Page 100 of Stepbrothers

“You do that.” Hugh nodded. “But it’s not chaos, it’s our life. It’s us being together, and I’m really happy with our arrangement. I love having you here with us, Clarice.”

She smiled at him.

“Life is what’s left when you’ve gone through a bunch of crossroads,” Parker said. “We chose our route, at each crossroad we picked a turn, and this is where we are.”

“That’s very profound of you, Parker.”

“I can be profound.” He paused. “Sorry if we, and Trig, upset you earlier. We didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”

“I know you didn’t, but I’m not so sure about Trig.”

“He’s a good guy,” Hugh said firmly. “Just got a lot of testosterone pumping around his system. That’s what happens when your day job is getting shot at.”

“Says the guy who runs into burning buildings for a living.” She stood. “Leave this, I’ll help tidy when I’ve had a rest.”

“Don’t be silly.” Parker kissed the top of her head. “You got us organized with the cooking. We’ll clear up.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“Make sure you have a good clean behind the bins and the refrigerator,” Derek snapped the next day. “We’ve got inspection soon. Or have you forgotten that, too?” He tapped the side of his head and rolled his eyes.

Clarice didn’t know what else she’d forgotten of late. But the days rolled into each other at Grind ‘n’ Go, each one much the same as the rest. If only she could get some good news about the course. She’d be able to see an end to Derek and the relentless orders for cappuccinos, lattes, and Americanos.

“Two skinny lattes, please.”

“Good morning. Of course, what name?”

“Erica.”

She set to work. Derek headed into his office, brimming cappuccino in hand. He’d put two stone on at least since he’d taken over as her manager. Unsurprising when he sat on his butt consuming calories all day. No amount of masturbating to porn was going to burn them off.

The water hissed, and the milk frothed. She made the lattes without even thinking about it, cleaning the machine as she went.

“Here you go.” She turned with a smile. “Erica.”

“I told you to stop asking their damn names.” Derek was at her side again.

She jumped slightly at his nearness.

“You’re the only one making the coffee, you know who it is for.”

“Habit,” she said, moving away from him to the till.

“Dumb habit.”

To her relief, he sidled into his office again, this time holding a ham and cheese croissant.

Clarice pulled in a deep breath and carried on serving.

The morning rush made the time whizz by, then she had a few minutes to clean behind the bins. Which wasn’t dirty, she always kept the place spotless. Not that Derek would know.

She sent her mother a quick text, sending good wishes for the headache to be gone. The reply was that she was out to lunch at the golf club with girlfriends.

Lunchtime was busy as usual. The queue stretching right to the door. She worked as fast as she could. It was hot labor with the machine belching and hissing. She warmed up toasties at the same time, the scent of melting cheese and bacon combining with the smell of coffee. Her stomach rumbled. She was getting ready for a lunch break, but that wouldn’t happen until everyone else had had theirs.

Eventually, the rush became a few stragglers, and she managed a tuna melt between customers. Even while she ate, she was wiping down and topping up the beans.

“Hey, Clarice.”

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