Page 14 of Unexpected Love

Joe moves back toward me and scoops me up in his arms. “What are you doing?”

“You need to rest. Which bedroom is yours?” We reach my room, and my cats are both lounging on my bed. “What kind of cats are those? They’re fucking huge.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That’s Ragnar and Lagertha. They’re Maine Coons. They’re named after my favorite characters from the show Vikings.”

Joe lays me down on top of my bed, and immediately both my babies snuggle into me. He just shakes his head and leaves my room. Is he leaving? Wow, not even a goodbye. Of course, he returns a few minutes later with a cup in his hand.

“I didn’t know what you wanted in your tea, so I left it plain.” I sit up in bed and take the mug from him.

“Thanks. I hate tea, so it doesn’t really matter what I do to it because it all tastes like a dirty dishrag.” Joe throws his head back and laughs. It’s a rich, full-bodied sound that creates little flutters in my stomach. He looks back down at me, and the smile on his face is so beautiful it takes my breath away.

“I’ve never heard it described that way before.”

We lapse into an awkward silence. I set my mug down and pick up Laggie. “Sweet baby kitty.” She answers me with a meow. The bed compresses next to me as Joe sits down so close to me we’re practically touching.

Joe grabs Lagertha from my lap and holds her up so she’s facing him. “Which one is this?”

“Lagertha.” I’m waiting for him to make fun of me.

“Are you a shield maiden?” he asks. Her answer is another meow, and she doesn’t look happy. Ragnar doesn’t like being ignored, so he puts his paws on Joe’s upper back and begins to purr loudly. “These are the coolest fucking cats I’ve ever seen. The one behind me is Ragnar?”

“Yes, and thank you, they are pretty cool.” I grab my tea, taking a small sip when I hear the front door open. I expect it to be the dads and Carter but smile widely when Eli walks into my bedroom. Eli is half-black and half-Mexican and has bleached hair dyed dark blue. His dark chocolate eyes take in Joe sitting next to me on the bed and then look to me.

“Hi, honey.” I climb off the bed and gingerly walk toward him. “Did Carter call you?”

“Yeah, he said you fainted. Is this him?” He looks to Joe.

“Joe, this is Eli, my best friend, bandmate, and pain in my ass. Eli, this is Joe Carmichael. He’s Vi’s cousin and well…um…you know.” They shake hands, and I can tell Eli wants to try and intimidate him, but Joe’s got at least two inches and a hell of a lot more muscle on him.

“Nice meeting you, Eli.”

“You too.” Eli looks at me and mouths fucking hot.

I shake my head and roll my eyes as I hear Joe chuckle. Joe knows he’s hot—I don’t know why I should’ve even been surprised that Eli had that reaction.

My parents and brother return shortly after, and honestly, I want everyone gone. I’m grateful they want to help and take care of me, but they’ll hover, and I don’t want or need anyone hovering over me.

I’m not sure why Joe’s still here, but he is and hasn’t really left my side. Both of my dads keep giving him dirty looks, but Joe takes it in stride. He even tries to engage them in conversation. Eli has his arm wrapped around me, and his lips are tipped up in a smile.

“This is positively the most entertaining show I’ve seen in a long time.”

A giggle escapes before I can stop it. “I know, right?” I kiss Eli’s cheek before moving toward my family. “I love you guys, but you can go now. You all have to work, and I’m obviously going to stay home tomorrow.”

Carter looks at Joe, then back at me. “Are you sure?”

“Thank you, but yes, I’m sure. I already feel bad that you got pulled away from work.” I turn to look at my fathers. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got my medicine, and you’re close by in case I need you.”

“Fine, but you call us before you go to bed,” Pops says as he kisses my forehead.

Next is Dad, who hugs me tight. “I love you, baby girl.” He punctuates his words with a kiss to my cheek.

“Eli, let’s go. You need to get home, too. I don’t need you going all mother hen on me too.” I turn to Joe. “I’ll be right back unless you’re planning on leaving too.”

“I’ll wait right here.” I nod and follow my family outside and watch them all drive away.

Nervous anticipation fills me as I enter my house and find Joe where I left him, in the kitchen. I lean against the doorjamb and watch him. He’s slathering saltines with peanut butter and arranging them on a plate. “I can’t eat all of those.”

“They’re actually for both of us. Your brother said this is the only thing you’ve been able to eat. If I can’t take you to dinner, then this is the next best thing.” Grabbing the plate, he leads me to the kitchen table. After setting the plate down, he pulls my chair out.

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