"He's not blond like him. He looks like his mom, but he's responsible and serious like Lloyd. And a little anxious too." As Wyatt considered how much DJ was like his dad, he started to see Lloyd a little more clearly. "I never saw it growing up, but I think Lloyd was scared a lot while I let a lot of stuff roll off my back. I had him to lean on, and he did all the worrying for both of us. Our dad was always working. He didn't give us a lot of emotional support, and our mom left us when I was six. Being the big brother, Lloyd carried a heavy burden. But now I'm going to make sure DJ knows he has me and he doesn't have to worry."
"Oh my God, you've turned into the best uncle. I'm amazed," she said and gave him a one armed hug as they went inside.
After the cleaning up was done, all of them went out on the back porch to hang out. Wyatt and Raquel sat down with drinks, and the kids went running off with the dogs. The shadows were getting longer and Wyatt was expecting Sam to join them soon.
Noticing Wyatt texting Sam once again, Raquel shook her head at him. "I never imagined you as the needy, clingy, obsessive boyfriend."
He couldn't honestly say that he wasn't obsessed with Sam, but he still denied her accusation. "I'm not. Sam thought he saw his abusive ex in town. He thinks he imagined it, but I want to keep in touch to make sure he's OK," Wyatt explained.
Raquel patted him on the arm, "Oh, then you're a good boyfriend. Carry on."
"I don't know if I am. I keep upsetting Sam," Wyatt said after reading the quick reply from Sam letting him know he was fine.
"That's just what happens. There's no such thing as a perfect relationship," she said with a shrug.
"I guess. I just hate that I'm the one who's always screwing up. I know Sam can't trust too quickly and risk getting burned again. I can't afford to screw up so much," Wyatt told her.
Raquel didn't think he should be worried. "Just be you. You're a good guy. Now I'm going to unpack all my stuff that's getting wrinkled in my bag. I have two of the cutest dresses for the festival. I have to hang them up properly."
"I'll get those guys inside and maybe get dinner going," Wyatt said and started to get up too.
"Should I order a pizza, just in case?" she asked him as she headed inside.
"No. Have some faith."
As she went in, Wyatt called the boys to come in and then he reviewed the recipe on his phone. He raised his eyes from the screen to find the boys and the dogs on the porch making it filthy.
Seeing all the dirt they brought with them, Wyatt asked, "What's all this? I guess we need to do more cleaning up now."
"Barney got in some mud," Riley said.
Wyatt looked at Barney who had dirty paws then at Riley who also had muddy feet. "And who else got in the mud."
"Brownie and DJ did," Riley said, but DJ was carrying her though so she wasn't too dirty.
"Anyone else, Ry? Aren't you leaving someone out?" Wyatt said then he gave him a hint. "Someone little named Riley Jordan Hayes?"
"Me?" Riley said while pointing his little index finger at himself.
"Yes, you. Now everyone's feet and this porch need to be washed," Wyatt told them.
"I'll get the hose," DJ said eagerly and put Brownie down.
Then he and Riley started bickering over who was getting the hose. They ended up dragging it over together and Wyatt warned them, "Don't even think of turning it on." He didn't want to end up getting drenched.
Almost done washing down the porch and all the muddy feet, Wyatt was ready to shut off the water when he saw Sam coming around the corner of the house.
"I thought I heard you guys back here," Sam said as he stepped up on the porch.
"Good to see you. You want in on this?" Wyatt asked and turned the hose in his direction.
"No, thank you. But I'll get you towels so you can dry off," Sam said and started to go inside.
"I was picturing a whole wet t-shirt thing happening," Wyatt told him in a low voice as he passed by.
"Maybe some other time," Sam said. "I came over here to help you cook for your friend."
"She's unpacking right now," Wyatt told him then he called out into the house. "Come and meet Sam!"
