Not My Type: Rhiannon

I could hear Joe before I could see him. The old, dirt covered red tractor was parked in the open barn doorway where I supposed the light was better. He was making a terrible racket banging away at something. A few muttered curses drifted my way on the wind and I couldn't help but grin.

Joe didn't glance up as he rounded the front of the tractor, instead he continued to abuse the exposed engine with a huge wrench. I gave myself the luxury of watching him work for a while. We'd talked on the phone a few times, but I hadn't seen him since that morning at Lilly's apartment and I'd forgotten just how tall he was, how broad. His hat was pushed up off his forehead and his shirtsleeves were rolled up over greasy, dirt stained arms. I wouldn't have said he was handsome, but there was definitely something about him. Instantly, I could remember how his large hands had felt against my body, how he'd clutched at me, caressed me, growled my name. I could feel myself flush with the memory of his ragged breathing in my ear and the thick, hot length of him as he filled me.

I didn't think I moved or made a sound, but Joe looked up suddenly. Our eyes met. He didn't smile and my stomach lurched as I broke out into a sweat. I could feel my hands shake and I wrapped my arms around myself to hide their unsteadiness.

"Hi," I said, trying out a smile. It wasn't returned. I thought I might be sick on the spot, but just hugged myself tighter and tried not to think about that.

"Rhiannon." The greeting wasn't exactly curt, but it sure as hell wasn't friendly.

"I thought you'd be at least alittlehappy to see me," I said lightly as I approached closer. I gave him my best smile and although his expression didn't change his bright blue eyes flickered. He pulled his hat down low and turned back towards the tractor.

"How have you been?" I asked. He didn't answer.

My temper flared a little and my next few strides towards him were maybe a little more aggressive then I intended them to be. "Jesus, Joe! You could at least say hello to me."

"I thought we agreed we weren't gonna see each other."

His voice was soft and I had to strain to hear him over the sound of the wind. "Yeah, we weren't going toseeeach other," I stressed. "That doesn't mean I can't say hello."

He glanced over his shoulder at me, his face expressionless. There was a smudge of grease on his lower jaw and the urge to reach out and wipe it off was so strong my fingers actually twitched. I curled them into fists and tried to ignore how fucking much I wanted to touch him.

"You drove all the way out here just to say hello?"

"It's not that far," I said, trying the flirtatious smile again; it always worked on men, but apparently Joe was immune because he didn't soften.

"What do you want, Rhi?"

I opened my mouth but no noise came out. I didn't know where to start. Joe's grunt of dismissal didn't help matters any. "I – I think we need to talk," I said finally, when I could.

"Look, if this is about you and Lilly, I've already told her that you two are big girls and you'll have to sort it out yourselves." Joe's tone was indifferent and I wondered if he really cared that my oldest friendship had been greatly tested by that night he and I had spent together. Mind you, I was pretty fucking sure it was only going to be more of a test when she found out about the result of said night together.

"This isn't about me and Lilly," I said taking another step closer to him. "This is about me. And you."

I must have sounded unsure, because Joe's head snapped up and his eyes narrowed.

"There ain't no 'me and you'," Joe said coldly. "You made that perfectly clear two months ago."

"I thought that's what you wanted! We agreed on it together!" I shot back. Joe didn't respond and I waved my hand dismissively.

"I didn't come out here to argue aboutthat. I came out here to tell you that—" I paused and a panicked wave of nausea hit me so strongly I wobbled a little on the spot as I fought it back. It made me dizzy and I leaned on the tractor as I tried to catch my breath.

"Rhi, are you okay?" Joe sounded worried and as I raised my chin to look him in the eyes I thought I could see a little concern reflected back at me.

"I'm pregnant, Joe."

He blanched slightly under his tan but his expression never changed. "Have you been to the doctor yet? Is everything okay?"

I nodded, taking a little comfort in his calmness. I had to admit I'd been worried that he'd throw the wrench he was holding at me. I didn't know him well enough to know whether or not I should be concerned that he appeared to be completely unruffled by the bomb I'd just dropped on him.

"I'm fine. The doctor says I'm as healthy as a horse."

"Well, I guess we do need to talk," Joe suggested. He put the wrench down and took me by the arm and led me into the barn. The heat of his hand against my flesh was incredible and I had to bite back a little moan.Jesus, how could I get worked up so easily when he was around?It was a little cooler in the shade, which I was thankful for. He sat me down on a rickety old bench by the door and settled himself beside me. We both stared ahead and I got the feeling he was making a very conscious effort not to touch me or sit too close.

"When?"

His voice caught in his throat and the question came out huskily.

"When?" I echoed feeling confused. We'd only been together the one night; I didn't think it was likely he'd have forgotten about it.

"When are youdue, Rhiannon?"

"Ohhhh—" I blushed. "Middle of February."

Joe took his hat off and rolled the brim of it back and forth between his large hands.

"Well then, that gives us time."

My head snapped towards him. "Time for what?"

He turned his chin and even in the half-light of the barn I could see how brightly blue his eyes were. There were creases around them that I'd never noticed before. The line of his mouth was grim. "Time to plan a wedding."