Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

54

"Okay, so y'all know they're probably, no-- definitely going to lose their shit once y'all drive away, right?"

"Yup, but that's why we want you there." My eyebrows rose at Pope's admission.

"Okay, yeah so that's not gonna work." I tapped the table as John B came over the speaker.

"Oh come on, why not? It's your idea, plus you could mediate." I shook my head even if they couldn't see me, laying my head in my hands.

"Technically it was my comment, y'all's idea. I'm here to help with the logistics so y'all don't screw it up. We already got the setup and the necessities taken care of."

"Yes, the weed." JJ laughed victoriously in the background making me snort.

"Yes, JJ. That is a very important piece of this." I rolled my eyes as I continued. "Look. I can't come." I looked up at the door as two silhouettes came to the blurred window lining the door.

"Well, why not?"

"B, it- it wouldn't be appropriate if they're trying to reconcile their differences. I'd be like a crutch." And I'm currently doing a weird sleepover thingy with the Kook Prince. Which is something I neglected to say for good reason.

"I mean. You do have a point. But you think you could help us with the drop?" I laid my head in my hands wanting to hang up. We'd been on the subject for thirty minutes now.

"Look, me being there for any point of this wouldn't work. I don't know anything about boats so it doesn't make sense for me to be involved." I tossed my hand in the air as the door opened, Murphy and Rafe walking in. "Look guys." I pulled the phone of speaker and brought it to my ear. "Plans made, y'all just have to play it right and Boom! Bob's your uncle." I heard groaning come from the phone making me scoff. Looking up I saw Murphy and Rafe both rolling their eyes.

"T, for our sake. Never say that again."

"Pope has said weirder shit. Look. It's either gonna go great, or you're gonna have a use for those life jackets."

"Way to be positive."

"I'm just being honest, but gu-" Murphy plucked the phone from my hand while Rafe grabbed my chair and pulled me away.

"Hey, what are y'all-"

"Saving you from your friends." Rafe whispered jokingly as Murphy made it clear I was done with the call and needed back for work. "Eric said bye as well." I frowned.

"And done. You know, Xena, sometimes those kids are a little much." I snorted leaning backwards in the chair.

"I think we all are." I vocalized as I shut my eyes. "Ugh. I'm sorry I missed those thirty minutes. But how much longer until my shift is over?"

"Murphy said we could go right now. Your replacement is coming in early." Rafe spoke up gently pushing away from my chair.

"Really?" I open my eyes and looked at Murphy who nodded.

"Keith still owes you for covering his shifts that week in March. Him coming in early today was a good coincidence. And Rafe pulled your weight while you were back here."

"Really?" I tilted my head backwards to see him shrug.

"It wasn't too much, just cleaning. Now you heard the man. Let's go." I cocked my head as Rafe rounded the chair holding out his hands for me to grab.

"Well, where are we going?" I watched Murphy smile before leaving the staff room as Rafe pulled me from the chair.

"We are going to go grab something from the grocery store, go back to your house, watch a movie, then make dinner for your mom and Gray." I smiled before remembering a crucial detail.

"Rafe, I can't cook." He smirked holding out his arm for me to grab.

"Don't worry, I'll find something for you to do in the kitchen." I looked down at his arm hesitating. "Come on, Darling. Humor me."

"Rafe?" He sighed, dropping his arm and standing in front of me. His smug composure falling as he relaxed.

"Xena, for the rest of today, let's act like total goons. No turf war, just you and me, Xena. You know how you helped Eric pull himself out of his head?" He nodded, "let's go do something similar. And if anyone asks we can always say we were doing it for our parents. Let the consequences come tomorrow."

"Okay. When tomorrow does come, don't be surprised if those consequences come in a beat up Volkswagen because some rumor spread through the island." The cocky Rafe was back as he stuck out his arm.

"We will handle them if they come. But for the rest of today, no sides, no worries." I grinned. I hope he meant it.

"No worries." I repeated lacing my arm around his, my hand around his bicep as we left the staff room. We took a quick detour to behind the front counter to grab our backpacks and riding gear before venturing to the grocery store.

I was shocked at how well we could get along. Some bantering and bickering back and forth, a few taunts and teases, but mostly smiles and a couple of laughs.

We went to the small grocery store about five minutes from my house. It was one that was mostly populated by older people or young parents. So we didn't have to worry about rumors spreading by kids our age, which was something I had never been too concerned about until now- even after agreeing to not worry about it.

Thankfully everything we got fit inside my saddle bags or in our backpacks. When we rode up to my house I noticed a large black duffle bag sitting by the front door.

"Um, that's not suspicious at all." I voiced as we walked up the small steps. The black duffle just sitting there as I fiddled with my keys.

"I had Wheezie bring it for me. Her friend Nora lives down the street and she was spending the night. Wheezie won't say anything. She's cool like that." I smiled at the compliment Rafe gave his youngest sister.

"You know, she really looks up to you. She looks up to both you and Sarah." I voiced as I shoved the key in the lock and twisted.

"Xena, do me a favor." I turned my head, hearing the shift and undertone of hostility in his voice. "Once we get in the house, let's not talk about my family."

"Alright. But you know, one day all that is gonna have to come to terms." I spoke the words my mother's therapist said to me the first time I was invited to a session.

"What does that mean?" I turned to him as I pushed the door open, my foot slowly stepping backwards past the threshold of the house.

"Whatever do you mean? I feel as if I've just crossed a boundary and have forgotten what we were talking about." I said dramatically as I set my helmet and riding gear on the couch, backing further into my house.

Rafe chuckled rolling his eyes as he too stepped inside the house.

"Whoa, it appears I too forgot what we were saying." I shook my head at how robotic he sounded.

"We can put our gear in the garage once I unload the groceries."

"Sounds like a plan. Tell me where things go and I'll do my best."

"You can start to do your best by going upstairs and taking your duffel bag. Get anything situated. I can handle these." I gestured to the grocery bags.

"Alrighty, and then we're watching a movie."

"Your pick on the movie." I called after him as he took off around the corner.

I heard him yell triumphantly as he climbed the stairs. Making me smile as I began to quickly put away the groceries.

Ma & Gray

Rafe is staying another night. We are currently at the house about to watch a movie. He was going to make dinner as a thank you. Please do not say anything in regards to his family just out of curtesy of him as a guest.
Xena

Also, nothing is going on with the two of us. Sorry to burst whatever bubble Ward has you adults conspiring.
Xena