Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)(73)

Ever since I told my family I was bringing someone home for Christmas, it’s all they talk about. Knowing my sisters, they probably have a phone tree set up to share little details they find out about Jesse. For the last two weeks, one of them has called daily to interrogate me. What does she like to eat? What's her favorite color? My sister actually asked me her bra size, and after that, I shut down all further conversations about Jesse. It pissed them off, but my family is nuts. I know this is a big deal to them.

Over the last few years, the women in my family have given at least two lectures a month about moving on and finding someone new. When that didn't work, they tried to recruit my dad and brothers-in-law to help their "Save Brett" mission. Luckily the men refused.

I'm nervous as hell about introducing Jesse to my family. It's such a big step, and if wasn't for the idea of her spending Christmas alone getting drunk with Kara, I'm not sure I would have invited her at all. Well, at least that's what I tell myself. I can't remember ever being this excited about Christmas and I know it's all because of her.

"You people need to take a deep breath, and calm the hell down. You're going to scare her if you bombard her like this." My words don't faze them in the least. My mom walks over to the door and searches outside as if I may have forgotten Jesse on the front porch.

"Jesus. She isn't with me. She and Kara are driving themselves over after they run some last minute errands." I hand my sister the boxes in my left hand. "Erin, can you wrap these for me. Nothing crazy. I have a one bow limit with gifts I give people, so keep that in mind."

"You should have Leah do it then. Jesse would think it was sweet if one of the kids wrapped her presents."

"Oh, shut up! Don't be jealous! I give better presents so no one cares how they are wrapped," my oldest sister Leah snaps over at Erin.

"What time are they supposed to be here?" my mom asks, almost giddy.

"Ma, you have got to calm down. She’s not like Sarah. She's quiet and this family is crazy enough without the added excitement. Don't swarm her when she gets here. Now, Kara is another story. She will fit right in to this loony bin. Focus on her."

"Brett Thomas, it is not every day my only son brings home a woman. I'm allowed to be excited. I won't embarrass you, but I can't wait to meet her.

"I promise, son," dad says, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "I'll keep them in check."

"Right, that's worked so well for you over the years," I say sarcastically. My dad can't control the Sharp women any better than I can. It's a lost cause. I'd be better off just warning Jesse.

As if she heard us talking about her, there is a knock at the door. I hand the last of her gifts to my sister to hide in the back room and head to the door. I take a deep breath and look back at my family all wedged into the tiny hall. Rolling my eyes, I pull open the door.

"Brett!" Kara squeals launching herself into my arms. She slams into me causing me to stumble back a few steps. "I can't believe you're introducing me to your family already!" she continues to shriek.

I'm about to get pissed when I look up to see Jesse softly laughing. She's wearing a clingy white sweater and a light blue scarf that sets off her brown eyes. Jesus, she's beautiful. I pry Kara from my body. Not bothering with introductions, I swipe one arm around Jesse’s waist and pull her in for a quick, deep kiss.

I can't help it. I know my family is watching, and she's stiff, but it’s worth every second of the shit I'm going to catch for it later. Still holding her, I spin to see eight surprised and confused faces. Giggling, Kara loops her arm through mine. It occurs to me that while my family is full of nut jobs, Kara Reed is going to give them all a run for their money.

Judging by the smiles on the men’s faces, they are all assuming I'm part of some kinky threesome. I should probably correct this assumption. If Jesse wasn't tensing beside me, I'd let this go on the rest of the day. However, I don't want to make her uncomfortable the very first time she meets my family.

"Everyone, this is Jesse Addison." I pull her against my body. "And this," I roughly snatch my arm away, "is her very affectionate best friend, Kara Reed."

"Hello, ridiculously attractive Sharp family!" Kara waves from beside me. Even with her antics, she may as well be invisible. All eyes are on Jesse. My mom is the first to speak up. Only she doesn't actually say anything at all. Tears spring to her eyes as she shoves my sisters out of the way and rushes forward dragging Jesse into a hug. Not awkward at all.

Releasing her, she steps away and extends a hand, "Hi Jesse, I'm Evelyn Sharp, Brett's mom."

Jesse takes her hand, "Jesse Addison. It's so nice to meet you." My whole family is still watching them like the freak show at the circus.

"Ladies, this is my sister Erin and her husband Jack, Leah and her husband Ryan, and the tall guy in the corner is my dad Will. Everyone, this is Jesse and Kara." No sooner than I finish, everyone rushes forward welcoming both women with open arms.

As my loved ones all gather around her, amongst the chaos of a million introductions, I hear the most amazing sound that only Jesse can give me...silence.



THE AFTERNOON flies by. The women drink wine and hang out in the kitchen, and the men lounge around the den making sure the kids don't destroy the Christmas tree. Kara fits right into my family, and if I'm not mistaken, I overheard her talking to Erin about a date with Jack's younger brother. As expected, Jesse is quiet. I can tell she's overwhelmed by the barrage of questions from my family, but she holds nothing back. She answers everything they throw at her.