One Simple Step (Journey #3)

“I can try.” I walked to the other side of the counter and slid out one of the barstools as she pushed a cup of coffee towards me, humming a song and swaying her hips. Yup, I wouldn’t mind it one bit. Who wouldn’t want to have this before going to work every day? “Since when are you a morning person?”


She shook her head as she set two plates down and sat next to me. “I’m still not a morning person, I just wanted to do something nice for you to thank you for last night.” She popped a piece of bacon into her mouth as I sipped on my black coffee. “I had to set my alarm so I could get up before you, and I think I ended up hitting the snooze button twice. You didn’t budge once. I think I tired you out.”

“Oh, trust me, I still have plenty of energy left for you…anytime…anywhere.” I rubbed my hand across the countertop, and she giggled.

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but I don’t think it would be good if you showed up late, since you run the place and all.”

“They wouldn’t even notice.” I spun her chair towards mine, and reached out, popping the top button open on my shirt that she had on. “So, I think I’ll just—”

“No way, Nicholas Bennett.” She stopped my hand from working its way down to the next button. “I have stuff to do today, and you need to get to work.” She stood up, grabbing her plate, and setting it in the sink. “So, finish up, we can pick this up later after Clammy’s tonight if you’re a good boy.” She ran a hand through my hair as she passed me, and padded down the hallway. “I’m going to take a shower.”

Hell yeah.

“Alone,” she added over her shoulder and I sat back down. She knew me way too well.




Ally



“Alright, Throw-down Thursday is on. Remy, you in?” Danny held up a shot glass for her, setting it down when she nodded her head, eyeing the small amount of liquor.

“Don’t worry, after a while I just start adding water to ‘em. You should see the look on his face when he actually thinks I’m keeping up with him.”

Remy laughed, picking up the shot and tossing her head back as she drained it. “I’ve got to see that, I can’t believe he hasn’t figured it out yet.”

“Figured what out?” Danny asked placing an arm around each of our shoulders.

“Oh, nothing,” I replied in a singsong voice, smiling when I saw Nick walk through the front entrance.

“Shit, are you two gonna be all sappy now that he’s here?” Danny knocked his fist against Nick’s and dropped back into his seat as Nick took his next to me.

“Hey, babe, you look amazing as always.” He placed a kiss behind my ear, and then scooped up the glass that Danny had slid across the table to him as soon as he sat down. “What’s going on, dude? Grant and Riley showing up tonight?”

“Who knows?” Danny shrugged his shoulders, not tearing his eyes away from the game that was on. “Those two losers found chicks that make ‘em stay at home, and don’t let ‘em come out to play. Ally, on the other hand, is one in a million. You’re lucky, buddy.”

“Trust me, I know.” Nick flicked his blue eyes towards me, and I could see all of the love that he had for me just in that one simple glance. He reached over and wrapped my hands in his as he talked to Danny about all of the different games that were being played, and Remy and I caught up on things that had been going on.

I was surprised to hear that Ben was coming down for a two week visit, and Remy had taken vacation from work, so they could spend as much time as possible together. She wasn’t really sure where their relationship was going, especially since it was so long distance, but she was hoping that after spending some time together they would be able to figure things out.

I was glad that they both seemed to be so happy. I was secretly already thinking about Remy being my sister in law and I loved the idea. Now, she and Ben just needed to actually get to that point and figure out what they were doing and where things were going. I looked forward to, hopefully, being able to spend a little bit of time with my big brother, too.

“Alright, everyone.” I heard a microphone squeak, and my eyes were drawn to the small stage that sat next to the bar. In all of the times that I had been to Clammy’s, I had never seen it actually used. I recognized one of the waitresses with the microphone in her hand, and once the roar seemed to quiet down a bit, she gave everyone a wave. “I’m really excited that I get to be the one to announce this. We have a real big treat for y’all night.” She bounced excitedly a few times on the stage, and let out a tiny little giggle. “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I’m actually getting to say this, I’m a hu-ge fan. We have some very special guests in the house tonight. Please, give it up for the Major Hoosiers!”

The restaurant exploded with clapping, whistling, and even some catcalls, I’m sure from many of the female patrons. And I’m pretty sure my jaw came unhinged with how far it had dropped. This could not be happening.

C.A. Williams's books