Page 21 of Always There Bayou (The BR Bayou #3)

They nodded, and we walked over to our suitcases to decide on what to wear today.

About 30 minutes later, we were fully dressed and heading down the stairs to where our families were busy catching up around the table.

When we entered, everyone greeted us, and of course, a million questions were asked.

They were still trying to figure out how we finally decided to start dating.

After about 15 minutes of answering their questions in a way that would both satisfy them without going too into detail, they finally changed the subject to what we had on the itinerary for the next few days.

After lunch, we were gonna head out and get the tree like we did every year.

There was a tree farm in town that had been around longer than I’d been alive.

I loved visiting it because the owners were always so lovely, and they served the best hot chocolate I've ever had. I could already taste it on my tongue.

Once Denny and I had eaten, we went out to get the snowmobiles ready for the drive down to the town.

My dad had a sled attachment that we’d use to bring it back up the mountain.

It was attached to two snowmobiles, and the load was distributed between them, making it easier to pull.

I grabbed my helmet and passed one to Denny.

They thanked me and then climbed on the back of my snowmobile.

As we rode down the snowy mountainside, I could feel the wind whip around me.

Although it was cold, the smell of the trees and freshly fallen snow made up for it.

I let the serenity of the world around me wrap me up, and I felt like I was being transported to another realm of calm.

Being in nature was something that I always longed for, and my stomach danced with the thought that this could be my life 24/7 one day. Maybe soon.

Honestly, as much as I loved basketball, I’d been thinking about retiring for the past couple of years now.

I know that I was only 34, but I’d been playing professionally for about 12 years now, and…

I don’t know…something inside of me just wanted to take a step back from that.

Besides, my chronic back pain was only getting worse with each game, so I figured that I was nearing my end anyway.

But I was a bit hesitant because all I’ve ever known is basketball, and I’ve never had a chance to try anything else career-wise.

I mean, yeah, I helped Denny and Lilah around the shop and the studio when I could, but much like Harley, I’d never had an actual job.

Yeah, I gave her shit for it, but in reality, I was more spoiled than she was.

M y siblings and I never wanted for anything after we moved in with our dad.

Working was more of a hobby than anything.

I knew that I was privileged, but I never took that for granted, mainly because it allowed me to focus on basketball and school without interruptions.

I spent all my free time playing basketball because I was so sure that I would want to play well into my late 30s, but I wasn’t so sure that’s what I wanted these days. I hadn’t told anyone other than Harley and Simone that I was thinking about retiring, not even Denny.

Why?

Well, because I wasn’t entirely sure about anything yet. I had the next couple of months to decide whether I wanted to return next season. Hopefully, by then, I’d made up my mind.

“It feels so good out here,” I hear Denny call behind me, and I nod. Their voice tickled my ear and sent a chill down my spine. They hugged me tighter around the waist. “I wish I could stay out here forever.”

“Me too,” I reply as we pull into the designated parking spots for snowmobiles where the bottom of the mountain meets the edge of town.

A lot of people used snowmobiles to navigate the snow here, so about a decade ago, the town designated a portion specifically for people to park them since they couldn’t be ridden into the town square.

We all climbed off and pulled off our helmets.

The wind blew a gust past us, and I was glad that I had bundled up with triple layers.

I glance over at Denny and hold my hand out for them to take.

We made our way down the short path to the Christmas tree farm.

Luckily, it was only a few yards from where we’d parked.

It used to be in the middle of town, but they relocated it here to avoid people dragging trees through the streets.

Now, it was easier for us to pick one out and transport it back to the sled. Everyone loved the convenience.

As our family split to look at the different trees, Denny and I strolled over to the stand where they sold the hot chocolate. I didn’t care about picking out a tree and was always fine with whichever one of the others got.

“Well, look who we have here,” the owner, Jeffery, greets us. “I figured that I would see you soon, Cory. Who’s your friend?”

“Oh, this is my best friend and partner, Denny,” I introduce. “Denny, this is Jeffery. His family owns this tree farm, and he mans the hot chocolate. It’s the best in the world, I promise you.”

