Page 126 of Crazy Thing

We’re tired. We’re sweaty. And I don’t know about the rest of them, but I want to go home. Yet for some reason, Archer has us walking halfway across town instead of taking the quicker route back to where our cars are parked.

“You’re acting real strange, man,” Nolan says, lethargically bouncing the basketball down the pavement alongside him.

But it’s safe to say that Archer doesn’t give a shit about our complaints right now. He’s too busy craning his neck to get a look through the hardware store’s front glass. I follow his stare and suddenly, everything makes sense.

Layla is behind the front counter, chatting and laughing with a customer as she rings up his order.

“Come,” Archer says suddenly. “I need, um, a screwdriver. I need to buy a screwdriver.”

Nolan and I share a look.

“Yeah. Very convincing,” Mason mutters while stealing the ball from Nolan.

We follow Archer through the door and the bell dings.

Layla looks up from the cash register and greets us with a smile. “Hey guys! What brings you by today?”

“You mean aside from the fact that Archer wanted to come in here and salivate over his crush?” Nolan grumbles out the side of his mouth.

Archer speaks loudly, drowning out Nolan’s voice, eyes on Layla the whole time. “How’s the job going so far?”

“I’m loving it, actually,” she says, beaming.

“Greg is not too grumpy and brooding for you?” Archer demands protectively.

Layla only laughs. “Not at all. I have a lot of experience dealing with grumpy, brooding men, thanks to my favorite grumpy, brooding neighbor.” She playfully punches Archer in the shoulder and I watch the color red streak up his neck.

He’s blushing. Ha!

Layla doesn’t seem to notice as she grins. “Seriously, though. Thank you again for talking to Greg for me.”

“No problem.” Archer nods, a glint of contentedness in his eyes even as he tries to downplay it. “I’m just glad you’re settling in here.”

“I am,” Layla assures him. “After bouncing around from job to job over the past year, I can really see myself working here for a while. Until Sky is a little older and more independent, y’know?”

“That’s good. That’s good.”

He stares longingly at her. She stares longingly at him. This is getting old.

I check my watch before giving Archer a shove. “Are we gonna get that screwdriver or what?”

Yeah, yeah. Layla and Archer are ‘cute’ and all with their weird pussyfooting around each other but I don’t have time for this silly game. My girl’s at home waiting for me. I need to get to her.

Archer clears his throat, shoving both hands into his front pockets. “We’re gonna get to shopping.”

Layla bobs her head, her smile lingering. “Happy, uh, happy shopping!” Her eyes momentarily flit to the rest of us before rebounding to Archer. “Let me know if you need anything.”

Even as he’s walking away, Archer can’t take his eyes off of Layla. That’s how he ends up in a violent head-on collision with a display of car air fresheners. Little scented pine trees sail to the floor.

“Oh my gosh!” Layla gasps, hand over her mouth as she rushes around the counter. “Are you okay?” Her eyes are wide with concern.

Archer hurriedly scoops everything up, fumbling to place the packets back on their hooks. “I’m okay. I’m okay.”

Layla quickly takes them from his hands. “Here. Let me.”

Archer mumbles an embarrassed ‘thank you’. He limps away, head hung, holding onto his shin.

I shake my head.

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