by A'zayler
Rain jumped out the bed and grabbed at her phone. Alex held it up in the air so she couldn’t reach it. Right after she jumped to grab it, he threw it on the bed. Rain ran and snatched it before he could take it again.
“Don’t die trying to check a text.”
“Bye bitch. Go cook.”
Alex shot her a bird and left out of the room. Once Rain was back comfortable in the bed she slid her lock screen open and checked her messages. She had three. Two were from Future Bae, and one was from Stacey. Rain couldn’t stop smiling once she realized he’d saved his number in her phone, and as Future Bae at that. She’d check Stacey’s after she checked his. Stacey was a dude she’d been talking to for a minute but she wasn’t really feeling him. He was too pushy and a tad bit annoying.
Future Bae: I enjoyed you baby doll.
Future Bae: Just checking in with you b4 I slide to work.
Stacey: When you gon let a nigga come see you?
Rain ignored Stacey’s text and replied back to Love.
Rain: I enjoyed you more Kota. I can’t wait to see you again.
Before she could even put her phone back down he texted back. He must have had his phone in his hand.
Future Bae: Me either. What you got planned for today?
Rain: Nothing but writing.
Future Bae: U can stop by the station if you want.
Rain: Time? Place?
Love sent her the address and told her to come anytime she wanted to. She placed her phone down on the floor next to Alex’s bed and curled into the fetal position so she could get some sleep. It didn’t take long for her to doze off because Alex’s bed was so comfortable and she was so tired. She’d slept pretty good at Love’s house but she wasn’t familiar with him enough to completely knock out. She woke up almost every two hours. When she finally fell asleep and woke up she checked the clock. It was almost two o’clock in the afternoon. She dragged herself from bed and went to search for Alex. He was in the living room with one of his many men watching TV. The dude was lying across Alex’s lap when she came in but jumped up when he saw her. He sat straight up and tried to fix his clothes. Rain turned her nose up at him before looking over at Alex who looked pissed off. Why on earth these down low ass niggas didn’t just own up to being gay, she didn’t know.
“Best friend I need a ride home.”
“No you don’t either. Ain’t nobody tell you to get dropped off over here trying to be slick.”
Rain rolled her eyes. “Just come on. I got somewhere to go.”
“Where?”
“Eww, nosey are we?”
“Eww, rideless are we?” Alex mocked her tone.
Rain had to laugh. Alex’s mouth was so slick with his nosey ass.
“Man for real, come on. Don’t make me beg because I’m not going to. I will take your car and leave your ass stranded.”
Alex held up his hand and shook his head. “See, no bitch, that’s where you’re wrong.”
Mr. Down Low sat on the couch fidgeting like he was uncomfortable but that was good for him. He didn’t have no business over there anyway. Rain could bet that that nigga probably had a girlfriend stashed away somewhere that had no clue he liked men. Rain looked from him back to Alex.
“Alexxxxxxx, come on.”
“How long you plan on being gone because you can just take my car.”
“Not too long. I’ll come through and pick you up later and you can just drive back from my house.”
“You lucky I have company.” Alex grabbed his keys from the table and tossed them to her.
Rain blew him a kiss and went back to his room to grab her things. She grabbed all of her things and left. It was a good thing she lived right around the corner because she was anxious to see Love again, even though she’d just seen him. She thought about what she wanted to put on as she drove home. All she wanted to do was go shower, do her hair, change clothes, and be back out the door.
Chapter 4: Mr. Fireman
Her apartment was cold and quiet as she entered the door. She threw her purse and shoes on the sofa and ran to her bathroom. Once she flipped the shower on she went into her room to put her phone on the charger. With the shampoo in one hand and her loofa in the other she got into the cascade. She washed her hair and put conditioner in there while she showered. When she was done she rinsed the conditioner out before exiting the tub. She decided on a pair of light blue jean shorts and a pink top with a pair of wedges. Her hair was big and curly so she dried it the best she could before putting some natural hair products on it and fingering her curls. Surprisingly her wash and go was working for her today. Her hair looked super cute, especially after she put her headband around it. Rain put lotion, jewelry, and perfume on before going into the living room to grab her purse. She needed to switch from her clutch to a larger one. Once that was done she checked her face in the mirror and grabbed her phone from the charger. Rain had made a complete transformation in under thirty minutes. She checked herself out in the large mirror she had in her living room before exiting her house. With her music playing loudly she cruised down the street headed to the fire station. She sang and snapped her fingers to the beat of Jeremih’s song “Planes.” That was her favorite song right now so she had it on repeat. Occasionally she would look at herself in the mirror to make sure she still looked cute. She hadn’t done anything to look any different than she did since she left the house, so she chopped it up to her nerves. The closer she got his station the more nervous she became. When she pulled into the parking lot of the building number he’d given her she thought her heart would pop out of her chest. It was beating so hard. Rain pulled out her phone and texted him letting him know she was outside. She looked around at the other men that were already outside. Some were playing basketball and others were just sitting around doing nothing. She looked down and scrolled through Facebook while she waited.
