Love Me Through the Rain Read online

  She could tell Summer wanted to laugh but she didn’t.

  “Go ahead and laugh. It’s fine. It’s funny. If I didn’t feel like such a damn clown I would laugh too.”

  “Why you feeling crazy now? What’s done is done. It’s not like you can take back what you said. My advice to you is to own that shit. If you said it, say you said it. He told you to mean what you say? Then mean it. Go tell that nigga where your heart is at. If he’s still playing after that, then you can feel like a fool.”

  Rain let her sister’s words sink in. She was a little hesitant but Summer hadn’t steered her wrong yet so she would listen this time. If this idea was a bust she would be slapping the taste out of Summer’s mouth.

  “You gon’ come with me?”

  Summer rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll go.” She waved to Jacorey before walking off with Rain.

  Rain led her back to where the fire trucks were. The closer she got, the more nervous she became. What was she going to say? She had not the slightest idea how to even approach him after what she’d just said. She looked around the general area but she didn’t see him.

  “There he go right there.” Summer pointed to the front of the fire truck. He was talking to a little girl in the front seat.

  Jesus must have been on her side because it seemed like Love looked directly at her. She nodded her head before waving for him to come over. He pointed at the little girl and motioned for her to come to him instead. Rain looked at Summer for what to do next. Versus saying anything Summer gave her a slight push in Love’s direction.

  “Don’t get scared. Just go. Either he’s with it, or he ain’t.”

  “If he ain’t, get ready to get slapped when I get back.” Rain walked towards him until she was in front of the truck he was in.

  “Can you come here for a second?”

  “What’s up? I can hear you from here,” he yelled back.

  Rain did not want to yell what she had to say for everyone to hear but she didn’t want her courage to dwindle. It was either now or never.

  “I meant what I said.”

  Love leaned out of the window with his hand to his ear. “What? I didn’t hear you.”

  “I SAID I KNOW WHERE MY HEART IS!” Rain’s voice carried for everyone to hear.

  Why God chose that moment to let everything go semi quiet she didn’t know, but He had. Now everyone was looking at her. She wanted to crawl in a hole and hide forever. Love, on the other hand, looked to be enjoying it. He was smiling from ear to ear as his dreads dangled out of the window

  “Tell me where it’s at baby.” His voice soothed her nerves. It was deep and smooth like silk, or a beautiful tune of jazz music.

  “With you. You got it Kota. I meant what I said.” Rain kept her gaze on him so she didn’t have to look at any of the people staring at them.

  “Whooooo! Do it Rain baby!” she heard Summer yell. Thank God for my sister.

  When Love opened the door and got out of the truck she got nervous again. She looked at him, then looked away then looked at him again. He walked to her with urgency and grabbed her into a hug.

  “I already knew you meant it. I just wanted you to be sure for yourself.”

  “How’d you know?”

  “Shawty, you’ve been in love with me since the first day we met.” Love’s grin was so beautiful.

  “You’re right. I have.” Rain kissed the front of his neck where his Adam’s apple was. “So what? Is this Goddess-Rain and Dakota Love or nah?”

  Love laughed before pushing some of his hair out of his face. “It is baby. It’s us. I got you baby doll. Know that…alright?”

  “Alright.” Rain leaned her head back so he could kiss her mouth.

  The small crowd of people around them clapped and whistled, embarrassing Rain further. But this time, it was okay. She had her man there. She could hide in his arms.

