More than meets the eye

 

Ruby didn't see Junie, but she'd meant to get to Rafe sooner to tell him how much fun it was. He might not have the voice, but he could certainly play the part. She was full of giggles, but she had to answer the phone. Suddenly, she was the receptionist again.

It was tiring, but it was mostly her job. The scheduling was not a breeze either, but she took it in stride. She wanted to say she was getting used to it, but there was no certainty. And it was a sweet surprise when Rafe said he would help her practice with the recording at the studio. 

Funny, it felt as if it was sinking in that they were really together. Yes, she knew he'd had to put up with a lot and he was a much better listener than she would ever be. Somehow, he made it easy to be around her dad and his new family. She knew if it hadn't been for Rafe she'd still be so angry, but somehow that had slipped away. 

She sighed with ease. It really felt like home with Rafe and maybe they were more than just a pair of misfits. Of course, it hadn't been a romantic one.

"I thought you'd left," she said when she found him.

"Oh, I just chatted with Junie," he confessed.

"Junie?" Ruby almost fretted.

"She's my biggest fan, you know." He shrugged with a smirk.

"Why was she here, how did she even find you?" She looked at him with lit eyes, worried about the security here.

"She has her ways," he told her she probably saw his truck out front.

"But shouldn't she be at school?" Ruby questioned with concern.

"Probably," Rafe was straight lipped. 

"I wonder why she came by," Ruby hugged herself as if Junie spoiled her whole day.

"Don't worry too much about it," Rafe told her it was probably a last chance kind of thing. "She knows I'm never ever getting back with Maddie."

"Maddie?" Ruby squinted. Why would someone like Junie bring up Maddie? She sighed, instantly in a huff. 

"Hey, remember we've got stew in the crockpot," Rafe quickly changed the subject as if he knew she needed something to look forward to.

Ruby nodded. It was best to not dwell on Junie, nor Maddie. She gave him a hug then. Truly, she wanted him to know that she was glad he was here for her.