Josh's Destiny

Chapter 5

This is not happening! You're a rock singer, not a Goddamn cop! Send the girl back home and let's get the hell out of New York!" bellowed Carl.

"No!" Josh replied. "Her home is a crime scene and she's got nowhere else to go." Josh knew this wasn't strictly true, but Carl didn't.

"Josh, you've pulled some damn stupid stunts before, but this takes the cake!"

"I can handle it, Carl. This way she's out of danger and the cops can work on finding this horse's ass."

"You've known this girl for two days, and now you wanna bring her on tour with us? Have you lost your Goddamn mind?"

"Why? We have other girls on the tour."

"And they have jobs on the tour. You aren't known for having groupies yet. I sort of promised your folks we'd refrain from that. Excuse my language here, but this is a big fuckin' mistake!"

"Then we can find her a job. I don't know what yet, but something."

"You ain't even asked her yet, have you?"

"Well, no. But when she wakes up, we're having some private time and I'm going to bring it up then."

"You really have gone off the deep end on this one, Josh. How do you think the other guys are going to feel about it?"

"They'll be okay. Destiny's not some raving lunatic..."

"No, but you might be" said a soft voice from behind him. Josh turned and found Destiny framed in the bedroom doorway. She almost took his breath away every time he saw her.

"Destiny, come in. After all, this really concerns you too" said Carl.

Destiny walked into the living area and sat down on the large sofa.

"I already know what it's about. The arguing woke me and I couldn't help overhearing."

"And? Are you for or against?" asked Carl.

Destiny faced Josh, a sad look in her eyes. "You are so sweet to want to protect me. But I have a life here in New York. I have my foster parents to consider, I have a job, I have a home, which I'll get back to in about a week, and I have responsibilities. Thank you, Josh, but the answer is no."

Josh was pacing the room. The door opened and Danny, Sam, and Jake strolled in. They took in the scene at a glance. Carl was looking madder than a wet hen, Josh was practically pacing a hole in the carpet, and a beautiful young woman was sitting on the sofa.

"Okay" said Danny, "What gives?"

"You wanna tell them, Josh? Or should I?" said Carl and he glowered at Josh.

Destiny cleared her throat and drew every eye in the room. "Your incredibly sweet brother has offered me a spot on your tour. But I had to turn him down."

All eyes turned to Josh. "Is she for real?" asked Jake.

Josh nodded his head and replied, "She is."

There was silence for about five seconds, and then the room fairly exploded with noise. Everyone but Destiny was talking at once and she closed her eyes. The noise went on until Destiny stood up and walked to the bedroom. She shut the door and walked out on the balcony. In a few minutes she heard the bedroom door open and close and then Josh came out to stand beside her.

She looked over at him and asked, "Did you get any sleep?"

"I got enough."

She reached out and moved an errant curl. "Doesn't look like it. I must have slept longer than you. Are you sure you'll be okay for tonight?"