California Sunshine (12 page)

Chapter 12

              I woke up smiling. Josh's arms wrapped around me, the sheet haphazardly covering us both. Last night had definitely made it into the record books, I thought to myself as I snuggled further into his arms.

              "Good morning beautiful," he whispered against my neck.

              My smile grew wider. "Good mornin' handsome. Ya know, I could get used to hearin' that every mornin'." I replied.

              He was kissing my neck. "I'll remember that," he said, pulling me closer.

              "Mmm, shower and breakfast. Then I should probably call Ashley."

              "Nope, you're all mine until noon at least."

              I laughed. "Fine, fine. I'm all yours as long as you want me."

              "What if I said I wanted you forever?" he asked, rolling me onto my back so that he could look at me.

              "Well then, I'd say I'm all yours, forever."

              "You really mean that?"

              "I really mean that, unless you didn't mean it," I replied, feeling really nervous about what I had just said.

              "Oh, I meant it. And I meant everything last night too--," he trailed off, kissing my neck once more.

              I closed my eyes slowly, running my fingers through his brown hair. "Babe, shower," I whispered.

              I could feel him smile. "Fine," he replied, leaning up and kissing me on the forehead. "Shower." He rolled over and grabbed his phone. "Damn, I've only got you for another hour. That shower can wait." And with that he pulled me closer, sliding his hand gently down my side, and pulling the sheet over him.

              I was left breathless once again. This time, though, I slid out of the bed with the sheet and walked to the bathroom. I let it slide down my body just before I shut and locked the door. I turned the water on, let it run a few minutes and stepped in. As soon as the hot water hit my skin I felt my body relax. I leaned against the wall, running my hands over my wet hair. You're in this for the long haul. Are you ready for that? Are you ready to get your heart broken again? I tried to shake the thoughts, but I couldn't. I hated myself for letting those thoughts take over.

              When I opened my eyes, I began to panic. I poked my head out of the shower and sighed with relief. My bag with my soap and toothbrush was on the counter. I grabbed what I needed and finished my shower.

              I turned the water off, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my body. I brushed my hair out, brushed my teeth and grabbed the sheet off the floor. When I walked back into the bedroom, the bed was made and I caught the smell of coffee wafting in from the kitchen. I quickly got dressed and followed that amazing aroma.

              When I walked in I found Josh, freshly showered and in board shorts. "Have a nice shower?" he asked.

              I smiled. "It was pretty good. Coulda been better." I said, winking at him and grabbing a coffee cup.

              "Hey, you locked the door."

              I laughed. "I know. Next time. So plans for today?"

              He shook his head. "Don't have any. I thought you were gonna call Ashley?"

              I shrugged. "I don't know. Kinda wanna bask in the new relationship feelin's first."

              He smiled and put his hands on my hips, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Think those feelings will go away?"

              I placed my hands on top of his. "I sure hope not, but they always do."

              "Well I won't let them," he replied, kissing me quickly on my cheek.

              I bit my lip and turned to face him. "I want to believe you, and part of me does. But please be patient with me if I sometimes have a hard time with things you say."

He nodded. "I know baby. It's gonna take time for both of us. If at any time you regret any of this, please just tell me."

              I closed my eyes and rested my head against his chest. "I'll never regret this. I'm just afraid my heart's gonna get broken again."

              He wrapped his arms gently but tightly around me. "I have no intentions of ever, ever hurting you."

              "I hope not," I whispered, basking in the soft pine scent of his skin.

              I finally decided to get dressed, but it wasn't anything fancy. We were going to pick up pizza and I wanted to be lazy. I put on some Autumn inspired leggings, with a white slouchy t-shirt that said 'Y'ALL NEED JESUS' on the front. I grabbed my gray Uggs and my black skull sweater. I threw my hair in a messy bun. I didn't put much thought into it, but I knew I didn't look like a hot mess either. I swiped some mascara on and stepped out into the living room.

              "You know. You look damn good in high heels, and you look even better in a dress, but this? I think I just fell in love all over again."

              I laughed. "Whatever. Let's go get pizza."

              "Wanna drive?"

              I shook my head. "No! I'll get us lost."

              He grabbed me and kissed me passionately. "That's okay. We've got GPS on our phones, we wouldn't get too lost."

              "You can drive. I come out here enough and I'll be drivin' before ya know it."

              "God that accent is sexy. Come on," he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the door. He opened it and motioned me ahead. I smiled, not really used to that, but knew I loved him for a reason. Just as I stepped through he slapped my butt and I turned to face him quickly.

              He threw his hands up in defense. "Couldn't help myself."

              I laughed, "There's gonna be a lot of that ain't there?"