“There you go, boosting my head up again,” he laughs before turning towards Denny. “It’s nice to meet you, Denny. Cory has talked about you before, so I can’t believe I’m finally getting to meet you.”

“Oh, she talks about me?” Denny smiles at me, and I playfully roll my eyes.

“Yes, and between you and me,” he says, leaning forward to whisper playfully. “She likes you a lot. Every time she mentioned you, she always had the biggest smile on her face.”

“Well, it’s a good thing she’s my girlfriend, then, huh?” Denny jokes and Jeffery nods, belting out a laugh that could rival Santa’s. I could do nothing but smile as I shook my head.

“ Y’all are a trip,” I say. “Now come on, old man, and show Denny how you make the best cup of hot cocoa.”

“Yeah, she talked you up so now I gotta see what all the hype is about,” they nod.

“Oh, trust me, love. Once you’ve had ‘ole Jeffery’s hot chocolate, you’ll dream of it for the rest of your life,” he boasts, winking. Denny giggles as he begins to work his magic.

We watch as he cuts up bars of chocolate and melts them down. “Are you okay with mint?” He asks Denny, and they nod enthusiastically. “Perfect. What about cinnamon?”

“I love it!” They assure him. He nods.

“And here we are,” he says as he places two coffee cups of the delicious beverage in front of us. He added a few marshmallows and red and white striped candy canes before placing the tops on. “My specialty.”

“Thank you, Jeffery,” I smile, handing him a $20 bill. “Keep the change.”

“Thank you, love,” he nods before stuffing the bill into his pocket. He turns his attention back to Denny as they take a sip of the drink.

“Whoa, this is MAGICAL,” they exclaim before blowing and taking another sip. “I see why you never stop raving about it, babe. This is damn near orgasmic.”

“I told you,” I chuckle, and Jeffery nods. I grab their hand. “Come on and let's sit so you won’t spill anything on your shirt.”

They nod and follow me, but not before telling Jeffery thanks one more time. We take a seat on one of the benches and people -watch as we enjoy our drinks. They are a bunch of families and couples going around looking from tree to tree to find the perfect one.

It was still cold as hell out here, but the hot chocolate did a great job of keeping us warm.

Denny kept going on and on about how good it was and downed their drink in a matter of minutes.

I bought them another cup, and then I bought one more for myself before we headed over to help with the tree that our families had picked out.

The ride back up to the cabin went by quickly, and soon, we were all helping to move the tree inside, setting it up, and then getting to decorating.

The house was filled with laughter and the sound of my dad’s favorite Christmas playlist. Mama B and Aunt Daphne got started on dinner with the help of Imani and Delilah occasionally, so the smells in the house were immaculate.

There was a football game that the guys were watching on TV, but neither Denny nor I was interested.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of football, and Denny wasn’t a sports person at all.

Besides a bit about basketball, they didn’t know a single thing about them, and they didn’t care to.

They’ve always been more into the arts in all forms.

That’s why I was so excited about the gift I’d gotten for them.

A couple of months ago, when I learned that their favorite musical, A Long Trip to Nowhere, was being turned into a movie musical and playing in theaters, I jumped at the opportunity to go all out for the perfect gift.

I rented out an entire theater just for us so that they could watch it and whatever other movies they wanted for the entire day.

I mean, of course, they’d seen it already because they had no idea what I’d planned, but I knew that they would still enjoy it again.

This date was scheduled for the 29th, and I couldn’t wait to see the excitement on their face when they opened my gift in a few days with clues explaining what I was going to do.

Honestly, I’d do anything to see them smile, and as I sat there on the sofa running my thumb across the back of their hand as I held it, I realized that that had always been the case.

Ever since we were kids in middle school, I’d always done whatever to make them happy.

Back then, it was because I was grateful to have a friend who loved and accepted me for who I was.

As we got older, that was still true; however, my feelings for them also played a role.

I didn’t wanna see them hurt or sad or sick or mad.

All I ever cared about was them being happy, and I didn’t care who I had to knock down or push aside for it to happen.