“How bad did it look?”
Ben smiles and nods, “Pretty fucking bad.”
Adrian pipes up, “If it makes you feel any better, she lost control too.”
Joshua looks at his friend, “Where is she, I need to see her.”
Adrian widens his eyes, “I think you’ve done enough damage for one night.”
“Just go and fucking find her,” he yells. “If I want your opinion, I will fucking ask for it.”
The door bangs open and Scott storms in. “I fucking warned you,” he yells.
Joshua hangs his head. “I know,” he answers in a defeated voice.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he screams at Joshua. “What if Dad saw that?”
“I know. Fuck,” Joshua whispers and rubs both hands through his hair. He links his fingers of both hands together on top of his head and blows out a breath. “I… I lost my head.”
“I know!” Scott yells. “Find it, or leave. Seriously, my fucking wedding, are you kidding, do you have any idea of the carnage if someone had seen that?”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Scott scowls and looks down at Joshua’s obvious erection. He shakes his head in disgust and storms out. Josh blows out a breath with his hands linked on top of his head. He looks to Ben and Adrian and shakes his head. They both stare at him, shocked to the core. They have never seen him like this before. He never touches anyone in public. He rearranges his groin.
Suddenly the kitchen door bursts open. Oh shit, it’s Brock. He’s radiating atomic anger and he points at Joshua and yells,“You fucking prick!” He grabs Joshua by the suit lapels and slams him up against the fridge. With his forearm across his throat, he pulls him out and slams him back into the fridge. “What the fuck was that Stanton?” he yells. Joshua doesn’t answer and he doesn’t fight back, although he’s bigger than Brock. If he wanted to, he could end this now. Ben goes to move in but Joshua shakes his head at him. “Mind telling me why the fuck you’re dry–fucking my sister on the dance floor?” Joshua bites his bottom lip and glares at Brock, “Answer me fucker!” he yells. “She’s not a slut, Stanton” he yells.
Joshua narrows his eyes. “I fucking know that,” he snaps.
“No, you don’t, you just treated her like one.” Joshua closes his eyes and drops his head. Brock slams his head again. “I know the dirty sluts you’re used to Stanton and, believe me, she is so far out of your league it’s not even funny.”
Joshua narrows his eyes and glares at Brock as his anger escalates. “Back the fuck off Brock!” he yells. He twists his arms to get out of his hold and then pushes Brock who comes back with another push.
Ben steps in. “Stop it, you two, enough already.” Both men stare at each other, breathing heavily, their fists clenched at their sides.
Brock points his finger in Joshua’s face. “The sooner you fuck off back to America the better. I’m warning you. If you go near her again, you’re a dead man.”
“Go fuck yourself!” Joshua sneers. “I’ll do what I want.” Brock storms out of the kitchen. All three men stay silent, and Josh kicks the bin in frustration. Adrian’s eyes are the size of saucers.
“So, I’m guessing he’s the restraining order,” Ben whispers.
Joshua shakes his head, “No, he’s just a parking cop.”
“If he’s a parking cop who in the hell is the restraining order?”
Joshua turns to face his friends.
“My mother.”
Chapter 4
There is only one thing worse than waking with a hangover. Hazy images of yourself from the night before. I look around the room to try and get my bearings. That’s right, I’m in my hotel room alone. I trudge to the bathroom and stare in the mirror at the ugly raccoon looking back at me. The ugly raccoon who does a great impersonation of a dog on heat, on dance floors at weddings. I cringe as the memory of last night comes forth to my foggy brain. I pinch the bridge of my nose. Shit. What came over me? I put my head in my hands. Why in the hell did I drink last night? He must think I’m a total scrubber. I couldn’t have appeared any easier if I tried. I feel like shit this morning. Hopefully he was drunk. Then he won’t remember me making a total fool of myself. One minute we were dancing, the next thing kissing. I tap my forehead as I remember and smile. What am I smiling about? A knock bangs on the door, unfortunately I know exactly who it is. I frown again as my brain hits my skull. Knock, knock, knock.
“Alright I’m coming, I’m coming.” I open the door to a cranky–looking Bridget. She smiles a plastered–on smile.