“Yeah, I gathered that,” Grant nodded.
“When I wrote the first letter, I was angry about what happened at camp…how things ended between us,” Hailey said. “But…in the second letter…” Hailey looked away, embarrassed.
“What about the second letter?” Grant asked.
“I wasn’t angry in the second letter,” Hailey shook her head confidently.
“Then you should really work on your communication skills,” Grant laughed, “because letter number two was decidedly more damaging to my ego than letter number one.”
Hailey stood. She walked down the porch steps and into the yard, nervously fidgeting with her hands as she walked. “Yeah,” she smiled coyly, “but I wasn’t angry about what happened at camp. I wasn’t angry about getting caught in your room and being made by coaches and counselors to feel like some promiscuous girl that I’m not. I guess I was angry though…angry that you hadn’t replied to my first letter.”
Grant followed Hailey into the yard. “You mean to tell me that you intended me to reply to that first letter?” he exclaimed.
“Duh,” Hailey nodded.
Grant raised his eyebrow. “Well, I’m sorry, Snookums, but I have always been under the apparently misguided impression that, and I quote, ‘I am thankful you and I will never have a reason to speak again,’ meant that a letter from me was the last thing you wanted.”
“Read between the lines, Grant,” Hailey huffed.
“I wrote back,” Grant nodded, staring at the ground.
“What?” Hailey gasped. “I didn’t get it.”
“That’s because I couldn’t bring myself to hit SEND,” Grant shook his head.
Hailey seemed confused. “Why?” she rolled her eyes. “Because your insults were more pointed that mine, more hateful, coldhearted and clever, and you thought your expansive vocabulary and your off-beat sense of humor might crush my poor, little, country girl spirit?”
“Something like that,” Grant lied.
“I have to know… what was I to you, just some hookup?” Hailey practically yelled. When Grant didn’t respond, Hailey shoved him away from her.
“You know,” Grant smiled, “you really have some anger management issues that need to be addressed.”
Hailey hit him again, harder this time.
“Alright, Sweetheart,” Grant said sarcastically. “Hit me again, and I’m gonna ignore the fact that, despite your best efforts to mask it, you’re technically a girl, and I’m gonna start treating you like you’re just one of the guys.”
“You’re all talk,” Hailey rolled her eyes.
“Try me,” Grant shrugged.
Hailey shoved Grant again, popping him upside the head for good measure.
“Okay, you asked for it,” Grant laughed.
Hailey giggled as Grant grabbed her arms, spun her around and pulled her close to him, squeezing her tight. “Whatcha gonna do now, huh?” he smiled.
Hailey raised her eyebrow as she smiled up at him. “If this is how you’d deal with one of the guys, then maybe you’ve got some issues of your own that need to be addressed.”
Grant laughed easily as he and Hailey locked eyes.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Hailey said, wrinkling her nose.
Grant shook his head. “While I am choosing to abstain from physical violence at this point, I reserve the right to look at you any way I so desire.”
“Have it your way,” Hailey smiled, “but if anybody else sees you looking at me that way, you’re gonna have a hard time convincing them that the longing look in your eyes is actually a clever disguise intended to hide the intense repulsion that overcomes you while in my presence.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want that,” Grant smiled back.
“No, of course not,” Hailey shook her head.
“Should I pick a fight with you, just to be on the safe side?” Grant suggested.
“That’s probably a good idea,” Hailey agreed. “That way we’re both comfortable.”
“Daddy’s girl!” Grant fired at her.
“Army brat!” Hailey barked back.
“Tomboy!” Grant laughed.
“Pretty Boy,” Hailey said, sticking her tongue out victoriously.
“Hick,” Grant winked.
“Prrrr…” Hailey opened her mouth to fire back at him, but she stopped, blushing.
“Say it, Hailey!” Grant urged with a bump of his hip.
