California Sunshine (14 page)

              I woke up the next morning in the spare bedroom of Ashley and Mikes house. The sun was streaming through the window, right into my face. I groaned, grabbing my pillow, but dropping it when a sharp searing pain shot through my hand. I sucked in a breath and looked at my hand, the day before re-playing in my head. I rolled over to find that I was alone. Weird. Where's Josh? I thought as I slowly sat up. I looked down and realized I was in one of Ashley's t-shirts and that made me slightly worried. I went into the bathroom and found one of the extra toothbrushes that they kept in the bathroom just in case. I popped one out of the package and proceeded to brush my teeth.

              Once I was done I grabbed a hair tie and threw my hair up in a messy bun and threw my jeans on. I walked into the kitchen and straight to the coffee pot.

              "Hangover?" Mike asked.

              "I don't even know right now. I think I found my limit. And blew past it." I said as I poured coffee into a cup.

              "Oh yeah, you definitely blew past it," Josh said.

              I bit my lip and winced. "How bad was it?" I asked.

              Mike laughed. "Oh, you two were the life of the party."

              I took a drink and scrunched my nose, "Ugh, nope cain't do black." I said, grabbing the creamer from the fridge and pouring some in.

              "Want some coffee with your creamer baby?" Josh asked.

              I smiled. "Just a little. So what happened?" I asked, sitting down at the table.

              "First, what do you remember?"

              I shrugged, "Uh." I paused, trying to remember anything. "I remember taking shots--" My eyes widened. "Oh my God." I turned quickly and faced Josh. "I didn't embarrass myself did I?"

              A devilish smile played on his lips. "Explain embarrassed."

              "I didn't strip or nothin' did I?"

              He laughed and pulled me closer. Kissing me on the forehead. "No baby, you didn't."

              I exhaled slowly. "So what happened?" I asked.

              "Well, you and Ashley decided you needed to dance," Mike said.

              "Okay?" I asked.

              "For everybody. On the island. She almost fell, but I caught her. You two are crazy. You know that?"

              "Sorry," I replied, just a little louder than a whisper.

              "What are you apologizing for? Josh recorded it."

              I looked quickly between the two of them. "What?" I couldn't hide the uneasiness in my voice.

              "I'll delete it," Josh replied, looking at me, an apology in his eyes.

              "No. It's okay." I said, taking my coffee cup and heading to the spare bedroom we, or I had slept in. Just then Ashley came walking out of their bedroom looking like she'd seen better days. She rubbed her eyes, not noticing me as she continued walking towards the kitchen. I went into the spare room and began looking for my shirt from the night before. With each minute that ticked by I got more frustrated.

              "Hey. You mad at me?" Josh asked.

              I quickly turned around to see him shutting the bedroom door. "Not at you. No. You can keep the video by the way. Just for you. I'm embarrassed with myself and pissed that I cain't find my damn shirt!" I exclaimed throwing a pillow against the wall.

              Just then I saw a shirt hanging in front of my face, Josh's hand on my lower back. "Here."

              I turned to look at him. He was smiling. "Thanks," I mumbled.

              "No problem."

              "How'd you know where it was? Did I sleep alone last night?" I asked.

              There was a fire in his eyes when he answered. "You stripped for me last night, and no you didn't sleep alone. Hell, we barely slept at all."

              I groaned. "Oh my God," I whispered.

              "No, no. We didn't do anything. You actually got pretty pissed at me for turning you down. Started a fight, it took a while to calm you down and get you to go to sleep."

              My face flushed red. "I'm so, so sorry."

              "Don't be. I told you I'm here for good unless you change your mind. But you know what?"

              "What?" I asked, peeling Ashley's shirt off and pulling mine on.

              "We better go. I've got dinner with my family tonight."

              My stomach dropped. "Oh yeah," I said, feeling all the air leaving my lungs.

              "Hey. If you want to stay here, I understand."

              I plastered on a smile. "Nope. We're together. Now or never right?" I asked.

              "I know you're nervous. It'll be okay, though, I promise. I mean you've already met my parents and I know they love you. Sarah and Joel will love you too." He said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

              "Alright. Come on." I said, grabbing my purse.

              "Tell me why you're nervous. Please."

              I stopped dead in my tracks. "'Cause it's hard to be around anybody's family when I ain't got my own. I've been doin' this life thing by myself for a long time. I don't remember what it's like to have parents. Seventeen years, I don't even really remember 'em."

              "I'll understand, they'll understand if you don't want to go."

              I sighed heavily, not sure what else there was to do. "I'm goin'. Just, please try to understand if I seem upset. I'll try my best to be okay."

              I had gotten a shower and a fresh change of clothes, something more appropriate for this event. We pulled into a driveway where there were four other cars parked. I hadn't said much on the drive over. I was too nervous to speak, the ball of nerves in my stomach making me feel like I was going to puke.

              "You okay?" Josh asked.

              I shook my head. "No. I'll be fine, though, I promise."

              "Just remember, they'll love you."

