Shawnie's POV

Once we both were done getting ready, we headed to the salon. I met Jon's wife, Trinity. She was excited to meet me and she also styled my hair. She gave me the perfect blow out. She refused to take my money. She said any friend of Joes is a friend to her and she doesn't let her friends pay for her services. I was so satisfied with her skills and since she didn't take my money, I gave her a good review and shared her salon with my 4.5 million followers. When I come back to Vegas, I will definitely come to her again.

After we were done at the salon, we headed to his moms house. I remember the last time we had sex, I felt so weird afterwards. I was so nervous to be around him. It's not like that this time. I mean it is but it's not as bad. I guess it's a little weird because I'm about to meet his mom. This lady's son gave it to me so good, and that's all that's been in my mind today. I need to smoke.

We stopped at the grocery store for him to pick up what his mother needed and I stayed in the car. After a few minutes, I stepped out to smoke because I was a little anxious. I guess I just realized I was meeting his mom and he made it seem like it was a big deal and it wasn't to me, but now I kind of feel like it is. It shouldn't be because he's met all of my family and it's never been weird but it's different with Joe and I don't know why that is.

I take a few puffs to calm my nerves and I just let it take over. I see a lady walk by smiling at me but I don't pay her any mind, then I see a couple of young adults walk by waving and smiling at me as well. I politely waved back and just continued smoking. I kind of forgot that people know who I am. This time that I've spent with Joe has been so relaxing and it's very refreshing. I completely forgot that people are probably taking pictures of me.

I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket, so I take it out and look at it. Aubrey again. I ignored the call and put the phone back. I messed up when I went over to his house and had sex with him because now I think he thinks somethings going to come from it and it's not. He has been calling me and I haven't been picking up. I thought he would take the hint by now since it's been a few days, but he's very persistent. I should know this by now.

I see Joe walking out of the store, when he sees me standing outside the car he kind of throws his arms up at me and shakes his head. I laugh to myself.

When he gets to the car, he just looks at me like I've lost my mind.

"Why are you outside of the car smoking weed?" He asks

"Well Dad, it's just that I'm meeting your mom and I'm a little nervous." I answer

"You're standing out here with no security." He says

"I'm smoking, and nobody is bothering me. Would you like for me to do it in your car?" I ask sarcastically

He doesn't say anything, he just shakes his head and starts putting the groceries in the trunk.

"Come here." I say smiling. He looks at me and smiles. "Now is not the time. Let me finish doing this."

"....Okay." I'm starting to really like Joe, but I know I can't get in too deep with him. He's not going to commit to me and I don't need the stress of another relationship.

I watch him put the bags away. His muscles flexed and everything. Mmmm. Now I'm thinking about what we did in the shower this morning. I start to get hot. Then Joe touches my shoulder.

"What's up?"

I shake my head. "Nothing."

"Aight. Put that out. Let's go." He walks to the driver's side and gets in.

I take a couple more hits then I put it out and get in the car.

"I'm sorry it's just I've been so relaxed with you. I forgot about the outside world. I feel safe here."

"It's all good." He says

I take a deep breath and let it out.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm horny." I cross my legs.

He looks at me like I'm crazy. "Again?"

I laugh, "Yes. I knew I shouldn't have had sex with you." I look out of the window frustrated with myself.

"Don't blame it on me. You shouldn't be smoking. You know how it gets you in the mood." He smiles. "Let me drop this off to my mom and I can give you more. I'm more than willing."

I look over at him and smile. "Don't get me addicted."

"Sounds like you are already....you know, I can't have that." He laughs. "I think you've had enough."

"You can't say you're going to give me some then take it back all in the same sentence."

He smiles, reaching over and parts my legs. "If I want it, I'll give it to you." He reaches under my skirt and moves my underwear to the side and starts playing with my clit.

I put my arms around him and he kissed me. We make out for a few minutes. Now I'm more horny than before.

"I like this more bold side of you." I say

He moves down to my neck and starts sucking on it. "Oh, you do?"

"Yes." I say enjoying him pleasuring me.

"You don't get to see it because you're always running behind them cheating ass motherfuckers. You get a different me because this is a different you." He looks at me.

"Well I'm single now and I'm not chasing anybody."

"You chased me here." He says

I laugh. "I didn't chase you."

"You didn't chase me, huh." He says, inserting a few digits into my entrance, making my breath hitch on my throat.

"...maybe a little." I say, as his thumb massages my clit.

He begins to pick up his speed, driving his fingers deeper inside of me. A gasp escapes my lips, followed by a soft moan of pleasure.

I reach for his face, kissing his lips as he continues his assault. If he doesn't stop my juices are gonna be all over his car seat.

"Stop. You're going to make me cum..."

"Isn't that the point?" He laughs

"Yes but not right now. Not in your car."

He removes his hand, sucks my juice off of them then pulls me face to his. "Okay."

