All the characters in this story are 18 or older.
The story is a work of fiction.
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Josh was racing down Interstate-95 when he heard the familiar ding from his phone letting him know he had received a message. He need not look at his phone to know that it would be from his mother, but he peeked at the lock screen anyway. Confirming his suspicions he saw 'Lucifer <3 - text message'. Shaking his head and trying to concentrate on the road he quickly swiped up on the home screen and saw:
Lucifer <3: Your butt better be on that plane by now. Your aunt is going to be waiting when you touch down in California. Be good!
Of course Josh was not on the plane to California. He hadn't even gone through security yet, but his mother was overly-prepared, and he simply wasn't going to wait around in Philadelphia International for two hours like he would if she was in charge of the situation. He had enough on his mind. Josh was taking visiting his aunt and uncle out in LA for a couple of weeks while he visited different schools. Hopefully at the end of this trip he would know whether or not he'd like to attend school there next fall. Just as important was his decision as to whether or not he could co-habitate living with his Aunt and Uncle for at least four years. They had offered to provide housing their favorite nephew IF he decided to attend one of the local schools.
This was a big question because, though Josh loved his aunt Jessie and uncle Greg, he hadn't actually seen them in the five years since they moved from Jersey to Cali. The time it took for them to get set up and established, coupled with an unforeseen pandemic, had hindered any chance of either his family visiting them or vice versa. They were by far his favorite Aunt and Uncle, and he hoped that hadn't changed.
Finally at the airport, Josh parked his car in the lot and sprinted his way towards his terminal. He lucked out with security and made it to his gate with ten whole minutes to spare. "In your face, mom" he muttered and laughed to himself as he took his seat. The phone dinged again, but this time the screen flashed 'Aunt Jessie - text message'. He slid it open.
Aunt Jessie: O-M-G Joshy, I hope you made it on your flight okay. I can't wait to see you! I'll be outside of baggage claim when you land. Just text me if you can't find me<3
Josh: All good so far! I can't wait to see both of you either!
He typed that message and one more to his mom where relayed that he had gotten to his seat with plenty of time to spare. Soon after, they instructed all passengers to turn their cellphones to airplane mode, and soon after that they were in the air and on their way West.
Fast forward five hours and Josh was wiggling his way out of his cramped seat and shuffling off the plane. Josh was six feet and one inch tall, and couldn't fathom how anyone taller could survive in one of those seats for more than five hours. His legs were cramped and he was tired, but the warm sunshine coming through the windows briefly rejuvenated him, and with some extra pep in his step he navigated himself towards baggage claim.
Once there, it was another twenty minute wait for his bags to get pushed down the conveyor, but once he spotted them he scooped them up with ease and eagerly made his way towards the sliding doors outside in hopes of additional sunshine and the comfort of his aunt Jessie's car AC. He stepped outside the baggage claim and scanned down the long pick-up area to his left, and then to his right, but his aunt wasn't hard to spot. About a city block down the way she was standing beside what he assumed was her car. She wore a light blue sundress that clung to her body like saran wrap.
The family told jokes about how Josh's mom, or Jessie's sister, had gotten the ass of the family. If she did, then Jessie got everything else. It had been five years since Josh saw her, but he realized in this moment that he was seeing her with new-eyes. The sun flashed off the streaks of blonde that were mixed in with her naturally brown hair. She turned and his eyes connected with her eyes that mirrored her hair color. She had bangs that kind of framed her face and the strands almost perfectly connected to the dimples in her cheeks. Josh couldn't help his eyes from continuing downwards to her chest where the sundress she wore jutted outward as it conformed to her busty chest-line. He tried to push-out the thoughts creeping into his mind and his started making his way past people and towards her.
As he approach he heard Jessie call out "Josh is that actually you?" Josh navigated through the last group of people in front of him and replied "In the flesh". Jessie put her arms around Josh as he came within reach and Josh was all too eager to return the hug. Her hazel hair fell over his shoulder and her body pressed to his. He could feel her curves against his body which did nothing to help those creeping thoughts. "Wow, someone has been working out huh?" Jessie jested as she wrapped a hand around one of Josh's biceps and gestured to it, breaking their embrace. Josh laughed, slightly embarrassed, though he wasn't sure why. "Yeah, I was nearly late for my flight trying to get one last workout in."
