He had the sneaking suspicion, given his sister’s wandering eyes, Larry’s hand on the elbow, and his mother’s coordinated outfit, that friend really meant boyfriend. Which he didn’t think he liked at all.
“Since a while.”
As the pair grew closer, Larry leaned over and whispered in his mother’s ear, giving her behind a soft tap. She laughed and swatted at his hand.
“What an idiot,” Houston said in disgust. His mother had never dated, not since his father had left fifteenyears earlier. He couldn’t see why she would have waited all that time and then would hook up with Larry of the beach grope.
“Actually, he’s really nice. He’s very good to Mom.” Kori shot him a worried look. “Just give him a chance.”
“So you’ve met him before?” Now he was seriously annoyed. He wasn’t important enough to his mother to introduce him to her boyfriend?
“Yes, quite a few times. And before you overreact, Mom didn’t tell you because she was worried about your reaction. She didn’t want you to get upset.”
Too late. And there was no further chance to discuss it. His mother and Larry were upon them and suddenly his mother was giving nervous, fluttering introductions and he was forced to smile and nod politely while Larry shook his hand and clapped him on the back.
“It’s great to finally meet you, Houston. Your mother has told me so much about you. How’s the leg?”
“Better. Almost healed.” Houston gritted his teeth and forced his hand to unclench.
His mother, clearly nervous, touched his shoulder. “Where’s your hat, Houston? You’ll be broiled like a fish.”
He’d already been chewed on like one, what was a little broiling? “Mom. Do you think I surf with a hat? I don’t need a hat.”
His mother put her hands on her hip. “And what’s so great about surfing? It got you bit up by a shark, didn’t it? I’d be happy if you never set foot in that ocean again.”
Larry guided his mother forward with a hand on her waist. “Have a seat, Fran, and leave the poor boy alone.” His mother sank into the chair next to him like she was perfectly used to Larry giving her directions. Houston wanted to put a fist in his face.
“And Houston’s accident was one in a million. Surfing isn’t any more dangerous than walking across a busy street. You’re more likely to get struck by lightning than attacked by a shark.”
At least the man had a modicum of sense. Houston felt a shredmore tolerant towards him until his mother said, “That’s true, Larry,” ignoring the fact that Houston had been telling her the same thing for over a week.
When Kori’s kids came running out of the water with Christian and launched themselves at Larry with an enthusiasm normally reserved for a blue cartoon dog, Houston wanted to grab a sand pail and puke in it. Clearly everyone just loved Larry.
Then he saw Josie. Walking across the sand with a soft little welcoming smile on her face, her body hidden by a voluminous white T-shirt. And he felt comforted. Like just being with her took some of the pressure off, made him relax and want to sit back and enjoy life.
“Hey,” he said, reaching out and brushing a finger across her hand when she stopped in front of him.
“Hey.” She twisted the toe of her dirty little sneakers into the sand. “I brought my friend Sara with me. I hope you don’t mind.”
Houston said hello to the tall blonde who waved from behind Sara. “No, I don’t mind. I’ve got my whole family with me.”
And Larry.
Houston made introductions, very aware of Kori and Christian’s raised eyebrows. He wasn’t exactly known for bringing a woman to a family outing. His mother didn’t look all that surprised, but then she was probably too busy giggling with Larry to notice.
“Have a seat,” Kori offered, patting the towel next to her. “Sorry, we’re out of chairs.”
“That’s okay.” Josie sat on the towel and crossed her legs, her friend Sara squeezing in next to her. “It’s just nice to get out of the hospital and finally make it to the beach.”
“I don’t know how you do it, being a doctor, I mean. The hours would kill me,” Kori said. “Just taking care of my two girls wears me out.”
“Oh, raising children is much harder than being a doctor,”Josie said, earning her a beaming smile from his sister and making Houston superfluous to their conversation.
They were off and running, both chattering on with barely any breaks for air. Houston felt compelled to be polite and talk to Sara, who was hugging her knees to her chest and looking a little uncomfortable.
“I’ve seen you at the hospital before with Josie. You’re a doctor?”
Sara nodded. “Pediatrician.”