He kisses me and I can't help but feel like everything is different between us now. I like it. Is he more comfortable with me? Is he just not holding back anymore? And what's up with the gifts this morning? Joe just feels different all around. Feelings changed? Everything seemed normal when I first got here but after we talked it was calm, but still felt normal. Last night after we talked more, things felt better but when we woke up this morning things seemed completely different. We've never felt like this, even when we were kinda messing around back in Cali. As I stated, this is new and I like it. I like this Joe.

After a few minutes of heavily making out, we finally break away from each other and get ourselves together to head to his mothers house.

Once we get there and a wave of calmness comes over me. I want nervous anymore. I was cool. Probably just the weed. lol

"You good?" He asks.

"Yes."

"Something I didn't tell you, my mom has been wanting to meet you for a while and I didn't tell her you were coming."

"Really?" I say excitedly. "But why?"

"I don't know. Maybe because I work for you and you're a celebrity."

"Well now I'm excited."

"I wanna warn you...my mom is a bit outspoken. No filter. If she brings up any of your situations, I'm sorry. She loves gossip tv." He says

"It's cool. I put it out there whether I liked it or not. People are going to have things to say. It's okay." I say

"I'm happy you see it that way." He smiles. "Come on."

We get out of the car and he grabs the bags. We walk up to the back door, he unlocks it and we walk in into the kitchen.

"MA! IT'S ME!" Joe yells

"You told me you would be here hours ago. What took you so—HIIII!" She comes around the corner and sees me standing next to Joe.

"Hello!" I say smiling.

"Ma, this is Shawnie, Shawnie this is—."

"Call me mom." She walks over and hugs me. "I didn't know you were coming. It's so nice to finally meet you. I ask Joe all the time when he is going to bring you over but he just ignores me."

"No, I don't." Joe says laughing a little.

"Yes you do. You get amnesia every time I bring her up. You forget everything and you don't know anything..."

Joe just shrugs his shoulders and laughs.

She looks at me. "You're so pretty!"

"Thank you." I'm probably turning bright red but she's so cute, I can't help but to smile. She's so short and petite.

She takes my hand and pulls me into the living room. I look back at Joe. He just shrugs and starts putting her groceries away.

Once we get to the living room she sits in a recliner chair and I sit on the sofa.

"So what brings you to Vegas? Joey told me you were in town." She says

"Honestly, Ms. Anoai, I'm here because of Joe. I want him to come back to work." I say

"Oh that's good." She looks at Joe. "I was so happy when he came home but now I'm tired of him. He's over here checking on me everyday like I'm some kind of old woman he has to check on. I'll gladly give him to you."

I laugh. "He's just worried about you."

"I know I'm just teasing. My Joey's a good boy. He's a momma's boy too." She jokes

"Awwww, I love that you call him Joey." I could literally feel my heart melting.

A little weird though, seeing how her perfect little boy was just doing some pretty nasty and bad things to me in the shower this morning and in his car.

I just smiled and tried to push those thoughts to the back of my mind.

"So you're here for Joey and you want him to come back to work?"

"Yes. He's missed."

"You know I think you two would make the cutest couple and give me the cutest grand babies—."

"FOR CHRIST SAKE!!!" Joe yells. "MA, STOP!"

I just laugh.

"Oh shut up." She waves her hand at him. "I know a good woman when I see one and it's time for him to settle down. He's old. That last one he brought home looked like a prostitute."

I burst out laughing.

"Talking about how she was a dancer..."

"A stripper?" I look in the kitchen at Joe. "Uptight, boujie, Joseph Anoa'i, dated a stripper?"

"That was like five years ago. I didn't know any better." Joe says

"I can agree with that. I told him off. She came in here popping that gum and hair down to her ankles. Nails as long as her fingers..."

I look down at my nails. They aren't that long but they're not exactly short.

"Oh, no baby. Your nails are fine. You're well put together and you're a lawyer. You're a good one. My Joey is so smitten with you, I don't think he cares about any of that." She smiles, then winks her eye at me.

"OH MY GOD, MA. STOP!!!"

She laughs. "That's why he didn't want you to meet me."

"Why? " I ask

"Because he knew I was going to tell it all."

"Really?" I smile and look at Joe. "What else do you know?" I whisper to her.

She leans in and talk so only I can hear. "I know when he came home he was upset. I don't know what happened between you two but it bothered him for a while."

"...really?"

That's interesting.

She taps me on the hand and smiles, then she start speaking her regular tone. "I also know he put that ex husband of yours down twice. And he should've. The way he treats you is disgusting."

"Did Joe tell you that?" I ask

"No. Not exactly. I watch all the gossip shows everyday and it was reported from a "close source". "She says using air quotes. "You guys are on there everyday. Seems like there's always something new. It's such a shame." She says

"Well, I'm divorced from him now, and I'm happy."

"Good. And you should've sued him for those ugly braids he has in his head. What would possess him to do that to himself? He is a grown ass man. This is not the early 2000s."

I couldn't stop laughing. His mother is so hilarious.

"They were pretty bad."

Joe comes in and sits in a recliner chair on the other side of the room.

"That's my baby's favorite chair. He used to sit there for hours playing video games. He would sleep in that chair. I had to make him turn the video game off and go sleep in his bed."

