Just Friends

Chapter 19

I followed Judd up to his room and he sat our bags on the floor at the foot of his bed. I looked around his simple set up. It wasn't much different than his space near campus.

I fingered a couple of his dusty baseball trophies on a shelf to the side.

"Did you expect posters of naked women all over the walls?"

I turned around to see Judd watching me with a lopsided grin.

"Pretty much. I guess your mom took those down for you once she found out I was coming."

Judd's laugh knocked the breath from my lungs in such a good way. "Yeah, she's always got my back like that. Come on, let's go back downstairs to see where everyone else is at."

Downstairs, Molly was a statue in front of the living room tv with her eyes glued to the screen and mouth agape while some cartoon dogs dressed as community heroes saved people near a bay.

Wendy was in the kitchen preparing side dishes for dinner when we came through. Judd grabbed a snack and two beers from the fridge, passing one to me.

"So Mom, where are James and Rachel?"

Wendy sat the stirring spoon down and wiped her flour covered hands on the towel draped over her shoulder.

"They dropped Molly off this morning so they could go help at the community center for a small event that was going on earlier today. They should be here in just a few."

Judd nodded and then moved towards the back patio french doors off the breakfast nook.

His dad turned around from the grill as soon as he heard us walk out. "Hey bud! I heard Molly's squeals and knew her 'Uncka Judd' must have arrived on the scene."

Judd gave him a big hug and they slapped each other's backs a couple times before pulling apart and both turned to me.

"Dad, this is Eva - Eva, my dad."

His dad smiled wide at me and I saw exactly where Judd got his eye crinkles. He took a step toward me and gently grasped one of my small hands in the two of his. They were rough with decades of hard work and big like Judd's. "It's a pleasure to meet you, darling. I'm Heath and I hope my boy here hasn't given you too hard of a time."

I shook my head and smiled. "It's nice to meet you too, Heath, and thank you. Judd's been wonderful. I'm afraid it's me that's been giving him a hard time though."

Heath threw his head back and his big laugh boomed out to oaks. "Well I can't believe that to be true at all."

I looked to Judd who was smiling wide. "You better believe it, dad. She's a tough one to win over." He gave me a wink.

"Sounds like you're a wise one then, Eva." He released my hand and patted me gently on the shoulder and I laughed.

I was wise enough to keep a distance, but not wise enough to stay a way I supposed.

Heath turned back to the grill and cracked open the lid to allow the smoke out before opening it further to check on the meat. A mouth-watering aroma filled the patio.

"What are you cooking? It smells amazing."

"Just some simple steaks and I had just put the zucchini and squash on right before you two came out."

Mmmm.

"I see where Judd gets his grilling skills then. Looks like I have you to thank for that."

Heath nodded and smiled. "Yes ma'am, I taught my boys that a man who knows how to cook has a happy wife."

"There have never been truer words, Heath."