Dance to This Beat

“Good morning.”

I turned around just before Jon wrapped his arms around me.

Laughing, I replied, “G’mornin’ to you too.”

He kissed me then let go. I turned back to the stove to flip the pancakes. “Where is everybody?”

“Still asleep,” Jon replied.

“Lazies.”

He laughed. “Yeah, Miss 'Look-It’s-Seven-In-The-Morning-I’d-Better-get-Up'."

“Oh, whatever. I sleep in.”

“Uh huh. Sure.”

“I do,” I protested.

“Like when?”

“Uh…. Good question.”

“So never, right?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

He laughed again and pointed down to the platter of pancakes. “Those look good.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Guys?” a groggy voice asked from the kitchen doorway.

Jon and I turned around to face a sleepy Brendon.

“G’mornin’ sunshine,” I laughed quietly.

“Shut the fuck up.”

I stuck my tongue out at him then turned back to the stove.

“So where’s Spencer keep the aspirin? I’m in desperate need.”

“I’d say in the bathroom.”

“I’ve already checked both and all I’ve found is Pepto Bismal and an unopened box of condoms.” A laughing smile played on his face.

I rolled my eyes at him and tried not to laugh.

------

“This is real good, Claire. Thanks,” Spencer complimented.

“It’s no big. I like cooking,” I replied.

“Then we’re having sleepovers more often,” Bren laughed. He was much happier since we found the aspirin.

“Dude. You’re a loser,” Jon said to him.

“And…?”

Ryan checked the clock. “I’ve got to leave in a little bit. I promised mom I’d run to the grocery for her.”

“So you’re her slave, too?”

“Shut up, Spencer.”

”What happened to y’all talkin’ about my damn good pancakes?” I joked.

Ryan stood up from the table and left.

“Damn it, Spencer. You know how he gets,” Brendon sighed.

Spence bowed his head.

I hadn’t been here for very long, but I did know what they were talking about. They were referring to Ry’s ex-girlfriend. She cheated on him while still treating him like total shit.

I checked my phone. “I better jet. Momma’s expectin’ me soon.”

Jon walked to the porch with me. “I’m gonna stay here for a little longer, okay?”

“Yeah. That’s fine.”

“Alright. See ya later then.”

I nodded, and he pulled me into a loving hug. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

------

“Honey, I’m home,” I called.

Mom came out of the kitchen laughing. “Hi, sweetie. Did ya have fun last night?”

“Lots,” I grinned. “Then I made pancakes this mornin’.”

“That’s good.”

I nodded and thought for a minute. “Momma, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, anything.”

“Well it’s more like telling, but--“

“Claire. Just get on with the point.”

I laughed. “Jon and I are getting serious really fast.”

“What do you mean? Did you…?”

“No! Nothin’ like that. We’re just tellin’ each other we love each other an’ stuff like that.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Well?”

“Well what? Sure, your relationship with him is a lot faster than all the other relationships you’ve been in, but maybe that’s what you need. All the other ones were too slow with nice Southern boys. Now you’ve got a faster one with a nice Northern boy. I think it’s good for you.”

I nodded in understanding. “Okay. Thanks.”

“You’re very welcome darlin’.”