lost in my thoughts when I heard my phone ding with a message. I quickly grabbed it off the nightstand and all my thoughts of Cass immediately vanished when I saw that it was Clutch.
Clutch:
Morning, Sunshine. I’m headed that way. It’s done.
Me:
It’s really over?
Clutch:
It’s really over.
Me:
Why didn’t you call last night?
You had me scared to death.
Clutch:
I sent you a message last night. Check your phone.
Sure enough, when I scrolled up, three messages from him popped up on my screen. The stupid burner had been screwing up since Clutch had given it to me before we left for the clubhouse, and I decided right then I was getting a real phone as soon as possible.
Me:
I hate this phone. They just came through.
Clutch:
Sorry I had you worried.
I will call tonight when I stop for the night.
Me:
Okay. Can’t wait to see you. Be careful.
Clutch:
Always.
Thankfully it was Sunday, so most of the guys had gone home to spend time with their families. With only a few quick breaks to grab something to eat in the kitchen, the kids and I spent most of the afternoon watching movies in my room. Just as we were getting ready for bed, Clutch called to let me know that he would be home late the following afternoon. Knowing that he was really okay, I was finally able to get a good night’s sleep. The following morning, I slept in late, and by the time I had gotten up and had my shower, the kids were nowhere to be found. Worried that they might be into something, I tried to find them. I still didn’t know my way around very well so I got completely turned around and ended up running into Cotton as he was coming out of his office.
He smiled and asked, “Hey, Olivia. Is everything alright?”
“Yes. Everything is good.” I laughed anxiously. The man seemed perfectly nice with his salt and pepper hair and kind eyes, but he was the president of Clutch’s club. The last thing I wanted to do was say the wrong thing. My mind went completely blank as I stood there just staring at him, but I finally managed to blurt out, “I was just looking for the kids and got a little lost.”
His lips curled into a smile as he said, “I bet they are in the game room. It’s just down the hall on your left.”
“I’ll go check. Thanks.” Still feeling nervous, I smiled and walked down the hall.
Just as I was about to turn into the game room, Cotton yelled, “Olivia?”
I turned to face him. “Yes?”
“Your other left.” He laughed as he pointed to the room across the hall from where I was standing.
I threw my hands up in the air as I shook my head and shouted, “Thank you!”
I felt like a complete idiot as I turned around and entered the correct room. Thankfully, Hadley and Charlie were there playing some crazy game on the club’s gaming system. I sat down on the sofa and watched as they played basketball, some crazy war game, and by the time they started their third game, I’d just about had enough. The blaring noise from the television and their excited screams were giving me a headache, and I thought I would just about lose my mind until Cassidy came to rescue me.
My mind went straight back to my conversation with Smokey as she stood in the doorway and asked, “We’re making up some hamburgers for the guys to grill out. Would you and the kids like to join us?”
In a different circumstance, I might have hesitated, but the thought of staying in that room for one more second had me jumping up from the sofa. “Sure! That would be great. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Absolutely,” she answered. “Come with me to the kitchen and we’ll get things started.”
In just a couple of hours, we had everything set to go: chips and dip, beans, potato salad, and tons of desserts. Several of the guys were gathered around the grill cooking the burgers while Henley and I helped Cassidy set everything out on the picnic tables. When I looked around, it wasn’t difficult to see why Clutch loved the club like he did. They were all like one big family, and I felt blessed just to be there with them. The more I was around Cassidy, the more I decided that I truly liked her. She had been so