Silent No More(47)

“What’s up with you and Mr. Tall, Dark and Oh So Sexy?” I ask as I hand her beer back to her.

“Girl, I don’t remember the last time my girly parts have seen so much action.” She can’t stop glancing at him. I move beside her and we both lean back against the railing, staring at the men.

“That good, huh?” I ask as I reach for her beer again and take another sip.

“Fuck yes,” she declares, snatching her beer back and downing the rest of its contents.

“Come on, let’s go hang out with the others.” We both pop off the railing at the same time and walk over to the seating area where Nikki, Stacy, Ben, and Kyle are still talking. Apparently, they are discussing Knocked Out when I take a seat on Ben’s lap. Katelyn crunches in the middle of Stacy and Nikki on the couch.

“Did you know Nikki owns Knocked Out?” Ben asks me.

“No, I did not,” I answer. That’s cool. Perhaps I’ll switch gyms if Nick doesn’t mind. I saw a few people boxing when I was there a few weeks ago. I’ve been so busy with the house that I haven’t been to a boxing class since I met Nick.

“You know Shannon boxes,” Kyle chimes in talking to Nikki.

“Really?” Nikki says looking at me. She sounds excited. “That’s awesome. Tomorrow you have to come up there and show me how good you are.”

“Sure, but it’s been a couple of weeks. I probably suck already.” I doubt I suck, but no need to boast in front of a professional. I’m pretty sure she could kick my ass in less than five seconds.

“Shannon doesn’t suck. She’s been boxing since high school,” Stacy tells her. Like she knows how good I am. None of my friends have seen me box before, so I’m not sure why she thinks I’m good.

“I only do it for a great workout to stay in shape,” I lie to all of them. Really, I do it so I don’t feel helpless and weak again. That’s not something I ever want to face again. I shut that awful thought out of my mind and get off Ben’s lap when I see Nick walking in my direction. I meet him half-way.

“Beer?” he asks, holding a Rolling Rock out in front of me.

“Yes, thank you.” I happily take it and down half the bottle. There are just some things that should stay buried deep in the past.

The rest of the night goes great. The food is outstanding and my friends are getting along great with Nick’s. Things couldn’t be more perfect than in this moment.





* * * * *





The next morning, I get up and cook breakfast while Nick is still sleeping. The dogs follow me out of the bedroom and I let them out onto the deck. It’s not too early. The clock on the stove reads 8:03am. I guess all my stragglers from last night already left this morning. I remember Ben crashing in Niko’s chair, and Kyle was asleep on the couch when I went to bed.

I grab a large skillet from under the stove and set it to medium heat on the gas range. Reaching into a cabinet, I pull out a large bowl. I want to make pancakes, so I grab all the ingredients I need and start whipping the batter up.

I’m not a great cook; well, if I’m honest, I don’t even qualify as a good cook. This batter comes from a box of Bisquick with a little milk and eggs added. I put a bit of oil in the pan just as Nick places his hands on my hips and leans down to kiss my neck, causing me to squirm a little as his facial hair tickles my skin.

“Good morning to you too,” I say as I set the oil down on the counter and turn around facing him. Nick and I have settled into a routine that is light and easy. I’m not so sure I should be feeling as good as I do. I love spending as much time with him as possible. When I’m with him, everything seems to flow naturally, but in the back of my head, there is this voice that keeps saying, “Slow down”. I just don’t want to listen to it.

“It is certainly a good morning if I’m waking up to someone cooking me breakfast.” He wraps his arms around my waist and I wrap mine around his neck. No, that pesky voice needs to jump off a damn cliff and drown. I like feeling this happy with Nick.

“Don’t get too excited. I’m not a chef, and it’s only pancakes.” I stand up on my tippy toes and kiss him on the lips. He releases me to go to the backdoor to let the dogs in. Once they are in, he grabs their food and fills their bowls.

“Nikki sent me a text asking to bring you by Knocked Out today. What is with you and my sister?” Nick asks as he takes a seat at the island counter.

“Kyle ran his mouth last night telling her I box. Now, she wants to know how badly I suck,” I tell him as I pour batter into the skillet.

“This I gotta see.” His elbows are on the counter top, and he has his chin resting in his right palm while watching me.