Chapter Fourteen
Jacob
“Bro, you better have a great reason for this impromptu gathering on a Monday night,” Bryce said, sliding onto the barstool beside Koby and me. “I was supposed to watch the kids for Janelle while she and her sister visited their aunt.”
“Tell Janelle that Uncle Jacob’s covering babysitting duties for a couple’s night,” I said, offering a peace deal.
Bryce arched a brow. “Oh, you must be desperate for real,” he said, scooping up a handful of peanuts. “What’s going on?”
Koby lifted a hand. “And before you start, can I get that same deal?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I got you, too.”
They exchanged a knowing look. “Oh, yeah,” Bryce said, nodding. “It’s deep.”
I took a long swig of my beer and hissed at the aftertaste as we waited for the wings Koby had ordered for us. “It’s Amariah.”
Bryce groaned loud enough for the next table to hear, flicking peanut shells into the empty pail. “Bro, please tell me you’re not still pining over the past. It’s time to talk to her already. If you haven’t, I’ll have Janelle call her right now because this is out of hand.”
“Well, if you let me finish,” I shot back, making him raise his hands in surrender. “We did talk. We hashed everything out. Turns out the whole thing was one big misunderstanding. Something we could’ve fixed if I’d just opened my mouth sooner.”
Koby nodded thoughtfully. “Alright, so you all talked. Did she not forgive you or something?” he asked as the waitress dropped off our wings.
“Oh no, she forgave me,” I said, unable to stop the grin tugging at my mouth. “We spent yesterday at Jolly’s picking out a Christmas tree for her dad’s store, then she made me get one for my place and helped me decorate.”
Bryce perked up instantly, nudging Koby. “Ahh hell. Look at that face. I haven’t seen this man smile like that in almost twenty years.”
I leaned in, lowering my voice. “We were at my house decorating, made some spiked cocoa, started singing and dancing like idiots, then we talked—really talked—cleared the air. And, well, one thing led to another, and we…rekindled…in front of the fireplace.”
Koby and Bryce whooped, slapping hands across the table like we were back in college. I let them have their fun. At least they had the sense not to pry for details.
“So, y’all finally giving this thing a go, huh?” Koby asked once the laughter died down.
I pointed at him. “That’s the problem. She’s heading back to D.C. soon, so she’s chalked it up to a simple fling. But I need her to see that we could be more—that I want us to be more. I know she felt it too, but I can’t force it. That might push her away again.”
Bryce leaned back. “Would you be willing to date long-distance? You can’t change the fact that her life really is in D.C., man.”
“As long as there are planes, trains, and automobiles, I’ll make it work,” I said firmly. “I don’t care about the miles. I just want her. I’ve waited too long for a chance I never took before. I can’t lose her again.”
Koby clapped me on the shoulder. “No worries, bro. We’ll figure out a way to help you keep your girl.”
Relief washed over me as we sat talking over our meal. Ideas flew around the table, but nothing felt right—nothing that truly showed Amariah what she meant to me. After an hour and a few refills, I felt more stuck than when I’d called them here.
“Maybe we should go back to the beginning,” Bryce said, frustration creasing his brow.
Koby shrugged. “When I was really trying to win Alicia, I’d do one small thing every day to show her how much I cared.”
Bryce laughed. “I meant the beginning of our ideas, not a peek inside your love life, Romeo.”
But his words hit me like a lightbulb moment. I snapped my fingers. “No. That’s it! Koby’s on to something.”
Koby blinked. “I am?”
“He is?” Bryce echoed, confused.
“Mari loves Christmas,” I said, excitement building, “and before everything went sideways, we had a lot of good memories. What if I showed her a gesture or gift every day—something that honors our past with the holiday season—all the way up to Christmas? Then, on Christmas Day, I’ll ask her to be mine. ”
Bryce tilted his head. “Like a Christmas countdown or something?”
I slapped his shoulder. “Exactly! That’s it.”
They both exchanged looks, then nodded slowly.
“That could actually work,” Bryce admitted.
Koby laughed. “My boy said he’s gonna love her down to Christmas.”
“Hell yeah!” I jumped up, gripping his shoulders. “That’s exactly what I’m gonna do.”
Bryce smirked. “Well, you’d better think fast, Mr. Jacob Kringle. Tomorrow’s December first.”
“Why do you think I’m leaving you two?” I said, pulling on my parka. “I’ve got to get home and map this out. I have twenty-five days to win her over.”
“Make it twenty-four. You owe Janelle and me a night out, Uncle Jacob,” Bryce reminded, holding up a finger.
“Nah, make it twenty-three,” Koby added with a grin, bumping fists with Bryce.
I laughed, wrapping my arms around their shoulders as I passed between them. “Let me focus on Amariah. Once it’s official, I’ll cover all uncle duties, no complaints.”
Koby nodded. “Fine. We’ll wait until you secure your woman.”
Bryce rolled his eyes. “Yeah, and Janelle would never forgive me if we ruined your shot. The only thing she loves more than kid-free time is a good love story, especially yours and Amariah’s.”
We all cracked up because he was right. Janelle and every woman who knew Amariah had been waiting for this since forever.
I dapped them up and grabbed my keys.
Koby gave me a firm look. “Go get her, man. All gas.”
I grinned. “No brakes.”
Koby’s words still echoed in my head as I drove through downtown Skye Ridge, the city already glowing with Christmas lights.
“No brakes.” It became my mission statement.
The streets shimmered in gold and red reflections off my windshield, and every wreath and ribbon I passed only fueled the adrenaline humming through my chest. Boyz II Men was crooning through the speakers, and somewhere between the second verse and the next stoplight, my plan began to take shape.
By the time I pulled into my driveway, the determination in my gut was fresh and fierce.
If I was going to win Amariah Luke back, it wasn’t going to be halfway. All gas. No brakes.