I meant about Harper and you."

I scratch my beard. "Oh, yeah, that. Ahhhh me?"

"Again, no. But I can see how that makes sense. I'm talking about Landon." She elbows me when I grunt in agreement.

"Ain't that the truth! Had he not been my friend, I would've moved in on her like a bat in a cave." My mouth twitches as I repress a laugh.

Maisyn scrunches her nose. "Ewe! Terrible analogy, but I can also see it. Well, not see it, but I get it."

"Ya know, this could've been a major part of the problem." I side eye her.

She raises her brow. "What's that?"

"My friends now, are the same as then," I push off the car, easing away from her. "and you two have some serious issues!" I tap my temple with a wink.

"Oh, we know what the problem is! You, ya asshole!" She flips me off on her way to Mack's office.

I try to laugh it off, it's what I do best. Mack would probably say I repressed everything, but to be honest, at this point I've pushed Harper so far away, that there may never be a 'what if.'

I bury myself into my work, there's a lot to be said in beating out your thoughts and feelings. No matter how hard I try, she's never distant enough for me to forget about her.

My one reprieve is the fact I know she's safe and he can't get to her. Throughout the day, I continue to receive updates on her security and his whereabouts.

Monday's are always fast-paced and today isn't any different. Once the garage is clear, I hurry upstairs to get a shower. I'm in and out quickly, hoping to get a few hours' sleep before I head out.

I fall into bed, exhausted. "I better set my alarm; I may never wake up with the way I feel right now." I mumble to myself, reaching for my phone.

I squint at the screen and fix it for ten and fall fast asleep.

* * *

Beep...beep... beep.

I slap at the ear-piercing sound on my nightstand. "No way that was two hours." I drag my ass up, grabbing the first clean clothes I can find. A toothbrush and a ball cap later, I'm on my way.

A quick drive up Highway Seventeen, I pass the street to my home and turn left onto the dirt road just above it. I roll down the window as I approach the back gate, I hit the numbers required for entrance.

I pull through, watching for it to close before driving on. The back road is close enough that I can see the lights to my parent's home, Landon, and Scout's, and even Emerson and Aksel's across the street from mine.

"Damn girl, this ole dirt path brings you back to me every time. I swear, I can even smell that sweet strawberry scent of yours." Thoughts of her as I pass that old barn elicit a smile from me, I can't control. "I'd give every damn thing to be lying next to you in that ole thing again."

I park my ride under the canopy of trees just off the path and slide from the seat. After I pull my jacket from the back and put it on. I like to make my rounds, to settle my own nerves.

I find my place underneath the old oak tree, mere feet away from her. The house is lit up like Christmas with lights on in every room. I don't have a clue how they sleep with it looking like day inside.

"Where are you tonight, Harper?" I search every window, hoping to get a glance at her. The back door opens, and Aksel stalks toward me. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Let me get closer, we don't want her to know right now." He fades into the night, but not enough that I can't keep my eyes on him.