Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

52

Within in seconds of me sticking my body back out the window we had reached the section in the road where the single lane stretched into two, and just like I said, Rafe was beside us in a heartbeat. His window rolled down as he saddled up beside me.

"You've got a problem with being reckless, Darling." Rafe shouted as he kept shifting between the road and looking at me. "That is what'll get you hurt." I snorted as I fought the wind, my body leaning a little more out of the window as I smiled coyly.

"You promise?" I roared with laughter as I saw Topper's eyes widen in the passenger seat as Rafe's fists clenched around the steering wheel. A dark gleam in his eyes as he grimaced.

"How's about you tell John B to pull off to the side of the road and I'll make good on that promise." I pursed my lips, making a show of thinking about it.

"Hey, B?" I ducked inwards ignoring the slight cheers coming from the Jeep beside us.

"Yup?" He spared me a glance and noticed my devious smirk, his eyes widening as the rest of the gang started to sweat. The bridge quickly approaching in the distance.

"That's the smirk. That's the one." Pope voiced to Kie.

"Let's smoke these Kooks." I shifted back to look at Rafe.

"Hey! So I talked to my guy--" I trailed off leaning closer while bracing myself, "and we both agreed that your offer was very, very enticing. However we've got other plans so-- fuck you!" I gave them the double bird as John B quickly whipped around and into a small pull-off. My body launching out the window slightly as I held tight to the side of the car. My laughter following me back in the car as I barely dodged a branch from a nearby tree.

"Now will you please marry me?" I laughed at JJ's attempt at a proposal.

"I thought we were already wed? You call me wifey."

"AHH! You all heard that! She said we were married. It's official!" We all rolled our eyes at JJ's over-energetic display as we sped down the narrow dirt road. Rafe and the Kooks long gone as we continued to drive on the back roads of Kildare until we reached the Château.

"As fun as this evening as been-- I'll need to be getting back to the house. My mother is making Cajun Pasta and I've got to pick my uniform from the floor."

"Boo. No fun." JJ taunted as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"I know, I know. Just a week and then we've got all summer." There was a collective groan as they realized they weren't going to convince me to stay.

I took a little longer on the drive to the house, I had only just gotten my bike back and I'm pretty sure I was going through withdrawals. The fresh coat of paint was beautiful. Instead of just having a pure jet black coat, I had the body shop add a shimmering purple and blue beneath the color to create a galaxy effect across the front and lower fairing. It wasn't a large difference but it was enough to see it in the sunlight.

Content I pulled into the driveway before walking my bike the rest of the way into the garage. I had a small tune I was humming while I walked into the house, my mood evident as I entered the kitchen.

"Oh-- why is the dining table set all fancy?" I asked as I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge.

"Gray is having someone from work over for dinner. He's bringing his family along as well. I figured instead of eating on the wood we would put a table cloth over it. Keeps you from having to scrub the table later." I rolled my eyes at her taunt.

"Sounds good. When should we be expecting them?"

"The Camerons should be getting her within an hour."

The kitchen was silent other than the drop of a pen and the sound of me spitting out the water that had been in my mouth.

"I'm sorry, the whos?" I squeaked as I turned to Gray, a towel already in my hand as I cleaned up the counter.

"The Camerons. Don't you know I work with Ward, Xena?" I blinked at nothing as I processed all the information.

"Maybe I should have stayed at B's." I murmured low to keep them from hearing me as I choked back the bitter reply that threatened to leave my lips. "I do know. Now. Wait, did you say he was bringing his family?" I turned back to my mother who sealed her lips. The answer in her actions. "I'll be in my room. Would you mind saving me some left overs?" I was already out of the kitchen and to the stairs when she started yelling up to me.

"I left a dress on your bed! And I picked your uniform off the floor!"

Shit.

"Was there I reason we weren't supposed to tell her?"

"You remember that boy I was talking to you about?"

"Oh. OH. I'll just have to keep a close eye on him them won't I." I rolled my eyes as I disappeared up the stairs. Trust me Gray, you won't be the only one.

________•*•*•*•________

Damn. My nose twitched as I ran my hands down the fabric of my dress. The dress that was really, really in my style. It was faded purple in color. One shoulder with a puffed sleeve I believe it's called a lantern sleeve and the body was ruched and form fitting. The dress ended just at the middle of my thighs. Short enough to give my legs flexibility yet long enough all my goods were covered.

Of course my mom would find a dress I couldn't say no to. In my last attempt to show my distain- I pulled on my dancing boots. The worn leather unfortunately completing the look as the soft well-taken-care-of brown leather made the purple of the dress pop. Which is the cause of my nose twitching.

Accepting defeat, I pulled a few silver rings onto my fingers. The metal comforting as I imagined they were brass knuckles and should Rafe pull anything I'd give him a clean pop to his cheek. We weren't in school- and I was still considered a minor. So I wouldn't go to prison just yet.

I tossed my red braid behind my shoulder and walked out of the room. Phone in hand as I braved the downstairs.

"Oh, Xena, you look am-" I put a hand up, stopping my mother.

"No. You and I both know if you finish that sentence- I will go back up to my room and not come out." She sighed and mumbled the words anyway as she continued to cook over the food. "Don't you need to get dressed?"

I watched her eyes widen as she looked down at the sweatpants and tank top she was currently wearing. Her fuzzy slippers a good match to her comfy wear.

"Oh- Gray! Come finish up dinner for me!" She called as she pulled off her apron and ran to their master bedroom.

"What? Why me?" The confused male set down the book he had on the counter as he looked at my disappearing mother. Her face poking back out the slightly closed door.

"Because, if I asked Xena to, she'd make the food inedible. Though this time would be on purpose." I sighed. She knew me too well.

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" I turned to Gray, not even bothering to pretend.

"Gray, I burnt a mac-n-cheese cup accidentally. What do you think I could do if I did something purposely?" I grinned as he shivered. His hands shooing me away in hopes to protect the precious food.

(A/N: the macncheese Cup thing actually happened to me several years ago... I got distracted and forgot to add the water. Then boom. Burnt crunchy noodles and burnt plastic cup)