In Love with a Lunatic (joshler)

21. Head While I'm Driving*

Sunday
April 6

Tyler smiles lightly as he walks inside, Josh close behind him.

"Hey, guys!" Laura grins happily, hugging her son before Tyler. "How are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm doing good," Tyler beams sheepishly as Laura fixes his hair.

Josh clears his throat suddenly, "Uh, mom?"

"Yeah?"

"Baby, you wanna go sit in the living room? I'll be there in a minute."

Tyler nods lightly and makes his way to the living room where Josh's father smiles kindly at him.

Josh walks over to the bottle of wine on the counter and picks it up, turning to his mother, "Can we not have this?"

"I thought you liked that kind? It's the one from that wine place in Toledo."

"I do, but Tyler can't be around alcohol," Josh explains quietly.

"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'll put it away," Laura replies, taking the bottle from her son's hands.

"Thank you though, I do like that kind."

Laura shuts the alcohol cabinet after replacing the bottle and turns back to Josh, her voice soft, "Why can he not be around alcohol?"

"Uh, he...he's had some issues with it and he's just trying to stay away from it for a while."

"Poor kid. How's he doing?"

"He's doing good. He, um, tried to hide one last week, but I found the bottle cap," Josh whispers, leaning back against the counter and crossing his arms. "He's been doing good the last week though. I'm so proud of him, mom."

"You should be. It's a hard thing to go through."

The older woman speaks again as she pulls their dinner out of the oven and sets it on the stove, "How are you doing, baby?"

Josh nods slowly with a gulp, "I'm okay."

Laura narrows her eyes at him, making him smile slightly, "It's rough. I feel like I have to protect him 24/7. I get so much anxiety when I'm not with him."

"Is it just because of the drinking?"

"I don't...I don't think so. He's gone through so much shit his whole life, and people are so mean to him. He's mean to himself."

"It's hard to watch. Especially if it's the person you're in love with."

Josh blushes and looks down with a nod, "Yeah."

"Does he know?"

"I hope so."

"Mrs. Dun?"

Laura smiles as Tyler walks into the kitchen, "Yeah, honey?"

"May I use your bathroom?"

"Of course! Josh will show you where it is. He's gotta wash up for dinner anyway. Will you get Abby and Jordan while you're up there?"

Josh nods, standing up straight, and leads Tyler upstairs.

-

Tyler sits quietly on the couch between Josh and Jordan, listening to Josh and his family talk about anything and everything that comes to their minds. He's actually enjoying it. It's been a long time since he's talked with his own family like this. Being at the Dun's house feels so homey and welcoming. He loves Josh's parents and siblings; they treat him like their own blood.

With Josh holding his hand, Tyler can't help but to laugh each time Josh talks with his hands, causing the brunette's arm to be pushed and pulled in whichever direction the man's own arm went.