Love Me Through the Rain

by A'zayler

  “What she got over there Rain?” Summer leaned on the counter.

  “She got hella liquor. What y’all want?” Rain started grabbing cups, and different liquors and mixers.

  “Uh-oh the li’l bartender coming out of retirement,” Alex teased.

  Rain had been a bartender all through college and afterwards up until a few months ago. After her ex boo got killed she kind of fell off the scene.

  “Shut up if you want something to drink. I’ll make me and Summer something and have your ass drinking that mixed up shit in that cooler.” Rain pointed at the large clear jug on the counter that clearly had been mixed since earlier. It looked warm and not very appetizing. Aside from that, they didn’t drink anything they hadn’t seen being made. Couldn’t trust people these days.

  Alex playfully zipped his lips as he leaned on the counter next to Summer. Rain made herself at home in the kitchen mixing and blending drinks for the three of them. A few people had even come in and asked her to make them one as well. One drink turned into ten, and ten turned into almost the whole damn party coming in asking for a personalized drinks. Alex and Summer stayed in the kitchen keeping her entertained while she served. Alex had just downed his third cup of some fruity drink Rain had mixed when his eyes caught sight of one of his little friends. He was on his way in the kitchen looking sexier than ever. His cargo shorts and Jordan sneakers had him looking extra fly. His hair was freshly lined up and he was flashing that smile that got Alex in his feelings every time he came around. As bad as Alex wanted to turn away he couldn’t. That’s the kind of pull this nigga had on him. They had been dealing with each other on and off for almost two years and every time Alex tried to leave him alone, he fell weak again. Damien was the ultimate player. He was one of the biggest drug dealers in the city and had more women than a little bit, but still found time to fuck with Alex. He was one of the main reasons Alex hated dealing with undercover niggas. Whenever he saw him out, he would ignore him. In the beginning it used to bother him, but that was the game they played so he had to get over it. He’d told Summer and Rain about his feelings for him on numerous occasions but they’d never seen him. Alex loved him so much he was willing to keep his secret from everybody, including his best friends. He had no idea Connie knew this nigga, but knowing her, she probably did his tattoos. That was her side hustle.

  “You got the party buzzing with these drinks Ms. Lady,” Damien said to Rain.

  “I see. I ain’t even come here for this, but it’s cool. You want something?”

  Alex watched Damien’s eyes travel up and down Rain’s body before stopping at her face again. A blind person could see the lust in them. Alex shifted from one foot to the other and took another sip of his drink.

  Damien smiled, showing all thirty two got damn teeth. “I’ll just take a shot of that Crown Apple and your number if you feeling generous.”

  Alex rolled his eyes.

  “I got you on the Crown Apple, but I’ma have to pass on the latter.”

  “Damn. You got a man, don’t you? You too pretty not to have one.” Damien was so busy flirting with Rain he had yet to look up and see Alex and Summer standing right behind her.

  “Something like that.” Rain slid him the shot glass of liquor.

  He ran his hand down the side of her head touching her hair. “Well that still leaves room for me then.”

  “Awww Summer look at her being faithful to Love in the Club,” Alex said. He was tired of watching Damien hit on Rain. He wouldn’t have cared if it was any other female, but not her. She was his baby. There was no way in the world he would ever in life let Damien’s tainted ass fuck with her. Damien paused for a second when he looked up. Anybody other than Alex might have missed it, but he didn’t. That nigga was shocked as hell to see him.

  “Fine as he is, I’d be faithful too,” Summer added in.

  “My friends are lame. Please excuse them,” Rain said to Damien who was still standing there looking all kinds of awkward.

  “Nah, they cool. What’s up y’all?” He nodded his head and slid her the glass and asked for another shot.

  Alex waved while Summer’s tipsy ass started flirting. “Well my sister may be somewhat taken, but I’m not.” She was smiling at Damien, who had the nerve to smile back.

  “That’s what’s up baby. I’ma holla at you before you leave.” Damien took his second shot and exited the kitchen.

  Alex shook his head. Had he not been standing there Damien would have pulled one of their asses.

  “Did he just blow me off?” Summer asked.

  Alex and Rain both looked at her like she was crazy before laughing.

  “Yeah sissy I think he did.” Rain rubbed her arm playfully.

  “Damn,” Summer said like she didn’t understand.

  If it hadn’t been so funny, and they were somewhere different Alex probably would have considered telling them the reason for Damien’s behavior. Alex looked out into the dining room where he’d just went and watched him mingle with different women for a minute before returning his attention back to his friends. This was getting old.

  Chapter 6: Meant to Be

  “Bruh that hat fresh as fuck,” Jacorey said as he and Love walked up the sidewalk.

  “This shit is cold, ain’t it? I got it out DTLR the other day,” Love told him.

