Finding Joy

Chapter 8

"Lauren bring yo ass!" I heard Jackson yell

"I said I'm coming." I yelled back down looking at my outfit.

I have on a pair of overall shorts with a mesh blouse underneath and black hightop sneakers.

I ran down the stairs and grabbed my truck keys, phone, lip gloss and my wallet. I didn't want to bring a purse, I never really do, so I grabbed my cross over bag and left out with my jean jacket in hand.

"How do I look?" I asked once I reached downstairs.

"Like your brothers are gonna send you back upstairs to change." Asia said.

"That means I look cute. Thanks." I said with a smile.

"Damn, finally you're down here." Chris said shaking his head.

"Looks like you need to go back upstairs too." James said.

"What! I look cute." I said with a pout.

"Leave your sister alone. She's going out just like she is. She looks beautiful." My mother said defending me.

"Thank you mommy." I said smiling and walking out the door just as Devin pulled up.

Perfect timing.

"Were you about to leave without me?" He asked.

"No. I was gonna wait outside for you. My brothers don't too much care for my outfit and I didn't want them trying to take me back in the house before we got the chance to leave." I said.

"Oh okay, Well I think you look beautiful." He said smiling at me.

I bit my lip and looked away. "Thank you." I said

"Dang girl. You shy?" He asked.

I giggled and hit his chest.

"We ready to go." James said.

"Okay. We are gonna drive our vehicles. How y'all tryna split up?" I asked him.

"Guys and girls." Chris said.

"Okay, cool fine with me." Devin said smiling.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. I know they are about to grill him.

"Fine." I said.

"Y'all can let yourselves inside." He said. Once my brother finished helping their wives inside my truck.

"Don't worry beautiful, they gonna grill me and I can handle it." He said to me.

I smiled at him lightly and nodded my head.

He opened my door, helping me inside and then closed my door.

"You lead, I'll follow." I said.

"Okay" he said getting into the truck and driving off.

"So, Lauren. Do you like him?"Tiffany asked.

"Yeah, but your husband is being an idiot about it." I grumbled.

"You know James is just trying to protect you." Asia said.

"He's overbearing. All of them are." I said.

"Joy. I wish I had brothers like him." Erica said making me want to roll my eyes.

"Alright." I said stopping the conversation.

It's seems to me that everyone forgets that I'm not twelve anymore. I'm grown. I don't need my brothers protecting me from everything and everyone.