Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

58

My eyes widened as I took in his reaction to me running my hands through his hair. His bottom lip was slightly sagged, his eyes dilated and his cheeks were dashed with a shade of pink. My mouth fell into a soft "o" as I carefully retracted my hand from his.

"Sorry." I cleared my throat as I hopped off the countertop and grabbed the glasses. The urge to flee prominent as I grew slightly embarrassed.

"Don't apologize. It felt nice, we just have dinner that I need to check on." The alarm on his phone rang just as he spoke. The cue making him chuckle as he turned to the oven. I didn't bother hanging around as I fled the kitchen to go hide in the dining room. I set the cups up before laying my forehead in a corner of the room. I was out of sight as I let my face cool down.

"Oh, what a surprise!" My shoulders sagged as Gray's voice filled the house.

"How are you doing, sir." Rafe answered as I heard small beeps come from the stove.

"I'm well. Please, call me Gray. Whatever you're making smells delicious."

"It sure does. Thank you, honey." My Ma cooed from somewhere. I could see in my head her giving Gray a kiss on the cheek as she came to stand beside him and watch Rafe. "Where's Xena?"

There's my cue. I pursed my lips as I pushed off the wall. My hands running over my face as Rafe ratted me out.

"Oh, she should be setting the table." I planted a smile and came out from behind the wall separating us, my mom's eyebrow was raised as she offered me a knowing smirk.

"Hi Ma, hi Gray. Work went well?" I asked as I leaned my hands on the island staring at them from afar.

"Very smoothly. How was your shift?"

"Interesting." I didn't have any other word to describe the day. But it seemed to work for Gray.

"Well, let me go wash up then I can help with whatever."

"Don't worry about it, Gray. Xena and I have already taken care of everything. I just need about two more minutes and we can eat." I found myself smiling at Rafe's back as he stepped in and politely told Gray to relax.

The older male didn't seem to have a problem as he rose his hands and walked away into the master bedroom. My mom disappearing behind him with a quick wink towards me.

"Can you take this and a hotpad to the table?" I jumped as Rafe pulled me out of my thoughts. Nodding as he eyed me curiously. "You alright?"

"Yup- just peachy." I internally groaned at how chipper I sounded. His cocked eyebrow and crossed arms showed me he didn't believe me. I wouldn't believe myself either. "Don't worry about it. Just thinking."

"That's dangerous." I scoffed glad he was able to joke, the idea making me crack a smile.

"Damn straight it is, but for who?" I turned away, the hot tray of green beans in my oven mit as I grabbed a hot pad to set it on the table. I did the same with the pasta before clearing a space on the table for the chicken Rafe brought in.

"Ma, Gray, dinner!" I called as I set my hands over Rafe's ears when I yelled. My weight on the balls of my feet as I balanced trying not to fall on Rafe's back.

"Coming! That looks delicious." My mother approached from the kitchen, Gray behind her as they both wore comfy clothes.

Rafe turned to face me knocking my hands from his ears. His eyes rolling as he spoke.

"Even though you covered my ears, if you still yell into them it's gonna hurt."

"Oops." I shrugged, "well, you didn't go deaf." He scoffed as I sent him finger guns. "Sorry." I apologized quickly as the two grown adults stepped into the dining room.

"This looks wonderful, Rafe. Thank you." Gray complimented as I nudged Rafe with my elbow before motioning for us to take the bench seats.

"Ma, Gray, you two sit at the chairs tonight. Rafe and I will grab anything we may need." My mother blinked rapidly as Gray gently took her elbow and guided her around the table.

"Oh, alright then." I smiled as I quickly ran back into the kitchen and grabbed the pitchers of tea and water.

"Well, help yourselves." Rafe spoke once I sat down, our shoulders brushing lightly as he gestured at the table.

We watched as my mom and Gray grabbed food. Neither of us moving. Rafe probably was in his own head about whether or not he did good on the food, while I was just enjoying getting to watch the two eat something homemade that they didn't make. Something I couldn't give them alone.

It was one of the negatives for me, not being able to cook. But there would be a time and a place for me to finally learn. Heck, most of my diet consists of protein shakes, smoothies, fruits, and vegetables already. None of which require much knowledge.

"Here." I glanced down to see Rafe passing me the dish of chicken, two left as I saw he hadn't grabbed his piece yet.

"Which one do you want? This one is slightly bigger if you want it." I gestured with the fork towards the cooked meat closer to him, my mother gasping as Gray started to cough.

"Only if you don't want it." I scoffed rolling my eyes as I gave the giant the larger piece. My eyes cutting over to the two across from us who were watching the interaction. My mother sheepishly covered her mouth and pat Gray on the back while he had a napkin covering his mouth.

Their eyes wide as they looked between me and the plate of meat. I rose an eyebrow at the two before sliding the other piece onto my plate.

"Are you two alright?" Rafe asked as I gave myself a helping of green beans before trading for the pasta. Rafe also filling up his plate.

"Yes, we were just a little caught off guard." I glanced over to see Rafe mildly in a panic.

"Why? What happened." I shakily set my right palm on Rafe's covered knee as it started to vibrate. His worry showing through his jitters.

"Well, you uh-" my mom trailed off, glancing towards Gray who had finally settled down.

"You gave Rafe the bigger piece." Gray pointed out. My face scrunching as I tried to figure out why that elicited such a reaction from them. "Since I've known you, you've always taken the biggest piece."

"Awe," Rafe mockingly cooed as he turned to look at me, his left hand trapping my right on his leg, "I feel so special."

"Yeah, well don't. I only gave it to you cause you made it." I grumbled looking away and pouting as I was unsuccessful in getting my hand out of his grip.

"Honored, as always." Rafe joked letting go off my hand as he turned to finish filling his plate.

Once everyone had their food on their plate we tucked in. The food delicious as I held back any noise of approval and simply nodded my head in Rafe direction. Occasionally soft hums would slip out but nothing loud enough it drew attention.

Definitely in top fifteen meals.