  *****

  The soft sounds of Jagged Edge’s “Say Goodbye” crooned through the speakers in Alex’s apartment as he cleaned and prepared for his company. He and Troy were once again on the outs because he’d decided to go to the safety forum at the park with his friends instead of going to see Alex’s grandma like he’d planned initially. Alex couldn’t understand how Troy could get mad with him to the point of not speaking about his grandma. That was backwards as hell to him, but that was cool. Troy throwing his little tantrum gave Alex free time to entertain. He loved Troy and everything but that he was starting to get on his nerves. Troy had him so mad earlier he’d ended up leaving the park early and heading home to get drunk. It just so happen he ran into one his old men while at the gas station. His head was banging so he stopped to get a Tylenol and ran right into him. Literally he was coming out when Alex was going in. He was so busy texting Troy he slammed dead into the boy. Once Alex saw who it was he got tingly on the inside. If there was one thing Alex missed about this li’l tenderoni, it was the way he laid the pipe. He was only 19 and still trying to hide his sexuality but that was fine by Alex. He wasn’t trying to marry the li’l nigga; he just wanted some sex. After telling Alex he’d be over later they left. Now Alex was home, waiting. He’d just texted and told him he was on his way and to leave the door unlocked.

  “I see you followed my directions.”

  Alex turned around when he heard Johnathan’s voice. He was standing behind him smiling. He was still dressed in his uniform which led him to believe he still hadn’t been home.

  “Why you ain’t go home and change?” Alex turned his nose up.

  “I didn’t need to. I ain’t did nothing all day.”

  “Nigga you are fucking nasty. You washing that thing before you bring it anywhere near me.” Alex was not playing that shit.

  Johnathan took a seat on the sofa. “Why you tripping? We ain’t doing nothing but fucking. I ain’t got to get fresh for that shit.”

  Alex shook his head and rolled his eyes. This was his problem with talking to men younger than him; they were nasty as hell. What grown man doesn’t think he needs to wash his dick before sex?

  “You nasty fucker. You washing it or you can leave.” Alex waited for him to object.

  When Johnathan began to unlace his tan boots, he knew he had him. He stood in front of Alex until he was completely undressed before walking past him and going to the bathroom. He’d been here numerous times before so he knew where everything was. Alex picked the green and tan Army uniform up from the floor, folded it, and sat it by the door along with his boots. If these girls only knew. All the bitches wanted a soldier. Hell, if they knew like he knew they’d stop. Most of the men he dealt with were soldiers. A short while later Johnathan returned to living room dripping wet and sat down on the sofa again. Alex almost lost it.

  “If you don’t get your wet ass up, dripping all over my damn couch.” Alex held the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “You working my got damn nerves tonight. You two seconds from getting put out.”

  Johnathan stood and walked over to Alex.

  “Stop tripping and come serve ya boy. Damn, you acting mean as shit today.”

  Alex looked at him for a minute just taking in his presence. When Johnathan pulled him towards the sofa he followed. That quick he was back in the mood. It didn’t take much for him to get ready and Johnathan checking him had him right back excited. Alex got right down to business. While putting in some of his best work he could hear Johnathan’s cell phone ringing. The way Johnathan was moaning you could tell he hadn’t heard it yet. It continued to ring for a minute before he leaned over slightly and grabbed it from the arm of the sofa. He placed his finger to his lips to silence Alex.

  What the fuck was I saying? Alex rolled his eyes and lowered his head back into Johnathan’s lap.

  “Hey baby. Nah not yet. I have to work late tonight. We’re cleaning weapons to take to the field this weekend…AHHHH…oh no baby, nothin happened. I just hit my finger…umm...alright, I’ll call you when I get off. Love you too girl.” Johnathan smiled the entire time he wa
s on the phone.

  Alex was way past annoyed. Why in the hell would he even bother answering the phone for his girlfriend while he was there? After hanging up the phone he put his hands on the back of Alex’s head and pumped his hips faster.

  Alex slapped his hands away. “Don’t mess up my fucking hair because you’re in a hurry to get to wifey now.”

  “Yo shut up with that shit. You already know what’s up.”

  Alex looked at him like he was crazy. “You know what? You’re right, I do,” Alex stood from the floor. “Get your shit and get out my house.”

  “Man you better stop tripping and get back down here and finish what you started.”

  “Like I said, get your shit and bounce.”

