Quiet vs. Loud

Puppies and Pool Time (part 1)

Rayne's POV

I woke up the day after the cookout to all of my brothers jumping on my bed and acting like children.  When I finally woke up, I grabbed my pillows and threw one at each of them, hitting all of them but Jackson.  For some reason, even though he can't hear, I can never seem to hit him with a pillow, even if I throw it from behind him.

After the freaks I call my brothers left my room, I got dressed for the day.  I put on a pair of white jean shorts and a blue tank top.  Since I planned to work with Jackson and Riley that morning, I didn't put on any jewelry.  It got in the way when I was training Riley.  Then I went downstairs to eat breakfast.  

When I entered the kitchen, Mom and Evan were at the kitchen island drinking coffee, and the boys were at the breakfast nook eating cereal.  I grabbed a glass for some juice and a bowl for my cereal and went to the table with the boys.  I fixed my cereal, and started eating.

"So Rayne, how did the rest of the party go last night?" Mom asked.  "OK" I answered her when I swallowed my cereal.  "We all played truth or dare then everyone went home."

"Any interesting dares?" Evan asked with a grin.  I knew then that one of my brothers had blabbed about the kiss.  

"There were a few" I told him.  "We made Ross stand on his head, Ratliff had to sit there in his boxers, and I got two kisses."

"Two?"  My mom asked.  "How did that happen?"

"Ryland was dared to kiss me, which he did just to irritate Riker.  Then, Riker had to kiss me."

"So, which kiss did you enjoy?"  Mom asked with a smile.

"When Ryland kissed me, it felt like kissing one of my brothers.  But when Riker and I kissed, my heart starting racing and I had a stomach full of butterflies.  So I guess you can tell which one I liked." I told her with a slight smile.  I quickly finished my cereal and put the dishes in the sink, then I went to sit by her at the island.  She knew that I had a hard time feeling love for someone due to things in my past, but she also knew what I needed to hear.

"Well, I knew you felt something for Riker every time you said his name, and you confirmed it to me when I saw how you looked at him at the cookout.  And I know I haven't known him for long, but from what I could see of his family, he is a good guy and will be good for you.  Do you know if he feels the same way?"  Mom said as she out her arm around me.

"Yeah, we talked last night when they were leaving, and he told me that he felt the same way I do." I told her as I put my head on her shoulder. "In fact, he wants to plan a date for the two of us later this week or next weekend."

"Well," Mom said as she hugged me "I'm sure that he will plan something special.  Just make sure that you don't let events from your past invade your time with him.  And if you think he is "The One", don't keep your past from him.  It helped make you the beautiful woman that you are, so there's nothing to be afraid of."

I hugged my mom, then got up to go work with Jackson.  He already had Riley in the backyard, working on some of the signs Riley already knew.  I went out and after Riley greeted me, I signed to Jackson that we needed to start teaching Riley a new sign, the sign for 'Bed'.  Once Riley learned that sing, we wouldn't have to keep him in a crate at night, he could sleep in a dog bed.  We could also use it if he was in a room with a lot of people and it got to be too much for him.

Jackson and I worked with Riley until lunch time, and by then, Riley knew to go to the bed, but he would not stay there.  I told Jackson that we would take a break for the day and then start again the next day.

As we were heading inside, I heard someone calling me.  I turned and saw Stormie in Riker's bedroom window.  "Hi Stormie" I yelled.  "I thought you were with the kids."

"No, I decided to stay home and get some chores done around here."  she replied.  "With this many kids, it's hard to stay caught up.  That's why I'm in Riker's room.  Today is my day to wash all the bed sheets, and I saw you when I came in to get Riker's."

"I know what you mean about getting caught up." I told her. "We try to, but it seems like as soon as we think we are caught up, the boys or the dogs create another mess.  But if you would like to take a break, Mom and I would love to have you come over for lunch.  Evan is taking Jayce and Whit to the batting cage, and Jackson will probably be in his art room for the rest of the day."

"That sounds great" Stormie replied.  "Let me put this last load of laundry in, and I will be over there.  I'll bring over some cookies I made this morning to eat after lunch."

I went inside and told Mom that Stormie was coming for lunch.  Then I set the table while Mom made up some chicken salad and pulled out some of the leftover salads from the cookout.

After a few minutes, I heard the doorbell and ran to answer it.  When I opened the door, Stormie greeted me with a smile and a hug. "Hi Honey, I heard the games went well after we left." she said with a grin.

I just rolled my eyes.  "So who told you?" I asked.  "Rydel told me you and Riker kissed, then when I asked Riker about it, he told me how he felt when he kissed you.  He also told me that you two are planning a date for some time this week or next weekend."

"Yes, we are planning a date for sometime soon.  But I know he has a busy schedule so I don't want to take up all of his time.  I know he values his personal time too." I told her as we walked to the kitchen.

"Trust me," she replied. "Any time he spends with you will be his personal time.  When he is with you, you will be the only thing on his mind."

After lunch, I left Mom and Stormie talking in the living room and I went up to my room.  I wanted to work on my art project for the basement.  I was taking pictures of cities I wanted to visit, and making a collage of the photos.  I had been working on it for about 6 months, but every time I thought I was done, I would find another city I wanted to add to it.

I worked on my collage until I heard yelling outside. I looked out the window and saw the Lynch's and Ratliff in the Lynch's backyard playing basketball.  Riker, Ross, and Rocky were playing shirtless, and I couldn't take my eyes off Riker.  He looked amazing.  There was something about seeing him covered in sweat that I loved.  Actually, I think I loved seeing him any way I could.

Finally, Rydel looked up and saw me in the window.  "Rayne" she screamed "Want to come join us?  We're getting ready to hit the pool"  "Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes." I told her and turned away from the window.  I changed into my bikini and cover up, then ran downstairs.  I told my mom that I was going over to the Lynch's and ran out the door.  Rydel met me in the yard and led me into her house.  "Come with me" she said as she pulled me up the stairs to her room.  "I need to change and I have something to tell you before you see Riker."

A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short and so crappy.  I have had writer's block and this is all I could come up with.  I will work on the second part of this chapter this weekend, and get it posted as soon as I can. Thanks for all the comments.  Keep them coming!!!!!