The Beach House

I sighed rubbing my eyes, everyone was happily munching away on their breakfasts, “Finally I thought you would be out all day!” my mother grinned setting a plate down next to Joe,

I shrugged not bothering to adjust anything about my appearance, sweat pants, white beater, and crazy hair; not changing a thing.

I took my place next to Joe, who grinned and continued munching away, “So how was your date yesterday?” Denise asked happily, I could sense Joe tense up next to me, “Um, fine.” I replied shortly, what is up with all these happy people today?

There was a silence followed by Frankie’s giggling voice; Joe glared sending him a threatening look, “What’s up?” I smiled, I loved Frankie’s giggled. Joe looked at me for a moment and mumbled something incoherent.

I shrugged him off and finished up the rest of my food, “I’m finished anyone want me to take their plate?” Nick raised his hand slightly and I smiled at his shyness. “So I was thinking James that you might want to take the boys out, I don’t know maybe to the movie theater?” my mom called,

I scrubbed of the rest of the plates and returned to the table, “Sure I guess” I shrugged Dylan cheered high-fiving Frankie, “I’m sure one of the older boys would want to come as well Nick, Kevin?” Denise asked, “I will!” Joe said standing up,

Frankie snickered once more and Joe covered his mouth, “Joseph!” Denise scolded flicking his hand off, “I’m just going to shower and then we can leave, okay boys?” I asked, they all nodded and I skipped up the stairs,

Showering and changing into a white beater and black shinny jeans I headed downstairs, “Ready?” I asked as all three boys sat eagerly on the couch, “Yeah and we decided we’re going to watch The Incredibles!” Frankie happily replied running up next to me and grabbing my hand,

“They’re playing that?” I asked puzzled, “Yeah, the movie theatre in town plays certain movies on certain days” replied Joe, I nodded and grabbed the keys, “Hey Joe can you drive?” I asked curiously as we loaded up into the car,

Joe looked down and shook his head, “I’m never around to get my license” Joe explained, I nodded and started the car “Just wondering.”

--

Dylan and Frankie ran ahead of Joe and I as we left the theatre, “Okay I love that movie!” I cried struggling to catch my breath from my constant laughter, Joe chuckled “Me to,” I sighed leaning against his arm placing my head against his shoulder,

“That was fun” I yawned, Joe wrapped his arm around my waist and guided me to the car, “Well if it isn’t Jamie Jade” I could almost hear the smirk in his voice,

“Go away Cody” I groaned unlocking the door for the boys, “Well I was wondering about that second date we talked about,” I opened my mouth but nothing came out but a scream,

In a split second Joe had Cody pinned on top of the truck pushing him up by his shirt, “Why don’t you just back off her man!?” Joe’s voice turned icy cold and his face was stone hard,

Cody struggled to escape his grasp finally giving up, “Leave her alone!” Joe screamed heaving him into the truck once more, a small scream escaping my lips, I had never seen Joe like this before, no one had.

“Joe! Let him go he’s not worth it!” I huffed pulling Joe out of Cody’s grasp while guiding him to his side of the car, by now Cody was long gone running out of Joe’s line of vision,

Joe huffed and slammed his door causing Frankie and Dylan to flinch, “Joe are you okay?” a small voice asked from the back, Joe placed his head onto the windshield and sighed,

“He’s fine Frank don’t worry nothings going to happen,” I smiled turning around and patting his knee. I started the car and backed out of the parking lot feeling a warm hand wrap around my free one,

Joe really would be there.

--

“How was your movie?” mom asked as we entered the house, Joe brushed her off and ran up to his room slamming the door, “Everything alright?” concern washing over her face,

I shook my head and opened the fridge grabbing some lemonade, “Yeah, we just ran into someone we didn’t need to see,” I replied pouring myself a glass, my mom nodded and walked out of the kitchen,

“Can I have some?” a quiet voice asked, I looked up and nodded pulling out another glass and pouring the light yellow liquid into the glass,

“Sure, it’s sugar free” I said, he nodded and sipped it. “You know I think Joe might like you,” his quiet voice spoke up, “And what makes you say that?” I asked slightly puzzled hopping onto the counter tops,

“I just do I guess, but hey I know my own brother right?” he smirked and finished his glass putting it neatly into the sink, “and because he’s never looked at any other girl the way he looks at you” he smirked,

“Bye Nick” I chuckled fondling with the edge of the glass, no way I thought hopping off the counter and downing the last of my drink.