  Johnathan sat on the seat for a minute longer staring at Alex like he was speaking a foreign language. When Alex didn’t budge he jumped up and proceeded to get dressed. He snatched and pulled at his clothing until they were on his body. Once he was put back together he grabbed his phone and keys and walked out. He was sure to slam the door, like that meant anything to Alex. All that mattered was that his ass was gone. Out of all the things that Alex tolerated, disrespect wasn’t one of them. Who Johnathan thought he was sitting up in his house getting smart was a mystery to him. Alex wiped his mouth and fixed the pillows on his couch. He noticed a wet spot on the back of the sofa and wanted to call and cuss Johnathan out. Once he got his living room situated again he locked his door and went to his room. He brushed his teeth, wrapped his hair, and got into bed. He stayed up as long as he could watching Lifetime before falling asleep.

  “What in the hell?” Alex said aloud as he checked the time on his phone.

  It was almost three o’clock in the morning and someone was knocking on his door. He laid there for a second trying to think of who it could be. It wasn’t Summer or Rain because they had keys. The knocking continued so he got out of bed and headed for the door. He hoped whoever was knocking was prepared to get cussed out. If this is Johnathan’s little baby ass I know something. Alex huffed as he looked out of the peephole. To his surprise it was Damien. Alex opened the door and he stumbled in, clearly intoxicated. He gave Alex a lazy grin before looking him up and down. After locking the door Alex stood near the sofa watching him. He had laid down fully clothed and was looking at him. The silent stare off only continued for a few seconds before Damien held his hand out for Alex to take. Instead of taking it Alex took the seat across from him on his love seat. Damien’s face displayed his annoyance.

  “What’s up now man?”

  “What was up with you at the party the other night? You ain’t see me then so what you doing here now?”

  Man go on with that bullshit. You know how this shit goes.”

  “I’m so tired of y’all niggas using that same line. No I don’t know how the fuck it goes. Please enlighten me.” Alex crossed his legs and rested his head in the palm of his hand as he waited.

  “I’m drunk as hell and don’t feel like talking about this shit tonight. Just come lay down and stop acting up every time I come over here. I swear sometimes you really do act like a female.”

  Alex was sleepy and didn’t have time for these niggas today. He got up from his sofa and went back down the hall to his room. He was in bed and almost back to sleep when he heard Damien come in. He peeked at him as he undressed. When he was naked as the day he was born, he eased in the bed next to Alex. He stayed on his side for a minute before turning over and scooting closer to him. Alex wasn’t surprised at Damien’s behavior because this was what they did. Whenever they did spend time together it was like they were in a real relationship. Damien wanted to be right up under him. As soft as he acted when he was around Alex it was a wonder he was able to maintain the front of being straight so well. His head was resting on Alex’s shoulder as he slept. Out of all the men that he dealt with Damien was his one. He loved him to death, and oddly enough he knew the feelings were mutual.

  “Go to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning,” Damien said.

  Alex chose to say nothing and went to sleep as well. The next morning Damien woke Alex up asking for some medicine for a headache. He dragged himself out of bed and grabbed the Tylenol he’d gotten the night before for his own headache and a bottle of cranberry juice from the refrigerator. Damien was sitting straight up in bed with the covers around his waist waiting for him to return. He gobbled the two pills Alex handed him before downing the entire bottle of juice.

  “Go ahead. I know you ready to start some shit.” He laid back down on the pillow and looked at Alex.

  “I think we should stop seeing each other.”

  “Because I ain’t speak to you the other night?” He sat back up in bed.

  “That and because this ain’t right. If I can’t have you like I want to, then I don’t want you.”

  “Alex, don’t even start this shit. You knew what it was before we even started kicking it.”

  “I did but I’m tired of that now.” Alex could tell Damien was getting angry. “Just be with your baby mama and let’s forget this little fling.”

  “Fling? That’s what you think this is?” Damien asked as he jumped out of the bed.

  Alex watched him get dressed. He gave him evil looks every time they made eye contact. Before he stormed out of the house, he looked at Alex once more before making him feel bad.

  “I love you. I know our situation is fucked up, but it’s real. How I feel is real.” He looked Alex up and down with a snarl on his face and walked out of the door.

  Alex laid back on his bed and shook his head. Two men storming out on him in less than 24 hours. What kind of luck did he have? Between Damien and Troy he didn’t know who he loved the most. At that very moment he didn’t know where his heart was at.

