Intertwined Hearts Series (4 book collection): (Intertwined Hearts, An Exceptional Twist, Tangled Paths & Grafted Vines)

by Kimi Flores

  I picked up the box then cocked my eyebrow at her. “And don’t even try to fool me, I saw what they look like.”

  She snapped her fingers, “Dammit.”

  Oh so she was going to try and fool me, huh. Looks like I need to keep a closer eye on her than I thought. Sounds like fun to me.

  Chapter Nineteen

  It’s a Southern Thang

  Bri

  My leg bounced up and down as Josh drove my convertible up his parents’ driveway to their Brentwood, California home. The red brick, white framing, and black shutters on the facade reminded me of several homes I’d seen in Tennessee when I’d visited.

  As soon as he turned the engine off, Josh placed his hand on top of my knee. “Babe, stop being so nervous. They’re gonna love you.”

  The kiss he planted on my cheek did little to calm my nerves.

  “Easy for you to say. The only parents I’ve ever met didn’t like me very much.” I worried my bottom lip.

  “I have a hard time believing that.” He said confidently. “I’m sure it was your imagination.”

  I shook my head quickly, back and forth. “Nope. They were all in my mother’s circle and didn’t think I was good enough for their sons.”

  He leaned back in his seat. “Oh, you mean like that dipshit that left you out in the forest with the bike?”

  My lips puckered as I put my head down. “Yeah. He was one of them.”

  “Bri, that’s a totally different world. Most people don’t fit there, and I’m glad you didn’t because I sure as hell don’t want to.” Trailing his knuckles under my jaw, he used his index finger to guide my chin up until I was looking at his warm, loving eyes. “You fit perfectly in my world, and my parents are a big part of that. The only thing you have to do to make them happy is to make me happy. And you already do that.” His comforting words helped to build up the confidence I needed. Josh loved me and that’s really all that mattered.

  He peered through the passenger window, smiling. “And if we don’t get inside right now, my mom is likely to come busting down the stairs to get us.”

  I turned my head, catching a glimpse of the curvy blonde-haired older woman, beaming as she stood at the top of the stairs and waving with all she had.

  “Is that her?”

  Josh was giving his mother a loving look, and it made me feel confused yet hopeful.

  I never looked at my mother that way.

  “Yep, that’s my mama.” He said with pride. “Come on before she flies over here.” He opened his door, rounded the front, and opened my door.

  I took his hand as he led me out, and I held my skirt with the other, careful not to flash his mom. Leaning against his chest, I asked, “Did I hear a slight twang?”

  He started cracking up. “Probably. Just you wait. You’ll have one before we leave too.”

  What? I held onto his arm as I watched his mom bounce with excitement.

  “Joshua Ryan, you get that girl up here right now, or I’m liable to come hoppin’ down these stairs after you two.” Mrs. Tucker waved them over.

  Oh, that’s what he meant.

  Josh shook his head, snickering. His arms snaked around my waist, then he pulled me to a stop with my back to the porch. “Watch this,” he whispered.

  “Watch what?” I looked out toward the street, thinking someone else was driving up, but I didn’t see anything.

  “Just wait. Give her a sec.” His breath tickled the skin on my shoulder.

  I’d rather stay right here with you. I felt his chest vibrate as he chuckled.

  I took in a sharp breath when I felt a tug and I was unexpectedly spinning—directly into his mother’s arms. “Oh darlin’, I hope you don’t mind. I’m a hugger. All us southerners are.”

  “Maryanne, would you please get off that girl,” a deep masculine voice came from the top of the stairs. “You’re gonna scare her off before she even makes it in the door.”

  His mom pulled away, swatting at the air behind her. Peeking over Mrs. Tucker’s shoulder, I saw a very handsome older man, with a mustache and bushy eyebrows, standing at the front door, wearing an apron. Unlike Josh’s mother, he didn’t have an accent.

  “Oh, you hush, Wayne. It’s not every day a mama gets to meet the only girl her son has fallen in love with.” His mom’s nose and eyes crinkled, pride beaming off her.

