Sudden Response (EMS #1)(8)

She walked into the house, surprised when she didn't spot anyone in the living room. The smell of pot roast immediately hit her as she headed towards the kitchen. "Mom?" she called out.

"We're in the kitchen, sweetie!" Alice yelled back.

"Yeah, sweetie, we're in the kitchen!" Nathan added mockingly.

Smart ass.

She walked into the kitchen to find Nathan, tall with blond hair instead of Eric's dark brown hair, and blue eyes sitting at the table, holding hands with a very pretty plump woman. That was one thing she always loved about Nathan, he cared more about the woman on the inside rather than what she looked like. No doubt Joe would like her.

She found Eric sitting on the counter, looking uncomfortable under the gaze of a woman with long wavy red hair and a bit too much make up and too thin to be healthy. She looked to be mid twenties and really into fashion, judging by her overdone dress and amount of costume jewelry she wore. Joe doubted her bone thin arm was strong enough to move under the weight of the insane amount of bracelets she wore.

Joe didn't think she'd ever understand why Alice took it as her personal mission in life to find a girlfriend for her youngest son. He was incredibly good looking if you liked the bad boy look mixed with a touch of adorable, which she did, but that was neither here nor there. He never lacked options. They couldn't go anywhere without some woman shoving her number at him. So, why Alice thought he needed help she'd never know.

"About time you got your lazy ass here," Eric said with a wink.

"Eric Parish!" Alice said, sounding more shocked than she really should at this point.

"Yeah, Eric," she said, sticking her tongue out like a two year old.

As she passed him on the way to the fridge he swatted her on the ass. Hard.

"Eric!" Alice snapped.

"What?" he asked, looking and sounding innocent.

Joe just barely resisted the urge to rub her ass. Damn that stung, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing it did. Their relationship was complicated and admittedly very weird.

She put the ice cream away and palmed an ice cube.

"Sweetie, this is Nathan's girlfriend, Caitlyn and this is my friend Camie," she said, not mentioning Camie was meant to be Eric's date. No doubt the man would outright bolt if she did. He didn't want to date anyone right now or at least hadn't found anyone he liked.

"It's very nice to meet both of you," Joe said as she casually walked behind Eric. Quickly and discretely, she shoved the ice cube down the back of his pants.

She heard him suck in a breath and had to smile. Immediate retribution was always nice.

"Camie, Caitlyn, this is our Joe," Alice said, gesturing towards Joe before she gave her a quick hug and a kiss.

Joe walked past Eric just barely missing another swat on the ass as he stood up to rid himself of the ice. She walked over and gave Nathan a big hug and a kiss and shook Caitlyn's hand.

"So, you're their sister?" Camie asked, eying Joe up and down.

Nathan chuckled. "She's mom's favorite brat, my pain in the ass sister, and Eric's bitch."

Caitlyn covered her mouth to hide a giggle. No doubt she already knew the whole story behind their family. Camie looked really confused and mom's face went completely red.

"Nathan Parish!"

"What?" Nathan asked, still laughing. Joe playfully swatted him.

Eric shrugged unconcerned. "It's true," he said simply. He pursed his lips up thoughtfully. "Actually, if anything I'm her bitch."

Joe sighed and nodded. "That's true. You are my bitch."

"Josephine!" Alice said, obviously fighting back a smile. "You're going to make them think I raised you like this!"

Nathan blinked. "You did."

"I did not!"

"Oh, come on, mom. No need to pretend. Everyone knows you raised the three of us to be foul mouthed little bastards," Eric said, egging his mother on.

Caitlyn laughed while Camie looked utterly confused. If Joe had to guess the woman didn't have a clue they were all joking. It only took two minutes after meeting Alice to know she was a down to earth wholesome woman. She raised the three of them with more love than anyone could ever hope for.

"So...." Camie began. "I'm really confused."

Nathan and Eric sighed at the same time. Joe decided to set the table and leave it up to the guys to explain their odd little family.

"Okay, I'll explain our little family dynamic since I get a kick out of it," Nathan said cheerfully.

"Oh, brother," Alice muttered with a fond smile.

********

Eric settled into a chair safely away from the woman his mother was trying to throw at him. He seriously had to question her mental status on this one. Not one single woman he dated, not even Beth, the woman he'd been engaged to, was anything like this. This woman was too focused on her clothes and appearance to know anyone else existed. She'd already sent Caitlyn a dismissive look and a look to his mother he didn't particular like. To top it off she wouldn't stop staring at him like she owned him. It was really annoying and a bit frightening. He was half afraid that if he turned his back on her that she'd brand his ass.

He sat back in his chair and let his eyes roam over Joe. He definitely hadn't missed the nasty look Camie sent Joe when she walked into the kitchen. His upbringing was the only thing that prevented him from tossing her out on her ass at the moment.