Beyond Appearances

Old Meets the New

I open the screen door careful to not wake Sarah or the rest of the family. I know I need to start spending more time with her and the kids, but I just can't seem to stay away from Johnny. That's why I'm off to take a cold shower.

Johnny's little seductive thing back there has me frustrated. As cliche as it sounds for a man to take a cold shower to compose themselves, I need to do the same thing. I need a friend, not a boyfriend.

I go to the sink to take off my face mask first. Kind of hard to take clothes off with guac all over your face. I start the shower and brace myself for the icy tundra that is my shower.

When I get out I see that Hunter texted me.

I'll see ya tomorrow

I can't help but smile. I'm not the clingy type, but after Hunter helped me get through, I can't wait to see him. I'm worried at the same time. What is Johnny going to think of him? I quickly wipe the thought out of my mind. What does it matter what Johnny thinks?

I take a deep breath and think happy thoughts. I can't sleep if I'm worried about how the men in my life will react to one another. I should just be excited to see Hunter.

0o0o0o0

I'm woken up by a knock on my door. "RJ, get up. Hunter won't want to see Medusa when he arrives." I moan. She's right. No man should have to witness that.

I manage to get out of bed, and groom myself for the day ahead of me. I'm anxious to see Hunter. What will he think of me? I know I'm over worrying because Hunter is the least judgmental guy I know, but I still want him to see the best of me.

I rush down the stairs for breakfast. I'm starving, and the wafting smell of waffles is doing nothing to help that. I waltz in the kitchen to find a shirtless Johnny helping Sarah to plate up the kids food while Trent is pouring the juice.

"Morning Veronica," Trent is the first to greet me. I return the greeting. Sarah doesn't bother to acknowledge me considering we already talked this morning. More like I moaned at her wake up call, but it still counts. Johnny just looks up at me and smiles. "Morning V. Are you feeling okay? You're looking a little warm." I grimace. I can't help that his body is beautiful. I turn and go to find the kids in the dining room.

He knows the affect he has on me, and he's using it against me. Good thing the children are innocent, they're my only chances at a fluster free day. I walk in and kiss each and every one of them on the head. Landry pulls me into a hug. Valentina gives me Eskimo kisses. Trent wipes my kiss off like a typical little boy.

Eventually the rest of the adults join us with the food and drinks. As much as I love talking about Paw Patrol, I'm thankful for the adults, excluding Johnny at this very moment.

I help Sarah clean up the table, and wash the dishes. When I start drying the dishes, I see the gravel flying up around a familiar green pick up truck. I put down everything I'm doing and rush out the door.

By the time I make it to his pick up, he's already out of the truck allowing me to run at him. He catches me in a huge bear hug. He kisses my forehead, and puts me down.

"You missed me that much Ron?" He says it with a sarcastic tone. I smack him upside the head in a joking matter. "Of course I did!" We link arm and arm and walk up into the house.

"Sarah, you already know. This is Trent, Landry, Trent Jr. and Valentina." I leave out Johnny because he went out the back door to go start working at the ranch. I point at each one of them as I say their names. Hunter shakes hands with Trent, and he high-fives all the kids.

I lead him towards my bedroom, giving him a tour as we go along. I throw open my white door and grab his hand, dragging him towards my bed. "Sit on it. It's the most comfortable thing I ever slept on." He just laughs and follows suit. "It feels like a bed Ron."

I elbow him in the side. "How dare you say such a thing!" He laughs and shrugs. "Wait until you sleep on 'er." He nods and continues to laugh. I just stare at him, not believing he's in front of me.

His handsome face hasn't changed. I can't help but compare his smoldering eyes to Johnny's. What is wrong with me? I shake the thought from my head and hop up from the bed, and head for the kitchen. Hunter follows me down the long hallway.

I go to the fridge and grab us both a glass of lemonade. He takes a sip and puckers. "Louisiana lemonade too potent for ya?" I ask teasingly, knowing he hates things that are sour. "Nope, it's perfect." He chokes down another gulp. We make our way towards the porch.

We sit on the rocking chairs catching up on the time we've been apart. He met a girl, she's everything I could ever wish for him. That explains some things over the phone. He says their taking things slow, not official yet. Seeing other people, but still focusing on each other until they're sure. So she doesn't mind the visit to another woman. I can't help but smile. He deserves someone who is more than just friends who occasionally hook up.

I tell him all about Johnny. I probably gush a little too much judging by the face he makes. "Is Valentina his?" I nod. "I love that little girl. She's got me wrapped around her little finger already." He raises his eyebrows. "Things that serious already?" My face falls. "No, we are just good friends."

That gets a rise out of him. "Ron, are we talking good friends, or we talking about how we were good friends?" I laugh, but he's not far off of what I'm wishing for. "We are just friends. No strings." He nods, "Good." He says it so firm I'm taken back by it.

We talked for hours. The sun was starting to set by the time we went in to help with dinner. Sarah was making shrimp creole. I helped set the table, and pour all the drinks. Johnny pops in just as we finish up.

He smiles at me before turning his gaze to Hunter. I hurry to introduce them before Johnny can crack a crude joke. "Johnny this is my friend Hunter. Hunter this is Johnny." Johnny pulls Hunter in for one those bro hugs. "What's up man?" Why do all men do this?

After the greetings, we all sit down for our meal. We all say grace, and dig in. I sit between Valentina and Hunter, with Johnny across from me. He keeps looking up at me, giving me a questioning look. I can only imagine what he's thinking.

After we all finish eating I stand up to grab everyone's plates. "I got dishes tonight." Hunter goes to stand, but Johnny beats him to it. "I'll help." Hunter feels the tension and raises his hands in surrender. I roll my eyes. Too much testosterone!

Johnny brings in the remaining plates and dumps them in the soapy water. I start scrubbing, and he starts drying. We get in a rhythm. He breaks the silence. "You failed to mention your boy toy." I eye him, and laugh. "My boy toy? Wow." He stops drying the dishes and stares at me. I face him, pulling my soapy hands out of the sink. "I'm sorry, what else is he then?" He asks with a distaste in his mouth.

I step closer to him. I stare into his eyes and drag my wet hands down his T-shirt. "He's my one and only friend from back home. Not my boy toy." He smirks cockily. To one up him, I stand on my toes and whisper in his ear, "Jealous much." I rake my hand down his chest, where I already wiped the soap. He suddenly stands very still, and stern.

I laugh with an evil grin. I love knowing that I have that effect on him.