Hanging Out

It was a beautiful night so while Harriet forced John to help her with the dishes - which I believe was so that she could talk to John about the new development with me and Jordan because she flat out refused my help when I offered it - the rest of us decided to head out back to the patio and relax.

“Do you think mom was trying to get us drunk?”

“What?” Jordan gave his brother a funny look.

“I think she was,” Nick stated. “Why else would she keep filling our glasses up before we could even finish what we had?”

It was an interesting question, I know I found myself wondering the same thing while we were all sitting at the table and Harriet kept filling the boys’ glasses until the two bottles of wine were gone.

“It didn’t work though,” Nick said as a cool breeze ruffled his hair. “I’m more horny than drunk.” The sound of the wind blowing was the only noise you could hear on the back patio after he revealed that piece of information. “Don’t worry,” he continued while watching Amy. “I’m not going to bother begging you to touch me tonight.” Turning back to us, he lifted his right hand. “Have you been introduced to Rightina? My girlfriend?”

“Idiot,” Jordan shook his head in disbelief.

Amy looked hurt when she punched him in the arm and called him a jerk before she stormed off into the house. “What’s her problem?” He asked cluelessly.

“You’re an idiot,” Mike informed him. “You should’ve stopped talking before you started.”

“I was kidding,” Nick mumbled and then asked me if I could tell him more about the jobs I mentioned at the table.

“Jenna no,” Jordan’s arms fell from my waist as he moved towards Jenna. “Bradley doesn’t want to play with the doll honey. Come see daddy.”

After a second of hesitation, Jenna came running over into Jordy’s outstretched arms. “Hey J-Roll,” he hugged her close to his chest. The smile that crossed his face when she pressed her face against his chest was priceless. When I moved into run my hand over his back, his elbow brushed against my breast, I tried to muffle my groan by biting my lip. By the look on Jordan’s face, it didn’t work.

“Hey Anna?” Nick motioned for me to come over. Reluctantly, I left Jordan’s side and went to sit at the table with Nick. “Tell me about those jobs?” He asked. “I really need to find something that pays and has benefits or I’ll be living in Amy’s parents’ basement for the rest of my life.” He looked tired as he told me that he loved Amy and Bradley but he didn’t marry Amy’s parents. “They are always down in our space and in our business. They make me feel that they think I don’t deserve her.”

“Nick,” I reached out and patted his clenched fist. “Why didn’t you tell us before? Maybe we could’ve helped you before now.”

With a sigh he raked his fingers through his hair. “Just tell me about the jobs, please?”

“Ok,” I nodded. “I don’t know much about the dispatcher job, just that Zack mentioned it the other night; I’d give him a call if I were you.”

“I’ll call him to-” he glanced at his watch. “I guess it’ll be tomorrow.”

“Well you could call him tonight, right now even, he’s at home.”

“Ok,” he replied but didn’t move. I looked at him expectantly and he laughed. “I’ll call him in a minute; tell me about the job at your work. What is it again?”

“Unloader,” I smiled. “I’m not sure what shifts you are looking for but this one is from 3:30 to midnight.”

With a chuckle, Nick told me that it would save him from having to deal with his in-laws too much. “What would I be doing? If I were to apply for that?”

“Unloading the warehouse trucks, mainly.” I shrugged. “I’m not really sure what else they have to do.”

“Will I see you?”

“I’ll be getting off when you are coming in so -” I stopped as a smirk appeared on his face. “What are you - oh!” I cringed. “Pervert!”

“Come on now Trouble,” he held up his left hand and nodded to Bradley. “I’m a family man, you have to control those urges of yours.”

“Shut up!” I rolled my eyes. “You don’t interest me,” I threw at him.

“I know, I know,” he laughed. “I’m happy that you two are together, finally.”

“Me too,” Jordan sat down next to me with Jenna falling asleep in his arms. “Things are just starting to fall into place, it’s great.”

Not to be left out, Mike and Eric pulled up chairs and joined us as well. “I just never thought I would see the day that my little brother would date an ex of mine.”

“Yeah, well,” Jordan leaned back in his chair and reached out his hand to stroke my hair. “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t but Anna…” he shook his head as he gazed, adoringly, at me. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me.”