  I looked down at the ground shyly as a grin spread across my lips. My heart was filling with inexplicable emotions. For the first time in my life, I was overwhelmed with pure happiness.

  He told his mom he loves me.

  “Look at that beautiful glow you’ve got. I suspect you feel the same way about my boy here?” His mom wrapped her arm around Josh, patting his chest with her free hand.

  Unable to hide my smile, I nodded blissfully.

  Kissing the top of his mother’s head, he begged, “Mom, please stop embarrassing her.” But there was a smile behind his words.

  “Oh you hush too. A beautiful girl like this is used to being fussed over.” She hooked her arm through mine, leading me up the stairs. “If she isn’t, then shame on you.”

  I glanced over my shoulder, watching Josh rock back on his heels. He darted his eyes at the sky, feigning innocence. When his gaze returned to me, I stuck my tongue out.

  We made our way up the stairs where Josh’s father greeted me, offering his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Bri. I’ve heard a lot about you from Bradley.”

  Bradley? Why not Josh? A cold chill ran down my back as my insecurities started to resurface.

  Stop, Bri. Not everything means something.

  Mrs. Tucker swept me away as the men followed. “Come on out back. Everyone’s waitin’.”

  Everyone? I gulped.

  We walked through the open foyer, to the dining room, then stepped out of the opened French doors and into the outdoor family room.

  I took in the space. Although everything was nicely decorated, it was also comfortable, not a museum where you weren’t allowed to touch anything. “Wow, this is a beautiful home, Mrs. Tucker.”

  “Oh, now you stop with the formality nonsense. You can call me Maryanne, like all these other hooligans do.” She pointed to the tables where Tanner, Alison, and Paul sat. “Now I’m gonna head in to the kitchen and grab a few things. Make yourself at home.” She grinned at me then caught Josh by his sleeve. “Joshua, you come help me.”

  Before he was dragged away, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

  Alison got up and headed over to me as the guys waved. “Hey, how are you holding up?” She hugged me, moving us to the side.

  “Fine.” I slowly breathed out. “Just a bit overwhelmed. I’m used to my friend Dani’s mom, hugging me but I didn’t realize—” I laughed, leaving that sentence hanging.

  “Oh yeah.” She agreed. “The first time I met Maryanne, she picked me up and spun me around. Which would’ve been fine, except when she put me down, we both slipped on the wet grass and fell on our asses with our dresses above our panties.” She brought her hands up in front of her, jerking them back and forth. “Thank God nobody was filming it. Maryanne in her granny panties, and me in my barely there thong—I can only imagine.”

  I laughed even harder, unable to get the image out of my head. That would’ve been so embarrassing. Thankfully, I was able to stay on my feet when his mother grabbed me.

  The surprise I have for Josh under my dress would not have made a very good first impression.

  Alison admitted, “It’s nice to have parent figures get excited when you’re around. Paul’s parents are okay, but the Tuckers are just—special people. Even though I’m not a part of the family, they still treat me like I am.”

  She didn’t have a great relationship with her mother either and had never met her father. I imagined she understood how out of sorts I’d felt, walking in this house.

  “Come on over, I was showing off the wedding pictures.”

  I followed, taking a seat beside her.

  The photos
were from the wedding and the reception. It was fun seeing the whole thing through the photographer’s point of view. I felt kind of bad now. I’d spent the entire time staring at Josh.

  I looked up at my friend, while she turned the page. “It was a beautiful wedding, Alison. Thanks again for inviting me.”

  Tanner, Paul, and Brad started laughing when Josh appeared with a few serving dishes in his hand.

  “What’s so funny?” He asked while placing the food on the table.

  Brad pointed to the book, calling my attention. Separate pictures of both Josh and I covered the spread. The first were of each of us laying on the dance floor, catching the bouquet and garter. There were several sexy dance shots of him, me sitting with my eyes bugged out. Then the largest pictures on the bottom of the page were of us posing for the photographer, him dipping and kissing me.

  “Yeah, that was right before Magic Mike ran off with his girl into the sunset.” Tanner sneered.

  Alison turned to the side, smiling at me. “You’re welcome.”

  Confused, I asked, “What?” I watched Josh and Tanner punch each other in the arm.

