God! Does he ever stop?This was the longest I had ever been in Josh’s constant company. Even though we lived together as roommates, we never really saw one another this much. After being cuddled up beside him in bed and then snuggled in his arms this morning, my tide was shifting where Josh was concerned. This hadn’t been the first time, though. There had been several instances when I thought I was actually attracted to him. But then he did something that woke me the fuck up and annoyed me, like now.
“Now what are you laughing at?” I asked while I spread jam on my toast.
“I thought that since you are so knowledgeable in manners that you would be nicer to someone who was trying to help and make today better. Or a little easier, at least.”
Fuck. He had me there.
I swallowed and took a slow, deep breath. He was right. I was being a bitch. My mind was all over the place, and Josh was on the receiving end of me not knowing how to act right now. I felt even worse when Sam approached the table and placed his hand on Josh’s shoulder in a supportive grasp. Like he was proud of Josh for standing up to my bitchy attitude and calling me out for preaching that he was being rude, when really, I was the rude one. Sam set a smaller plate of sliced strawberries on the center of the table, closest to me.
“I’m sorry, Josh. I know you have been trying to help, and I’ve been rude to you this morning. I apologize and will try to be more aware of my comments.”
I looked up at Josh, hoping to see a sign that he accepted my apology. He was staring at me, and when our eyes connected, he smiled and nodded.
“Thank you, Ali. I appreciate it. I want to help and be there for you. Not just because of last night, but because I care about you.”
All I could do to keep myself from bursting into tears, but also to show that I heard him and was grateful for him, was plaster a smile on my face and nod. Josh’s sudden confidence in kindly putting me in my place was most likely a result of some talks between him and Sam.Had Sam noticed that I was a bitch to Josh so much that he needed to intervene and encourage him to stand up to me?
“Thank you for the strawberries and breakfast, Sam,” I said as I stabbed a piece of my waffle and a strawberry slice.
“Yeah, thank you,” Josh said with his mouth full of food.
“You guys are welcome. I enjoy having both of you in my home, but I wish it could’ve been under different circumstances, of course.”
“Even though last night was shitty, I was happy to stay with you guys in your room,” I admitted.
It was the truth. It had been a bad situation that led me to being in Sam’s bed with him and Josh. But it was still an experience that I loved because I was the center of their attention.
“I’m glad you’re okay with it because, like I said, you guys are going to be staying here until Shane is taken into custody.”
“But Shane said if it was reported, he’d see to it that other bad shit would happen. What if he has help? What if he’s arrested, then Josh and I go home and someone else shows up?” I expressed my concerns.
“Then I’ll beat the shit out of them for breaking into our home,” Josh said nonchalantly.
“It’s your home, Josh. I’m just staying there because I can’t seem to get myself in order financially.”
“You live there. It’s your home as well.” Josh ate the last bite of his waffles before adding, “Besides, you like me.”
I made sure he could see me rolling my eyes at him this time.
“I sent Garrett a text while you were in the bathroom,” Sam announced and sipped on his coffee. “He’s going to come over this afternoon, and I asked him to bring a few things for you, Ali.”
“Okay,” I said. I wasn’t going to argue with him.
I understood this needed to be reported, though I thought reporting it to the FBI was a bit much, but whatever. Sam had an “in” with the FBI through his friendship with Garrett. I knew who Garrett was since he was also a member of Oxygen. Come to think of it, I didn’t think I had ever seen Garrett actually have a session with anyone.
“Does he still go to Oxygen?” I asked.
“He does. His schedule is even more hectic than mine most of the time, but he enjoys going when he can. He’s taking care of Salem right now, so I don’t foresee him getting to the club anytime soon. In fact, he’s probably going to bring her over today.”
“How is she doing?” Josh asked.
“It’s hard for me to judge, exactly. He reached out to James to ask him things,” Sam explained.
“I wonder if she’s doing as well as Brandon,” Josh wondered out loud before he sipped from his mug.
“From what Garrett has said, Salem is doing okay, but she gets quiet from time to time,” Sam said. I wanted to circle back to what Josh had alluded to regarding Brandon.
“As well as Brandon?” I questioned Josh’s comment. “Is Brandon even doing all that well?”
