Chapter 12

I turned to see Jon grabbing his coat and glared at my brother. Taking a deep breath I turned back to Jon. “Jon you don't have to leave its okay .. its a misunderstanding... and my brother is not going to shoot you are you Caleb?” I was frustrated and asking myself why did I care if Jon left or not. Maybe it was because for the first time in my twenty three years I had someone to talk to that wasn't family. That actually talked me about my interests someone who actually wanted to talk to me for nothing more than to just talk. Not asking me for anything or having me do something for them or make fun of me. “really Jon put your coat down You don't have to leave unless you really want to...”

Caleb looked at me then at Jon begrudgingly “I am not going to shoot you man... “ he shook his own head tiredly running a hand through his coarse dark hair. “and if my sister ..” he shot me another look. “My sister says you can stay here I don't have a right to tell you that you can't.. like she said its her apartment....” He held out his hand after standing up. I could tell he didn't trust Jon completely but he was wiling to give the guy a chance because of me. “truce?”

Jon looked at the hand for a second then grasped it and shook. “yeah man .. truce .. but really I don't have to stay here if its a problem...”

My brother snorted “well Shanna is right there isn't no hotels or motels here and I think my baby sister would have my head which is a shock .. if I made her guest have to drive all the way to the next town to get a room.” He gave me a look. “so if he's staying in the spare room where am I going to sleep ...I am not sharing the couch with Jovi especially as he's not too fond of me right now... “ He looked at Jovi who was standing between him and Jon as if warning him to stay away from his new friend.

I had to stifle a laugh I had never seen Jovi take to anyone like he did to Jon. I covered my mouth to cough as if I was trying to hide the giggle. “well I am not sure ...”

Jon made the decision for both of us “I'll take the couch Shanna, he's your brother … I can stand to sleep on the couch with Jovi, I don't mind....” He offered.

I frowned knowing he had issues with his back okay so I did know more about Jon than I had previously admitted to the singer. I was torn as I didn't want to shove my brother out on the couch and I didn't want Jon to feel unwelcome after all I DID tell him he could use the bedroom for as long as he needed. I sighed rubbing my forehead. “Caleb ….”

“no I am not sleeping on the damn couch... Shanna Leah.... “ He shook his head at me.

“you have a perfectly good bed at home then...” I was annoyed. Usually I had no problem with my brother staying at my apartment but right now it was just a hassle.

“I said I'd sleep on the couch Shanna..” Jon stated. “I don't have a problem with it... “

“Yes but I have a problem with it Jon I told you that you could use that bed for as long as you needed to...” I sighed. “you know what … this is ridiculous .. I'll take the couch... Caleb you can go sleep in my bed... I have to go back to work anyway .. and don't kill my house guest ...” I really didn't want to go back to work cause there was bound to be questions by Jake and hell Karianne. I took another deep breath. “Jon can you do me a favor and take Jovi out for a walk or something .. I don't think he's going to let Caleb walk him... I promise I'll be back in a couple hours...” He just nodded as I headed back out really not wanting to go back there but I had to go back to work.

The minute I walked in all eyes turned to me but I ignored them grabbed my apron and went back to work. I just hoped that the shift went quickly so I could go back home and avoid all the questions. When Jake beckoned me to the back I knew that wish would never bee fulfilled. I headed into the back “yes Jake?”

“I am not trying to be in your business Shanna I just worried that's all. Is everything okay?” He put his hand on mine.

“everything is fine .. it was a misunderstanding … everything is okay ..and thank you for the concern.” I stated quietly. I headed back out front only to run Karianne who planted herself in front of me making it impossible to get out front. “Karianne will you please move..”

“so Mr Hunky blue eyes is at your apartment....” She snarled.

I ignored her and finally got around her not even dignifying her comment with a response. I just waited for the rest of my shift to finish so I could go home. Thankfully it was only a three hour shift before I headed back home. I got a nice surprise when I got there. The smell that reached me when entered my apartment was only one word delicious. The other surprise I found was Jon and my brother were sitting at my kitchen table playing Gin rummy. Not sure how this came about but I wasn't going to knock it. As long as Caleb wasn't grilling him and wasn't telling Jon stuff he didn't need to know I was okay with it. “what's that smell?”

“Rock star over here cooked some kind of spaghetti thing there's some heating on the stove for ya..” Caleb stated. He had changed out of his uniform and was dressed in his regular jeans and a sweatshirt.

“you didn't have to do that Jon .. I could have grabbed a sandwich when I got home..” I stated before grabbing a plate. IT did look good and smelled wonderful. When Jon got up and filled my plate before setting on the table for me I just looked at him. “uh thanks..” I shook my head “so have you two boys been behaving..” I asked. “no more threatening to shoot anyone?”

Jon laughed it was a rich sound, that caused goosebumps up and down my arms. Thankfully I was wearing a long sleeve shirt. “Yeah we behaved … and its spaghetti Bearnaise , something my mom taught me to cook... we just sat here talking ...then your brother asked if I played cards just been doing that after we ate dinner..” He watched me eat for a minute.

I looked up after I only ate about half . “what?”

“You sure don't eat a lot..” Was his only remark. I didn't see Caleb shake his head at Jon not to continue that line of questioning.

My face flushed “I don't … eat a lot … it was good though..” I wrapped the rest up in the fridge. “Cal we have some stuff that he made this morning for breakfast if you want to take it into the station tomorrow... “

Caleb laughed “quite the little home maker ain't ya man...” He just laughed harder when Jon flipped him off with a grin. They went back to their card game while I finished up cleaning up my plate. It was getting later soon after playing a few hands we started to get ready for bed.

That's when the arguments started “Jon its fine .. go on to bed I have slept on my couch many times....” I stated as I made the couch into a bed. I pointed to the bedroom.

“But I feel bad that you're stuck on the couch while us guys have the beds...” He stood next to the couch with his arms crossed his chest. “I can take the couch...it's not a problem...” He tried to take the blanket from me.

I stared at him for a second “you are stubborn aren't you ...” He just gave him a grin.if he thought that was me giving in. “but I'm more stubborn than you thought of .. so no … you got the bed now..” I yanked the blanket out of his hand. “I am taking the couch Caleb's already crashed on my bed .. I'm tired I want to go to sleep...” I had already changed into my pajamas earlier so I slid onto the couch Jovi jumped up on the couch with me laying his head on my legs. “good night Jon..” I turned over on my side leaving him standing there with a dumbfounded look on his face. I really had to stifle a giggle on that one, what was happening to me. I had never acted or felt like this before... but before I could contemplate on it I was asleep.