“Hey pretty-pretty, you beating down the block, ain’t you?” Love’s deep voice got her attention.
She looked up at him and smiled and shook her head. “Nah, I just love this song.”
“Fuck with your boy and you’ll be in the Mile High Club in no time.” Love had the whitest teeth she’d ever seen. His smile was so bright and pretty.
“You swear that.”
“I’m just stating facts baby doll.”
His dreads were pulled back into a ponytail at the back of his neck, putting every tattoo he had on display. His neck and arms were filled with them. He smiled at her before pulling on the handle to her door.
“Cut your car off and come chill with me for a minute.”
“Can I leave it parked right here or should I move it?”
Love looked over her car to the parking lot next to the building and told her to move over there. He backed away so she could move and started walking over there so he could meet her when she got out. She backed her 2015 all-white Mustang into the empty spot next to his truck and got out. He was standing in front of her car waiting for her, his tall frame leaning slightly as he stood with his arms crossed. She ran her hand through her hair as she looked at the ground. She was a little unsure of what he would think of her hair. The first two times he’d seen her it was straight. When she was right in front of him she finally looked up. She had to look extra hard to make sure he was looking at her because with the way the sun was bouncing off of his brownish-green irises she wasn’t so sure. It was so beautiful the way his eyes appeared to be see-through.
“Get out my face Rain.” He turned his head and blinked slowly trying to stop smiling.
“I’m sorry. Your eyes are just so beautiful.”
“They may be but they ain’t got shit on you. You looking way too cute right now. Who you trying to look all good for?” Love ran his hand through her hair. “Got your li’l curly thing going on.”
“Thanks but this ain’t nothing major. All I did was wash it.”
“It’s nice. I like it.” Love’s eyes admired her body appreciatively. “Can I get a hug, a
kiss, or something?”
Rain walked into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck the best she could. Of course he had to bend down some so she could reach it. She squeezed him tightly as he picked her up off of the ground. She screamed before it turned into laughter. He kissed her cheek a few times before placing her back on his feet. Rain wasn’t ready for that yet because being his arms felt better. Plus he was smelling so good. When she was back upright on her own two feet she grabbed the side of the dark blue T-shirt that had a red fire department emblem in the corner and pulled him back to her. She wasn’t this bold, nor was she shy, but Dakota made her want to be as close as she could be to him. He stepped closer willingly and looked down at her. She stood on her tip-toes and kissed his lips. One simple peck. He stepped back and grabbed her hand, ushering her up the sidewalk. The other men’s stares didn’t go unnoticed but she pretended that they did. They were all dressed alike in the blue shirts with a pair of jersey shorts the same color. Inside there were couches, refrigerators, and even beds. Rain was amazed at the whole set up. She never would have thought a fire station looked like that on the inside. She wasn’t sure what she thought it looked like but she hadn’t pictured anything like this. Dakota led her to the back where they had a few weight benches and another small sofa. He sat down before reaching for her to do the same. Rain took a seat next to him on the small couch and crossed her long legs.
“I’m glad you came.”
“Me too. I was so sleepy after you dropped me off I slept until almost two o’clock. After I woke up I couldn’t wait to get here.”
Love blushed as he put his hand on the top of her thigh. “I couldn’t wait to see you either baby doll.”
“You bring all your women here?”
“Nah, just the ones I’m trying to impress.” He smiled.
Rain pushed his hand off of her. “Well I’m not impressed. You could have left me at home.” She didn’t meant to sound as bothered as she did but that’s how it came out.
“Don’t be mad Rain. I’m just fucking with you.”
“Too late now, I’m already mad.” Rain poked her lip out and crossed her arms over her chest.
She heard him chuckle a little before asking her what he had to do to make her happy again. She thought about it for a minute before asking him about his past relationships and why he was single at the moment. For a minute she thought maybe he wouldn’t answer but he did.
“I got cheated on, so I left her. I wanted it all with her but she played me so now I’m just chilling.”
“Dang, something must be wrong with us. Why both of our people cheated on us?” Rain laid her head back against the back of the sofa and looked over at him.
“They just didn’t know what they had. It’s no pressure though. That just meant it wasn’t meant to be.”
“I used to wonder what I could do to make myself better for the next man…you know. I still do sometimes.”
“You shouldn’t do that. That was his fault, not yours.”
Rain shrugged her shoulders before looking back at him. He was looking at her like she was an object he’d never seen before. His stare was so intense she almost felt uncomfortable.
“Are you serious with the girl from Buffalo Wild Wings?”
He shook his head.
“What about the stripper from Magic City? You looked pretty into her.”
“Nah, they were both just something to do. I don’t even know the stripper. She was just the best dancer they had.”
Rain rolled her eyes and tooted her nose up. She didn’t like that. He ran his hand over her face trying to wipe the frown from her eyebrows. She kissed his fingertips before leaning over and laying her head on his shoulder. He rubbed his hand up and down her thigh as they sat there quietly.
“Can I read your books?”
“You really want to? Or are you just asking?”
“I really want to. I like reading.”