  They had just pulled up to their li’l home girl’s crib. She was having a get together and had invited them. Normally Love didn’t do the house party thing but he fucked with Connie the long way so he had to show her some love. She was good people so he would kick it with her for a li’l while before heading to the house. He wouldn’t mind sliding on Rain to see what she was up to. She’d been on his mind since she’d left his job. He’d texted her earlier to come back to the station but she was out shopping with her sister so he told her to just hit him back later. That was hours ago and she still hadn’t hit his line. He thought about falling back some just in case she was on some games but every time he tried not to think about her, he failed. The little shorts she’d had on earlier were still in his mind. They fit her small body just right. They exposed just enough skin. Her long brown legs and little thighs had his mind thinking some foul shit. It was cute to him how she was skinny but toned. Her thighs were bigger than most of the skinny girls he’d seen. The little curly natural way she had her hair was nice as hell too.

  Thinking about her ass again.

  Love ran his hand over his face before opening the door to Connie’s spot. He never really knocked when he came over. They were cool with each other like that. She’d done all of he and Jacorey’s tats, so needless to say they were over there a lot. Both of their asses were tatted the fuck up.

  “Damn, it’s thick as hell up in here,” Love said

  “Hell yeah. All these bitches. Just my speed.”

  “Nigga that’s all your ass think about.”

  Jacorey slapped Love’s back teasingly. “Bruh, you know me. I need me a new piece every night.”

  Love shook his head. He didn’t see how Jacorey was still on that shit. Different bitches every night wasn’t something he wasn’t too fond of anymore, but that was his boy so he was with it if he was. They walked deeper into the house, dapping people up along the way. Love could see the women were taking notice to their entrance. Some were smiling and winking while others looked like they were on their way over to them. He and Jacorey were very well known around the city.

  “Hey Love,” Keena said as she walked up to him.

  “What up shawty?”

  “You look so handsome. How long you staying?”

  Love looked down at her. She was biting her lip and rubbing up and down his arm.

  “I don’t know yet. What’s up?”

  “Nothing, I just miss you. We should hang out when we leave.”

  Love nodded his head. “Cool. I’ll check you before I leave.”

  Keena smiled at him. “Don’t be playing Love.”

  “I’m not shawty. I got you.” H
e smiled before pinching her cheek and walking off with Jacorey right behind him. He had been talking to some chick too but stopped when he saw Love leaving.

  “Keena’s ass be right up on you.”

  “I know. It’s like she can smell a nigga coming.”

  Love and Jacorey chuckled a little before making their way through the house looking for Connie. They found her in the dining room playing cards. When she saw them, she told the people she was playing with she’d be right back before hopping up to hug them. She jumped on Jacorey first. She was kissing all over the side of that nigga’s face and saying little silly shit about him being her husband. It never failed. Whenever they came around she flirted with him. Love had tried too many times to convince Jacorey that the girl was feeling him but he refused to acknowledge it. He wanted no parts of that. He’d smashed her a few times in the past but said it wasn’t about shit so he was wasn’t fucking with her like that no more. Ever since then, she would act a little possessive of him. That shit pissed Jacorey off but he played it cool most of the time. When she was done molesting him she hugged Love next.

  “It’s about time y’all asses showed up. The party gon’ be over in a minute,” she joked.

  “We had a couple of things to handle before we got here,” Love told her.

  “Yeah. Probably a couple of bitches to fuck,” Connie said as she looked at Jacorey.

  Love couldn’t help himself. He had to laugh. She was on that nigga hard. The whole ride over he’d told Love he wasn’t in the mood for her shit, but he would come for a minute to show his face and if she started acting crazy he was out. When he looked over at Jacorey he could see the annoyed look on his face.

  “Aye Connie, chill out girl. Y’all ain’t got nothing to sip on?”

  “Yeah in the kitchen. I even got a pretty little bartender handling things for me. Help y’all selves.” She winked and went back to the table.

  “A pretty little bartender sounds like my type.” Jacorey rubbed his hands together and headed for the kitchen.

  Love was right behind him. Jacorey stopped at the kitchen door so he couldn’t see anything but the girl’s shoes and hand. Jacorey was blocking the rest of the entry.

  “Aye Love come check out the li’l bartender,” Jacorey said over his shoulder.

  Love wasn’t in the mood to flirt for real but he’d see what was up. It wasn’t like he was in a relationship and Rain was obviously into playing games. He walked closer to the door and looked over Jacorey’s shoulder. The smile that crossed his face was uncontrollable. He felt lame for smiling so hard, but he couldn’t stop it if he wanted to. The only reason he felt halfway okay for his reaction to her was because she was smiling just as hard.

  “Now I see why I never heard back from you. What you doing up in here?” Love asked as he grabbed her hand and pulled her to him for a hug. His grip on her was tight as he inhaled the scent of her hair.

  “I was going to text you once I left here.”

  “You good baby doll. I just wanted to see you again today, that’s all.” He ran his hand through her hair before looking up at her friends. “What’s up y’all?”