  Giving her best shit eating grin, Alison reminded me, “You said thank you for inviting you, and I was saying you’re welcome. I get bragging rights to both times you guys got together.” She winked.

  “Now you boys stop that right now.” Maryanne appeared, with her hands on her curvy hips. “I swear, you act like it’s acceptable to behave like animals in front of ladies. I know I taught you boys better than that. Now grab yer seats and get ready to say grace.”

  Josh and Tanner both put their heads down saying simultaneously, “Yes Ma’am.”

  Oh hell, I’m gonna need to learn that trick.

  Maryanne took the empty seat next to me, patting the top of my hand. “So tell me, Bri. How did you and my little angel,” she put her hand on the side of her mouth, leaning forward as she whispered, “Not.” A smile spread across her lips. “meet?”

  “Thanks a lot, Mom.” Josh snorted while placing a plate of grilled meat on the table next to the side dishes Maryanne had prepared as his father sat next to his mom. Josh pretended like he was going to ruffle his mom’s hair, then laughed at her don’t you dare expression and kissed the top of her head instead.

  His eyes made their way to mine, and he winked. He grabbed a chair and squeezed between Alison and me. “Don’t believe anything she tells ya about me, Bri.”

  I just blinked at my boyfriend. Ohmigosh, what planet are these people from? I couldn’t ever imagine playing around with my parents like that.

  “I’m sure all of her stories are true.” I teased, finally starting to relax now that he was beside me, his hand resting on my thigh under the table.

  Puckering his lips, he nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure they are too.” He leaned over, kissing my cheek. “And to answer your question, Mom, we first met back when I was drinking and making an ass out of myself. For whatever reason, she gave me another chance, and we’ve been together since the wedding.” He gave me an intimate look. “If it was up to me, it would’ve been sooner, but I’m glad we’ve taken it slow.”

  He squeezed my thigh under the table, sending my hormones into overdrive right before his father started to say grace. I was so distracted, I didn’t even hear it.

  Plates were passed as we served one another from whichever dish was in front of us. When my plate made its way back to me, it had barbeque beans, coleslaw, corn bread and grilled chicken. Yum. I was starving and always ready to eat a home cooked meal.

  Maryanne lifted her arm, waving at Tanner who was dishing up some food. “Not too many beans on my plate there. I don’t need my backside havin’ more to say later than my mouth does.”

  “Yes please, Tanner.” Wayne agreed.

  Maryanne smacked his arm and rolled her eyes.

  We would’ve never talked about that kind of stuff, let alone at the table. Instinctively, I wanted to be offended but then I relaxed when I realized, Josh’s family was so comfortable and laid back with each other, this was just another way they showed their playfulness.

  Refocusing on something that had caught my eye earlier, I took a forkful of mouthwatering food, then asked, “Is that a cornhole board? I haven’t seen one of those since college.”

  I remembered it not being the most exciting game, until we added a little alcohol.

  Josh shook his head. Brad and Paul rubbed their hands together in unison.

  “Yeah, it is. You know the game?” Maryanne’s smile grew.

  “One of the guys in our dorm had a homemade board at the end of the hall. When there weren’t any parties, we’d make our own by getting everyone to play. We’d even decorate our own bags.” I grinned, remembering. My favorite was the pink material I embellished with a purple pirate patch.

  Paul blurted out, “Yeah, but ours involved a lot of drinking. Do you remember how to play, Bea?”

  Nodding my head, I puckered my lips. “Enough to kick your butt.” I stopped just short of saying ‘ass’, not sure if that would be appropriate.

  Maryanne leaned over the table. “You can say ass, darlin’. We don’t take offense here.”

  Josh cocked his eyebrow. “Don’t encourage her, Mom. Not only will she kick his ass, she’ll probably kick the rest of ours too and then cuss us out.”

  A Cheshire cat grin covered Maryanne’s face. “Oh, this I’ve gotta see. I’m the only girl in the house who can mop the floor with these boys.”

  “Well, she’s not kicking my ass because she’ll be on my team,” Wayne said, claiming me as his teammate before anyone else had a chance to.