  Chapter 10: Could This Be Love?

  Love pulled his truck into the small driveway to Rain’s house. Her car was parked a little crooked which left him hardly any room to get out. With his small gym bag thrown over his shoulder he slid out his door the best way he could and walked to her door. It was almost seven o’clock in the morning and he was just getting off from work. He’d worked the night shift and he was so tired he felt like he was sleep walking. All he wanted to do was climb into bed with Rain. He was on his way home when he changed his mind and headed for Rain’s spot instead. Knowing her she was probably still asleep. She normally stayed up so late at night writing, she ended up sleeping pretty late during the day. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. He kicked himself for not calling on his way over; that way she could have been looking for him. His call went to voicemail, so he dialed it right back. It took three calls before she finally answered.

  “Hey babe.” Her voice was groggy.

  “Come open the door. I’m outside.”

  “Here I come.”

  Love could hear movement as she got out of bed and walked down her stairs. When she opened the door in a tank top and pair of shorts that looked more like panties, he was caught off guard momentarily. Her hair was up in a sloppy ponytail with a scarf around it and she wasn’t wearing a bra. She yawned before giving him a sleepy smile. They were both still holding the phones to their ears, as if they couldn’t talk in person now. Her eyes were low from having just woke up.

  “You look beautiful.” Love entered the house and pushed the door closed behind him.

  “It’s too early for lies Dakota.”

  Love followed her back up the stairs and into her bedroom. It was black dark and she had music playing. The best thing about Rain’s room was the curtains. No matter how bright it was outside you wouldn’t know unless you opened the curtains. She’d told him how much she hated the sunlight waking her up after a long night so she’d found some blackout drapes. This worked in his favor on days like this. He dropped his gym bag and pulled his shirt off. Rain had already gotten back into bed and was pulling the covers over her head when he pulled them away from her so he could get in. She sucked her teeth and snatched them back. Her little ass
had better be glad he was sleepy or he would have kept messing with her. Love scooted right up on her and wrapped both of his arms around her. She scooted back as far as she could so that he could hold her tighter. This was why he skipped going home and came to her house instead.

  “How long you been asleep?”

  She lifted her head to see the clock on her nightstand. “For about an hour and a half.”

  “So you worked the night shift too, huh?”

  He could see her cheeks rise from her smile.

  “As always. How was work?”

  “It was cool. No fires so that was good.”

  Rain laughed lightly. “How you a fireman that don’t want to put out fires?”

  He bit her neck and she tried to squirm away but he held her tighter. “I don’t mind putting out fires. As a matter of fact, I love putting them out. It’s one in particular that I can’t wait to put out.” Love licked small circles around the back of her neck. “I know it’s burning for me, just waiting on me to get it wet enough to make those flames simmer out.”

  Rain sighed and sank deeper into his chest.

  “What you think baby doll? You got some heat for me?”

  “Why you playing with me Dakota?”

  “Because you play with me Rain. All day I’m looking at you, watching the way you move, how graceful you talk and laugh, how soft and perfect you feel in my arms. You stay playing with me. I ain’t been this caught up in a woman since I’ve been alive.” Love kissed her shoulder. “I think I’m finally happy bae.”

  Dakota listened to himself talk and this was the first time he hadn’t wanted to take back the things he was saying. The last few months with Rain were like something out of a fairytale. All he wanted to do was hold her. If she was around he had to be touching her, looking at her or something. The attraction was way too strong.

  “Me too Love. I really am.”

  “Nah, don’t call me that.”

  “That’s what everybody else calls you.”

  “You’re not everybody else.”

  Rain turned around so that they were face to face. Her smooth skin and strategically arched eyebrows stood out amongst everything. Dakota could lay in her face and inhale all the air she exhaled. That’s just how close he wanted to be to her. Her face was serious and filled with curiosity and something else he wasn’t used to seeing. What was it? Could it be love? Nah, maybe admiration or something, but not love. She didn’t love him yet, or did she?