              He nodded, "Yeah I'll apologize now."

              "No need," I replied, winking at him and heading to the truck.

              We drove down to the beach with our pizza, while there Mike called Josh. I didn't catch much of the conversation because I had gone down close to the water. I was looking for sea shells, avoiding the water. It was too cold to even dare go in. I found a few, and a couple sand dollars. I stuck them in my pocket and began walking back towards where Josh was. When I got closer I realized he was no longer on the phone, but just watching me.

              He motioned me over with his finger and I couldn't help but laugh. "Yes?" I asked.

              He didn't answer, just pulled me into his lap. "So Mike and Ash are having a party tonight. Wanted to know if I was going. I didn't tell them you were here, I just said I'd think about it."

              "Hmm," I said my index finger next to my mouth. I crinkled my nose and looked sideways at the sky. "I dunno. I kinda liked our party last night."

              "Well, it's settled then."

              I laughed, "Nah. Kinda wanna go party. You can get a better look at what I'm really like 'fore this goes to far."

              "Well I'm not going anywhere, so show me every dark dusty corner of your soul and I'll show you mine. Nothing's going to change my love for you."

I smiled, leaning back against him as he wrapped his arms around me. "Do you realize how much that means to me? I may be scared and a little confused, but I love hearin' you say you love me."

              "Good, because I love saying it," he leaned in close, "I love you." he whispered, wrapping his arms tighter around me as if he was trying to protect me from all the hurt I'd ever felt. Maybe he was trying to fix me. My heart swelled as I realized that I never wanted this to end.

              "Guess what," I said, my eyes closed.

              "What?" he asked.

              "I love you more than you'll ever know. More than I'll ever be able to explain. You've done somethin' to me. I ain't sure what it is, or when it happened, but I know I've never felt more alive. More in love, than in these last few months, hell even in these last couple of days. I will forever trip over my own insecurities, but I promise to always try to show you how much I love you."

              "I'm not sure what to say to that. Thank you? It doesn't seem acceptable. I will forever make sure you know you're loved. Now, about that party? You wanna go?"

              I laughed. "Sure. I'm gonna have to change first, though."

              "I like this."

              "Yeah, well it ain't what I party in. Come on." I said, standing and going to pull him up. "Come on babe! Please?" I asked, playfully pouting.

              He let me pull him up, and when I did he almost tackled me as he kissed me. Biting my bottom lip gently. "You're adorable."

              "What happened to beautiful?" I asked.

              He smiled. "Oh you're beautiful, but that pout made you adorable," he replied, taking my hand as I grabbed the leftover pizza.

              We showed up way earlier than the time they told Josh, just so that when Ash saw me she wouldn't make both of us look like idiots. That and so that when she found out Josh and I was officially a couple she wouldn't freak the fuck out and draw even more attention to us.

              Josh had texted Mike to let him know that he was on his way and Mike had given him the go-ahead to come on in. So when we got there, we walked in and for a second, I thought Ash was going to pass out.

              "NO WAY!" she shouted, almost jumping on me.

              I laughed. "Yes way. Get off." I said, shoving at her. I finally gave up and returned the hug.

              "When the hell did you get in?" she asked.

              I smiled, "Yesterday around two y'alls time."

              "And you weren't gonna tell me?"

              "No. I wasn't."

              Just then I realized that Mike was staring at the two of us. "So wait. You knew and didn't, at least, tell me?" Mike asked Josh.

              "I told him not to. We made these plans like Friday. Since somebody had to text him." I said, shooting daggers at Ashley.

              "You were cryin'! What was I supposed to do?"

              "Well it worked out for the best," Josh said, walking up behind me, putting his hand on my hip.

              "No way! Y'all are finally together?" Ashley asked, that southern twang coming out.

              Josh smiled, "Yes we are. Since last night. See. I told you if we wanted to date each other we'd take care of it ourselves."

              Ashley playfully punched him. "I get it alright! Oh I'm so happy! So first Thanksgiving with somebody. Oh no! Do your parents know?" she asked.

              I swallowed hard. "I've met them. Kind of unconventional, but they don't know we're together yet. We'll let them know tomorrow. And I don't need your loud mouth blabbin' either." I said.

              She smiled widely. "Fine! Okay, well since you two are here. Y'all can help set up." she said.

              I giggled. "Fine. Where's the liquor?"

              "You should know where it's at. Don't mix nothin' to strong."

              I looked at her, my eyes just slits. "Why? It's a party, people are supposed to get drunk!" I exclaimed.

              "Fine. Save enough for those that can't handle your version of strong."

              I smiled. "Yes ma'am."

              I found the alcohol, a cooler, and some ice. "Hey. I know y'all have fruit. Bring it here."