  Jumping out of her seat, Maryanne waved her finger in the air. “Uh-uh, I don't think so. Bri will be on my team, and we will kick all yer asses.”

  Reaching past Josh's shoulder, I tapped on my friend’s arm. “Come on, Alison. Us girls can switch off.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “No way, I suck at that game. And they always make me wear the Corn of Shame.”

  “What’s that?” I chuckled.

  Wayne stood. “Hold on. I’ll show you.” He headed over to the media cabinet against the wall and reached for something on the top shelf. “Here they are.” He held up a couple of what looked like huge foam corn on the cobs, with a hole on the side of each one.

  Alison explained, “The losers have to wear those hats for the rest of the visit. I always get stuck with one of those stupid things, then they take pictures and post them on all of my social media pages. No, thank you.”

  I got up, joining Maryanne. “Well, I have no intention of losing, so I’m in.”

  Maryanne hooted. “Get some music goin’ while you’re over there, Wayne. As soon as we’re done eatin’, we’re playin’ us some corn hole.” She added, “Put some of that Usher on. I like him.”

  I stared in awe. Yeah, this family is definitely from another planet.

  ⁂

  Josh

  My mom stood at the doorway, calling Bri and me into the house. We passed Brad and Paul, who were sullenly wearing their Corn of Shame hats as they washed the dishes.

  Mom pointed, calling out to them. “Now I don’t wanna see one spot left on those dishes, fellas. You hear me?”

  Paul’s foot came up from behind, landing on Brad’s ass. “You hear that? No spots, dipshit.”

  Moving to the side, Brad barked out, “What the hell, you’re the one who leaves spots.”

  I spoke under my breath, “I wouldn’t blame you if you ran away from me now that you’ve met my side of crazy.” But I really hope you don’t.

  Her hand ran up and down my back. “Josh, you’ve met my side. I’m surprised you haven’t ran.”

  While my mother led us down the hall, I snuck a quick kiss. “Never.”

  When we turned the corner, I realized where we were headed. “Mom, do we really have to show her this?” I’d spent years avoiding my famous Hollywood days, but my mom insisted on a room where she could display all of Brad’s and my awards, honor
s, and accomplishments.

  Opening the large door, exposing my past, my mom said, “There ain’t nothin’ wrong with a mama bein’ proud of her boys.”

  Sighing in defeat, I rested my arm on Bri’s shoulder. “But there are a lot of bad memories in here too.” I cringed when I saw Bri’s eyes darting around the room, taking everything in.

  Mom placed her hands on her rounded hips. “You listen here. No matter how many times you messed up or made mistakes, your daddy and I always loved and supported you.” Raising her hand in the air, she motioned around the room. “All these things are part of what made you into the man you are now. You see all the mistakes. I see the milestones. Regardless of anything else, you’re a very accomplished young man. There were plenty of good things going on too, and I’m very proud of you.”

  I glanced over at Bri, who was smiling, hope in her eyes like she were saying aloud, “Focus on the good.”

  Damn, I knew those words would come and bite me in the ass at some point.

  I watched as her attention zeroed in on the pictures of me at different premiere parties that were scattered on the wall and wondered what she was thinking.

  She noticed my stare, then said, “My mom wasn’t into saving anything. All my stuff disappeared after I left for college. You should be thankful she saved all of this.”

  Mom turned around, seeming to catch the weightiness of our conversation. Smiling warmly at me, she said, “I’ll leave you two alone so you can show her everything.” She ran her hand lovingly down Bri’s arm on her way out of the room.

  Once the door was closed, I threw my head back. “I fucking hate this room. I get what you guys are saying, and why she has this, but it’s filled with my past. Too many bad memories.”

  “Show me.” Bri bit her bottom lip, swiveling her shoulders back and forth. “Please.”

  Grumbling, I took her hand, leading her to the wall where my awards and trophies sat on a couple of shelves. “These are for the teen choice awards.”

  She touched one of the awards and read out loud. “Hmmm. Best actor. I’m impressed.”

  Irritated, I explained, “It’s all bullshit though. It’s based on popularity, not acting ability.”