"Well it seems to be paying off" Jessie replied raising an eyebrow and laughing. "You won't have to give up the exercise while you're here though. Your uncle was sure to set up a home-gym in the basement."
This news genuinely elated Josh. "Oh, that's awesome. Yeah, I can't wait to see it and the house in general." Josh was walking and talking as he followed Jessie about fifteen yards down the pick-up lane to what he assumed was her car. "Yeah, well we're excited to show you everything Josh. However, your uncle won't be with us for at least the next two weeks. Unfortunately he's away for work." Josh could see his aunt's expression change for a fleeting moment, but she began speaking again "But I know he wishes he could have been here to see you when you arrived."
Josh placed his bags in the open trunk and made his way to the passengers side, swiftly joined by his aunt in the driver's seat. "Okay, you must be starving, right? Shall we stop for food? Whatever you want it's your choice." Josh was grinning ear to ear as he answered "Well, I've always wanted to try In-N-Out."
Jessie chuckled "Of course. In-N-Out it is." They spent the majority of the ride to the famous burger joint chit-chatting and talking about family gossip. Once they secured the goods they made their way to Jessie and Greg's home where they dumped their food on the kitchen bar and began to feast. "Mmmm this was such a good idea, Josh!" Jessie said taking a large bite of her burger. "I'm full of them" Josh retorted "and you should pass that information along to my mother." Speaking of" Jessie began "did you ever text her that you landed?"
Josh looked back at her sheepishly. "Please text your mother so we have some peace and quiet while you're here, for both of us." Jessie giggled as she said it. Josh swiftly pulled out his phone and began typing up a message assuring his mother that he arrived safely, and that him and aunt Jessie had just eaten. "There, done" Josh said looking at Jessie. "You're going to thank me for that later" Jessie chuckled in response. Jessie looked at the remnants of the food in front of her "I don't know about you, but I feel like I can barely move." Josh nodded in agreement and clutched at his stomach.
"In spite of our mutual discomfort I should probably show you around the place, and most importantly... your room for while you're here." Jessie stood and began to clear the remnants of their food from the table. "Awesome, let's do it" josh responded excitedly. Jessie proceeded to tour Josh around the the two-level home. They started in the backyard where she showed off the pool and made their way into the reconverted basement which was now a gym enthusiasts dream. "Wow" josh exclaimed seeing all the equipment "I can see how you stay in such good shape" he said laughing lightly. "Impressed are we?" his aunt jested "The best part is back there." She pointed as she said it. Josh walked down the small hall and turned to the right where it looked like what used to be a storage room had been converted into a sauna. "You have your own sauna?" he asked incredulously. "I may never leave." He laughed as he said it, but part of him was serious. He was already looking forward to working out here.
"I'm glad you like it," Jessie smiled and added " and it's available for your use whenever you'd like, but be careful as it does get quite hot in there." Josh looked down the small hall back at her still wearing that sundress she was in when he arrived and his eyes drifted up and down his aunt's body as he let out "I bet" softly and then hoping she didn't hear him or notice his lingering eyes.
"Here, let me show you where you'll be sleeping." Jessie called and Josh followed. They made their way to the second floor where Jessie showed him a sizeable room directly down the hall from hers and his uncle's bedroom. "Here you are." She held out both hands exaggeratively. "It's not the Westin, but it should do while your here."
"No, it's absolutely perfect, and thanks again for everything."
"It's absolutely no problem, Josh. Honestly, I'm so excited you're here. Its been so long and it can get kind of lonely with your Uncle traveling. It's a big house for little old me" she chuckled. "Well, anyway, I figure your probably tired with all the travel so how about you make yourself at home, and then tomorrow maybe we can go for a hike or something? There's plenty of great spots around here."
"That sounds great" Josh agreed. His aunt extended her arms for a hug. Josh was actually concerned as the image of his aunt was giving him complicated thoughts. His lingering stares in the basement had given him a semi that hadn't quite gone away, but he reached out and embraced his aunt carefully pushing his butt out as to not get close enough that she might notice. "We're going to have to work on your hugs muscle-man" Jessie said as she pushed a finger into Josh's firm pectoral. Josh laughed uncomfortably, but Jessie proceed to adjourn to her room.