Page 6 of Just Joshing
I closed my eyes. Yeah, I did know. They'd left me to follow their dreams. To get out from under the thumb of our parents. To make something special.
Our families weren’t dissimilar in their expectations. But while the Greenfeld's had just Josh and Pete, my family was large. I was the youngest, and only girl, of five children - Hendrix, George and Thomas, Samuel then me. My father had a love of alcohol and my mother was satisfied with naming rights for a girl.
Maleficent Glorious Archer.
Little Miss Molly played inside with her dolly while her brothers played outside in the rain. Along came Josh-Spider who sat down beside her, and poked till she came outside to play.
"Yeah." I shook my head, attempting to clear it. "It was just… a lot."
"You never said anything."
I huffed out a laugh, glancing over at his gorgeous face. "Would you have come home?"
"For you? Yes. You know we would have."
I shook my head. "And that’s why. You and Sam deserved to follow your dreams. Not be stuck in some office job working for the family when we both know it would have done nothing but crush you."
"How bad was it?"
I crossed my arms, goosebumps rising as I remembered the tears, the crackdown in freedoms. "I wanted to attend Duke."
"But you went to Yale."
I nodded. "Within driving distance. Home for Sunday dinner every week." I didn't mention the weekly visits with the Dean or the updates the sorority house mom would send my parents. And god forbid I ever tell them about the arranged dates or vetting of roommates.
He ran a hand through his hair, leaving a messy trail behind. "I didn’t know."
I shrugged, glancing away. "It’s doesn’t matter now."
We were both quiet for a long moment as we people watched. The glances sent my way had slowly eased as the vultures found new prey to pick over.
"Why are you still friends with her?" He asked quietly. "She treats you like shit."
I huffed out a laugh. "Bess may seem selfish, but she’s actually a really good friend."
"Bullshit. Pete was going to ask you out before she made her move."
I didn’t answer.
"You already knew…" He pushed off the table, turning to me fully. "You knew. When? When did you find out?"
I raised a shoulder, watching an old lady pick over a tray of mini-quiches as if this were her most important decision ever.
"And what?" Josh demanded. "You just chose to do nothing?"
"I was going to ask you, you know?" Pete was drunk, his words tripping and slurring as he tried to communicate.
Spring break, we were in Cancun with Bess and four of our friends. Bess was currently dirty dancing with a hot local across the bar. I’d been assigned as "sober sister" for the night. I didn’t mind. Pete and Bess had been "broken up" for over twelve months and finally, finally, I felt like this trip was my opportunity. No longer would I be shoved in the friend-zone. Tonight, I was making my move.
"Ask me what?" I said, smiling indulgently. His blonde hair flopped adorably over his spectacularly blue eyes as he looked up at me, dopey smile in place.
"To date." He slurred. "Me." His finger poked himself in the chest emphatically.
I jerked back. "What? When?"
"Originally." He replied, "But Besssh, she said you weren’t interested."
My head whipped around to look at Bess gyrating against the local, then back to Pete. "What?!"
