The Model Couple

🌻 Chapter 50

🌻

"Get the hell off her Asshole, before I rearrange your face."

Hayden doesn't move but gives me a big smile, "See? I told you he likes you, didn't I?" 

It dawns on me that Haydie has made it look like we were going to kiss in order to get Ry to come over. He really is the perfect best friend and I can't help but smile back at him. Hayden gives me a quick kiss on my cheek and then sits up and looks at Ry who is glowering down at us with his hands on his hips. He looks like an adonis in just his swim trunks. 

Haydie stands and pats Ry on the shoulder, "Sorry Boss, she was sitting here all alone. I didn't realize she was taken. No hard feelings."

Ry's frown doesn't soften. "Don't push it, Dipshit. I've been itchin' to beat someone since LA. The lack of punching bags in the gym here isn't helping."

Hayden chuckles as he flops onto the lawn chair next to me. Ry lifts me up to sitting, throws his leg over the back of the chair and then sits down behind me. He lifts his legs onto the chair and pulls me back on him so I'm resting on his chest. He enfolds me in a hug and kisses the top of my head. Then he looks at Hayden, "Any doubt now, Son?"

Hayden smiles big at me and raises his eyebrows, "Got it, Hometown is taken." But he can't leave well enough alone. "Although..." I feel Ry stiffen behind me as he waits for Haydie to finish. I'm sure he has the stern face on. "...she did ask me the other day to help her out in a certain way..."

Ry sits up quickly, "That's it!"

Hayden raises his hands innocently and quickly calls, "Kidding! I'm just kidding! Dude, chill! I'm just teasing you." He chuckles as he sits more fully back onto his chaise.

Ry sighs and lays back. Once he is settled in he gives me a squeeze and says in my ear, "Did you have a nice nap?" I nod. He brushes my hair to the side and kisses my shoulder here in front of everyone. I find myself relaxing into him. I see Alexis and Chrissy looking across the pool at us. I try not to smile too big at them.

"Trey and I went horseback riding! Can you believe it!?" Ellie arrives in her bikini and drops her towel onto the empty lounge chair on my other side. "Horses are huge,  and they smell. It was scary as hell!"

"Do you ever get tired of being such a wuss? Horses aren't scary! I bet Hometown can ride a horse." I can but I don't mention it so I don't make Ellie feel bad.

With Hayden and Ellie's banter and Ry holding me, this feels nice. I snuggle farther back into Ry's chest. His hands rub up and down my arms possessively. I think Draven is glaring at me. I can't help but smile bigger. See? I'm not a twit.

---

"Welcome to our sixth Photo Showcase and Elimination Ceremony! After today, we'll have less than half of our original models remaining. We get ever closer to the winner of Model Dreams! Let's introduce our judges." Chris is dressed in slightly more casual clothing this morning. I wonder if they've gotten feedback that it looks weird for him to wear a full suit on the beach. Or maybe he draws the line at eight in the morning.

I'm relieved that the judges are not Stacy's personal friends this time. We are back to legitimate fashion and photo experts. "And our third judge today is couples therapist and author, Randy Wade." A nice looking middle aged man waves at all of us. "Randy is publishing a book for men called Relationship Goals. Randy, tell us about your book and what kind of photos you are looking for today."

Randy nods and looks at all of us, "Everyone has a unique perspective and experience in their relationships, but many relationship books don't acknowledge that. In fact, most are written with women in mind. As a therapist, it has been difficult to find good books about healthy relationships to recommend to my male patients. So I decided to write one. I plan to have photos at the beginning of each chapter that highlight a particular aspect of healthy relationships. Hopefully some of your photos will fit with my vision."