28 A quick bite (1/2)

”I mean this only as a friend.” He said as he pushed his sunglasses back up onto the bridge of his nose.Before she could answer, the nurse walked back in with a hand full of papers and booklets.

”Here miss these are your discharge papers, treatment instructions, follow up appointment card, and some pamphlets the doctor thought you should have.” The nurse handed the paperwork to her and quickly left the room, shooting Xavier a glance on her way out.

Joslyn's eyes widened as she flipped through the papers, ”What the hell!” She shook her head and squished the stack of papers and booklets into her fist.As she stormed toward the door she dropped the stack into the trash can and marched out the door.

Xavier glanced down into the trash to see the writing on the top pamphlet and laughed out loud. He bent to grab the rest of the pamphlets from the can and flipped through them.

Joslyn quickly turned around and walked back toward him. The grin spreading across his face only made her madder. ”Put those back in the can and come on!” Xavier laughed again as he tossed them back down into the can, ”Are you sure you don't need information on battered women and abusive relationships? Some of those looked pretty informative.” She shot her a toothy grin, ”Just saying...”

She growled at him in response, spun on her heels and stomped out of the clinic.

”Where are you going?” Xavier asked as he chased after Joslyn.She had taken off down the street once she was out of the Clinic.

Joslyn didn't even bother looking behind her as she answered, ”The bus stop…” strong hands clamped down over her upper arm, pulling her to a stop. She closed her eyes tightly, praying for composure as Xavier used his grip on her arm to spin her around.

He ran his hand through his silky black hair in frustration, ”Look, I get it, I truly do, but you can't just take off down the road looking like that.” He indicated the large bandages covering the various wounds. ”Plus, where do you plan on going? Back home to two werewolves that apparently have both attacked you over the past few days?”He knew he had hit a nerve when she turned and tried pulling away from him.He gripped her arm more firmly.

Joslyn spun around again fury lighting the aqua depth of her eyes, ”So what? Now you are going to leave bruises on my body too? Let go!”

A stunned expression lit his face as he loosened his grip but didn't let go. ”Please, just hear me out. Okay?” Right then Joslyn's stomach growled loudly. Xavier laughed, ”How about we start with lunch?”

She sighed heavily as she shook her head yes. {Surely there would be no harm in a quick lunch...}

”Do you have a place in mind?” Xavier asked finally letting go of her arm. He let his hand brush hers hoping she would take it but instead she quickly shoved her hands into her pockets. {Well it was worth a shot anyways.}

”Shit…” Joslyn mumbled as she continued filling over the various areas she usually kept her cell phone. She glanced up to meet playfully inquisitive eyes.

Xavier crossed his arms over his chest and chuckled, ”Well don't stop on my account. Please, continue fondling yourself all you want.”

Joslyn could feel her cheeks heat up, ”Um, you wouldn't mind eating on the island, would you? I guess I forgot my phone earlier.I should probably stop by and see if my other roommate picked it up for me.”

Xavier shrugged his shoulders, ”Sure, no problem.” He threw her a playful grin, ”As long as you don't get me mauled, of course.”

The heat in her cheeks spread, ”No, um… Do you remember the girl with purple hair?” When he nodded yes, she continued. ”She works at the large bar and grill near the boardwalk where your party was.”

”Ah, you mean Calypso's bar and grill? That's near my new shop; I need to swing by there anyway.” He led the way to his jeep and quickly unlocked the passenger side door.He held it open and waited for her to get in.

Joslyn looked up at him uncomfortably, ”You know, you don't have to hold the door for me.”

He looked down at her with fake confusion, ”Why not? Have you suddenly become something other than a female?”

She gave him a bewildered look, ”No, why… that's kind of a strange thing to ask.”

He chuckled imitating an old world bow as he continued holding the door, ”I was taught that a gentleman always holds the door for a lady.”

Joslyn arched her brow at him, ”Is that so?” she climbed in before looking back at him, ”When were you raised? The 18th century?” She couldn't help the smile that turned up the corners of her lips as he busted out into laughter. {He was such a nice guy. Why did things have to be such a hot mess now.}

They drove in awkward silence for the longest time before Xavier finally spoke. He stared intently out the window as he said, ”You know, I don't expect anything from you.” He glanced over and met her surprised eyes. ”I'm not saying you didn't leave a lasting impression Friday night, but that aside I would really like nothing more than to be your friend and get to know you better.”

She turned away from him to stare out the passenger window. {Friend? Who was the last person I could call such a name beyond my current roommates.} Before a face could fully form in her mind she shook her head to dislodge the image.

He bunched his brows as he stared back out at the road. ”I know you may not be looking for a friend right now, but I can't help thinking you need one.”

She let out a sigh, ”No, you're right.I really don't have many friends outside of my roommates and now the relationships with them have gotten…. Complicated….” She shrugged her shoulders, ”Aside from a few coworkers and a few people I know around the college…. I really haven't gotten close to anyone since moving here.” She continued speaking, her mind in a foggy haze as she thought back over the past several years. ”Since leaving our homes 15 years ago and coming to the states; we have moved around frequently.I found it easier not to make friends outside of Shelly, Raven, and…. Russ…”

Xavier glanced over at her, deciding to take advantage of her sudden talkative mood and asked, ”I've wondered since I met you.Exactly how did you end up living with such unusual roommates?”

Joslyn was too lost in her own thoughts to think better of answering, ”I grew up with Raven, she and my mother were close.My mother was also very close to Russ and Shelly's parents, we frequently visited.I was fascinated with their culture and… well, them in general.I spent most of my free time with the twins as they grew.Then when their parents…” Joslyn's words trailed off as the painful memories came flooding back, tears began rolling down her face as she continued staring out the window.

Xavier reached over and brushed a tear from her cheek, ”I see.You don't have to continue if you don't want to.”

She turned back toward him, ”Sorry, I got lost in thought I guess.” She blushed as he brushed a loss strand of hair away from her face.She looked down at her lap before adding, ”You're really easy to talk to.”

He smiled as he clasped the steering wheel once more. {If I don't keep a tight grip on the wheel I'll be tempted to touch her more...} ”I'm glad you think so. So…, Your mother, is she…”

Joslyn jerked her head up to look at him, surprise colored her words as she answered, ”My mother?” It finally dawned on her what he was asking, ”Oh! She is still alive, Though I haven't seen or spoken to her in several years.She wasn't very happy about my decision to move her and help Raven with the twins.”

He gazed up at the red light as she asked, ”If you don't mind me asking, how did she end up with them in the first place.”

Joslyn frowned, ”It's a complicated story.” Her words trailed off as she turned and began staring out the window again.

They continued in silence for some time before Xavier announced, ”We're here.”