I smile at Joe, while listening to his mother talk about him. She worries about him, just like he's worried about her. I think it's cute. They only have each other. And I feel bad because I took him away from her. Kinda how Chris took me away from my dad. Now I'm starting to understand how my dad felt.

"I'm going to step outside and call my dad." I stand and quickly make my way outside.

Once I'm out there I call my dad.

"Hello?" He answers

"Hey Daddy! I was just calling to check on you and the kids."

"The kids are good. I'm good. How's everything going in Vegas? You get your man?"

"My man? Daddy, stop."

"I'm not stupid. I know there's something going on between the two of you. I picked up on it when I came to San Diego."

"Nothing was going on."

"Then. But it was brewing. Him trying to get on my good side and you nervous the whole time. I put two and two together. I don't have a problem with it, I think he's good for you. He definitely has my approval. I like the way he treats you and he protects you. I don't know too much about the romantic side of things, but I know he's a good guy. He has morals and doesn't seem to phased by fame or driven by money. I like him." He says

I just smile. I'm not getting into this conversation.

"The trip is going pretty well." I say and he laughs. He know I'm ignoring his comments. "I would like to stay a little longer though. Joe has already agreed to come back but I'm not quite ready to go just yet." I say. "Is it okay if I stay another day?"

"Of course it's okay. Don't worry about the kids. I'm loving this time with them." He says

"Thank you."

"Is everything okay?" He asks

"Yeah. I'm sorry for leaving you in Chicago by yourself. I shouldn't have done that. Chris really wanted me to move in with him and I really just wanted to make him happy. I fought with myself about leaving but I wanted a different life." I admit

"And he gave you that. I understand. You can't live your life based on worrying about me. I don't fault you for leaving. Chicago is black hole. I'm happy you got out and I'm happy you've built a life for yourself in California. You had a few bumps in the road but you're still standing. Don't worry about me. I've lived my life. I just want the best for you and I want you to get everything figured out before..."

I cut him off. "We don't need to say that, everything is going to be fine." I say. "I'll be home tomorrow."

"Aight. Your uncle Bill is flying in so we can spend some time together." He says

"That'll be nice! I can't wait to see him."

"Get all of that figured out. We're fine." He says

"Okay. I'll talk to you later." We ended the call and I put the phone in my purse and pulled out a little vodka bottle. It's just a shot. I take it and put the empty bottle back.

I'll let them have a little time together. There has been so much going on and I've been trying to keep it to myself but I'm starting to feel I need to tell someone. I should know better by now. Holding things in isn't the best for me. I need to talk some things out.

I take my phone back out and text Chris.

Me: Hey. I guess you're vacationing or Ammika is in LA. I saw the picture of you two. Are you guys working it out or what? I can't keep up with your female friends. If you're working it out, just remember how she treated you, and also the things she did to you. If it is what you really want, I'll support this and be nice to her how I've always been but I don't like this.

I wait a few minutes for him to respond but he doesn't. Oh well.

***********

A couple of hours later, Joe and I were on our way back to his house from his moms. I learned a lot from his mother today and honestly I'm a little confused, because does he really feel that way about me? Does he really be sitting and holding conversations with her about me? I kind of feel like she wouldn't just say those things for no reason. Maybe she's telling the truth... And maybe I'll never know.

We were quiet. He was driving and I was just enjoying every bit of everything. Being out here has been so chill. Literally no one has bothered me. This is the life I want. A quiet one. And being here with Joe is making this so much better. I wouldn't mind entertaining the idea of moving out of California but my ex-husband just bought me that multi-million dollar house so I don't know exactly how moving is gonna work out especially with coparenting with both of them.

I look over at Joe and smile at him. He doesn't notice. I feel there has been a shift in us since I've been here. I don't want to leave because I feel like it's not going to last. I don't know if it's because he's home but this is a different Joe. Not too different but more open. I like it.

"Joe, I had so much fun meeting your mom today." I say

"She's embarrassing." He shakes his head and chuckles a little.

"She's cute. She just wants you to settle down." I say

"Yeah, but she didn't have to say all that."

"It's okay. I won't hold out against you." I joke

He smiles looking through the windshield. I feel like I got to know him a little more. And our relationship...it's definitely changed. I feel closer to him and I got to see a side of him that I probably wouldn't have gotten to see if I didn't show up here.

His hand was resting on the stick shift. I took my hand and laid it on his. He looks over at me, then back at the road, but doesn't move his hand.

"What you thinking about?" He asks

"Nothing."

"Yes you are. Tell me." He says

I hesitate for a minute. I don't know what Joe is going to say if I bring this up.

"I'm listening..." he says, waiting for me to respond.

"It's just... these last couple of days have been different, right?" I ask

He looks down at my hand. "Yeah.... I'm wit it." He says, then removes his hand from mine. I thought he was taking his hand back but he placed it on top of mine.

"You're with it." I repeat. I look at him and he just smiles.

I just leave the conversation where it is as we drive back to his house.

Thoughts?