              I nodded. "Okay," I replied, looking at the house and then finally at him.

              Josh got out and came around and opened my door. "You'll be fine."

              "I know." I said, smiling and smoothing invisible wrinkles out of my blouse.

              We walked inside, and when we did, we were greeted with laughter and conversation coming from the kitchen. I took Josh's hand without thinking about it as we made our way closer. When we stepped into the kitchen his mom spotted us first.

She stood, rounded the table and pulled Josh into a hug and then me. "Joanna I am so glad you could make it!"

              I smiled. "I am too. Thank you."

              "Joel, Sarah, this is Joanna--"

              "My girlfriend," Josh said before his mom could introduce me as just a friend.

              "Girlfriend?!" She asked.

              I smiled. "Yes ma'am," I replied, just before she almost crushed me into another hug.

              Sarah stood and gave me a hug once Robin let go. "Well, it's awesome to meet you! Josh didn't tell me that he had a girlfriend." she said, shooting Josh a sideways glance.

              "That's because I just asked her two days ago," He replied.

              "Well, it's about time!"

              "Sarah, shut up," Joel said as he stepped closer.

              "Fine! So where are you from? I noticed you have a Southern accent." she said, leading me over to the table.

              I laughed. "Yeah, it's hard to hide. I'm from Arkansas, but I live in Nashville."

              "Oh my, long distance?" she asked, looking between Josh and me.

              "Yeah, Sarah. Long distance. Just because it didn't work out for you--"

              "I wasn't talking about that! I was just asking." She interrupted, which at this point I was beginning to notice that at least she and Robin had already interrupted him. I wasn't sure if it was just the women of the family who had the habit or if the men did too.

              "So how did you two meet?" Joel asked.

              "I was actually out here visitin' some friends. Ashley and Mike. They thought they'd take it upon themselves to try and get us together, so we all went out one night and Josh and I just clicked."

              Sarah was smiling. "That is so cute. By the way Josh, how is Mike and Ashley?"

              "They're good. They're engaged."

              "No way! I'm going to have to call her and give her hell."

              Josh laughed, "Go for it."

              "You two gonna watch the game with me?" Abel asked Joel and Josh.

              "Gee I don't know dad. Are you gonna even speak to Jo?"

              Abel laughed, "My apologies Joanna. I'm happy you're here, happy that you and my son are together, but I have a game to watch."

              I laughed. "Apology accepted. Mind if I ask who's playin'?"

              "Eagles and Lions first."

              "My money's on the Eagles," I replied.

              "Mines on the Lions. Want to put money on it?" he asked.

              "Dad, really? Betting with my girlfriend?" Josh asked.

              I laughed. "Three games today right? How much per game? Who else is playin'?"

              "Panthers against the Cowboys, and Bears against the Packers. Fifty per game, that work?" Abel asked.

              I smiled. "You're on! Lions, Panthers, and the Bears for me."

              "Oh, you're so gonna lose! Eagles, Cowboys and Packers."

              I laughed again. "I think you'll be wishin' you woulda picked my teams later."

              He smiled. "I really like you. Anybody else in?"

              Josh took his wallet out. "Lions, Panthers and Bears."

              "Don't take her side son," Abel said.

              Joel pulled his wallet out. "Your teams dad."

              "Y'all are so gonna lose. Mind if I watch?"

              Abel and Joel's jaws dropped. "You crazy? We need a female in this family that will actually watch sports. Joshua, if you don't keep her I'm gonna kill you." Abel said which made me laugh as he led me to the living room.

              "So tell me. What other sports do you watch?" Joel asked.

              "Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey."

              "Teams?" Abel asked.

              "Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Angels, and Nashville Predators. Saint's are my football team, though."

              "Pretty good teams. Josh, you gotta keeper bro." Joel said, which made me smile.

              "Oh come on! What are you doin?! Throw the ball!" I was shouting at the TV

              "Ooooh!" All three of the guys said in unison.

              "Ugh!"

              "Sore loser baby?" Josh asked.

              I smiled. "Yes," I replied, my head snapping back towards the TV.

              I, of course, lost the bet. I handed Joel and Abel a fifty dollar bill. "I'm stealing you for a little bit. Show you around." Josh said, grabbing my hand. He led me outside. "You doing okay?" He asked as soon as we were a few feet from the house.

              "I'm actually really good. You're family's really nice."

              He smiled. "I'm not sure who I have to worry about taking to much of your time. My brother, my mom, or my sister. Joel won't mess with you. He keeps to himself."

I smiled. "I guess I'll have to figure out a way to divide my time evenly then huh? Don't worry, though, I'm still all yours when we're alone."

              He bit his bottom lip, "Yeah, like tonight."

              I nodded. "Exactly. I'll sleep on the flight."

              "Stay the weekend."

              "I'll think about it," I replied quickly.

              "Really?"

              "Yes really. Why not? I can make my own schedule." I said, leaning up and kissing him.

              "Well, you ready for a long night? My family loves to sit around and play games. You okay with that?"