Rain grabbed her phone from her purse and sat back against him. She scrolled through her apps until she pulled up the one she used to write on sometimes. She looked through her stories that she’d started trying to find the two she wanted to give to him. The first one she picked to email to him was her favorite one. It was a love story between two people from two very different worlds who ended up finding happiness with each other. The one she was about to keep out to read to him was about a broken-hearted girl that wanted love more than anything. He told her his email address so she could send it before sliding down some more and pulling her deeper beneath his arm and closer to his chest so they would be comfortable while she read. He had to promise her not to laugh or say anything crazy while she was reading or she was going to stop. Once he gave her his word she began. She read the first three chapters to him before stopping. She looked at him so she could see his reaction for herself.
“Rain, you’re so dope baby doll. That was some good shit.”
“You liked it for real? What part did you like the most?” She turned her head slightly so that she could see his face.
“I liked that even though she’d had her heart broken in the past, she wasn’t ready to count love out completely. That takes courage. Heartbreak ain’t easy.”
Rain watched the way his lips moved as he spoke. His dark chocolate face and long hair were so mesmerizing she could hardly focus on what he was saying. His deep bedroom voice gave her chills as she listened to him analyze her story. He licked his lips quickly before looking down at her.
“Don’t count love out just yet baby doll.”
It was in that moment that Rain thought she would literally turn into a puddle of water and melt into the sofa. His words were so smooth and self-assured she had no other choice but to obey them. She didn’t say anything for a while. She just stared at him instead.
“Dakota, how you got me in my feelings so fast?”
“I’m a real ass nigga. I’m not trying to put you in your feelings I’m just trying to explore a few options with you, if that’s what you want.”
“Yeah that’s what I want.” She answered a little quicker than she probably should have but she couldn’t help it. She was already feeling like she wanted to be with him exclusively and they had only chilled a few times.
“You think you can see yourself with me…like for a while? Or you want to just hang out and see where things go?” His voice sounded a little unsure.
“Umm I think we could probably make the long term thing work depending on what you have going on. I’m not really a causal dating kind of girl.”
“What you mean what I have going on?”
“How many women you have, how much drama I’ll have to deal with to be with you, the basic stuff.”
Love ran his hand through her curly hair and massaged her scalp.
“You have nothing to worry about.”
Rain sat up so that she could see his face. “Don’t be evasive.”
“Give me a kiss.” Love totally disregarded her comment.
Rain was no fool. She noticed he hadn’t said anything about his women or drama. Although she wanted to discuss it right then she decided she’d just wait. She’d see for herself in due timing. His words sounded sincere so she’d wait to see. Right now he was looking at her with eyes that made her want to love him so she leaned forward and kissed him. His hands went to her hair as he held her head and kissed her mouth. She moaned a little because it was feeling too good. In the middle of their kiss a loud siren went off. He let her go with the quickness. He jumped up and was about to run out of the room but stopped and turned towards her.
“I gotta go baby. Go home and I’ll call you later.”
Rain grabbed her things and headed for the door. When she got down the hall the other men were already putting on their thick yellow overalls and boots. Some were already in the trucks and cranking up while others jumped on the back. The whole scene was so surreal. She’d never seen anything like this up close in real life. Sure, she’d seen the trucks flying down the streets but t
his was different. She had just got to the entrance when Dakota ran past her dressed in his uniform. Oh lawd help me! Rain stopped and looked at him. She couldn’t have taken her eyes off of him if she wanted to. He was so got damn sexy in that uniform. She didn’t know if it was him or if it was because he was going to save someone’s life. Whatever it was he was looking way sexier now than he had the last few times she’d seen him. He doubled back, kissed her lips, and pushed her towards the exit. She cranked up as the truck came speeding down past her. She watched them descend down the street before pulling off.
Rain pulled out her cell phone and called Summer. She had gotten all dressed up and she wasn’t ready to go home yet. Maybe they could go to the mall and grab some food or something. When Summer answered she could hear children in the background. Rain sucked her teeth and checked the clock. She had totally forgotten Summer taught summer school. There was a little more shuffling and yelling as she heard Summer telling the kids to turn in their homework.
“What’s up sister? What you doing?”
“Just left the fire department. I was trying to see did you want to go get some food or something.”
“The fire department? What the hell you doing up there?”
“Oh damn, I ain’t tell you Dakota was a firefighter?”
“First off who is Dakota, and secondly no you didn’t.”
“You so damn slow. I swear I don’t know how you got a job teaching peoples’ kids. Dakota is Love in the Club from Magic City. His name is Dakota Love and he’s a firefighter. You got it now?” Rain used their nickname for him to refresh her memory.
Summer was laughing. “My bad man. I thought Love was his name. But damnnnnn, he a firefighter? That’s what I’m talking about. Do it Dakota Love.”
“You so stupid Summer. What time you get done with those li’l rascals you teach? I’m hungry.”
“Come up here. I should be done in another thirty minutes. Call me when you get outside. I have to go. These li’l niggas think because I’m on the phone they can get loud. Bye girl.” Summer hung up before Rain could say anything.