  “Heyyyy Love in the Club,” her little gay friend said.

  Her sister pushed him before looking back at him. “Excuse this bitch. He ain’t got no manners.” She waved before looking over at Jacorey. “Hey to you too friend.”

  “What’s up beautiful?” Jacorey eased a little closer to her.

  This nigga. Love smirked at his best friend.

  His ass stayed ready to finesse a female. He watched him talk to Rain’s sister for a few more minutes before he felt Rain moving out of his grasp. Until then he hadn’t even paid attention to the fact that he was still holding onto her. Maybe it was because she fit seamlessly in his arms or the fact that holding her just felt so natural. He looked down at her.

  “I like your hair like this.” She stood on her tip-toes so she could touch his hair. It was freshly twisted and twisted back into two fishtails.

  “Preciate that. You still ain’t told me what you doing here.”

  “Connie is Alex’s friend. She invited him and he didn’t want to come by himself so he suckered us into coming with him.”

  “I’m glad he did. If he hadn’t I probably wouldn’t have seen your ass.”

  Rain smiled and looked down at her feet before looking back up. “Yes you would have. I told you I was going to text you.”

  “You probably only said that shit ‘cause you got caught out.”

  Rain released a nervous laugh and grabbed the side of his shirt. She held onto the side of his body while looking up at him. Love’s eyes observed the way her eyelashes curled. His eyes roamed over every inch of her face as he watched her watch him. Neither of them said anything. They just looked at each other. Love didn’t know what he was thinking but his lips were on hers before he had a chance to think about it. She kissed him back eagerly. He felt her grip tighten on his side. The kiss was gentle at first, but once he stuck his tongue in her mouth she got even more aggressive. She was devouring his lips and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like it. His hands went around her waist, pulling her body into his. He was tempted to pick her up and sit her on the counter because he was leaning over so far. She was shorter than him, but it wasn’t too bad. It just would have been a little more comfortable if she was up higher.

  “Let me get my ass out of here. Both of y’all bitches boo’ed up and I’m over here in the corner like the ugly friend,” Alex’s voice broke their kiss.

  Rain pulled away from him and turned around to face her friend. Love wanted to punch that blocking ass nigga in the face for interrupting his kiss, but he wouldn’t. That was her people.

  “Stop your mess Alex,” Rain said.

  “I’m for real. Those niggas walked up in here and y’all ain’t been stun my ass. Especially your li’l fast butt.” Alex waved his finger in Rain’s face. It was clear that he was drunk. “What more can I expect from two people that said they loved each other the first night they met.”

  Rain, Summer, Alex, and Jacorey all laughed at that. Love even found himself chuckling. This nigga here was a fucking trip.

  “I’ma slap your drunk ass.” Rain took the cup he had been holding.

  “Slap me then. At least then I’ll know somebody sees me up in this bitch. I been seeing people that claim they love me ignoring me all night,” he slurred.

  Although Love didn’t see anything important about what he’d just said, apparently Summer and Rain had. They both walked to him. Love watched them all lean over in a semi huddle whispering. How in the hell a nigga could act like a female all day every day was beyond him. Love observed the weave, nails, and clothes that Alex was wearing and shook his head. By no means was he judging him, nor was he a homophobe, but that shit just wasn’t right. Ain’t no way in hell he would be caught dead in no shit like what that nigga was wearing. His balls had to be hurting in those tight ass pants. He and Jacorey exchanged glances before giving the women and their overly dramatic friend their attention again. They were still whispering. Love wasn’t really feeling it so he leaned forward and pulled Rain’s elbow until she was in front of him again. She looked like she wanted to say something but changed her mind.

  “Come chill with me for a minute.”

  “Where we going?” Her eyebrows were raised.

  “In the living room.”

  “Okay.” She turned around and told her sister and Alex where they were going. He was going to have to get her out of that. She reported to them every time she got ready to make a move like they were her parents or some shit.

  Love held her hand and led them to small love seat in the living room. It was a good thing so many people were standing up dancing, because it left them somewhere to sit. He didn’t miss the hate coming from various sections in the living room where women were, Keena being the main one. She was ice grilling them from across the living room. She probably would have killed Rain on the spot if her eyes wou
ld’ve let her. Once they were comfortable He spread his arms across the back of the sofa. Rain scooted as close as she could to him and tucked one of her legs beneath her. She was so close he could feel her breath on his neck every time she exhaled. She was all in his face, staring hard as hell. She had her arm propped up on her leg with her chin resting in her palm. Some of her hair fell around her shoulder as her head leaned slightly.

  “You’re so beautiful Dakota.”

  Here she go. Love Blushed.

  “So are you Rain.”

  “I missed you today. I kept wanting to talk to you. I almost texted you a million times.”

  Love tried to hide the way her words made him feel. He’d been missing her all day too, but didn’t want to seem pressed, so he didn’t try to contact her anymore after she told him she’d call him back.

  “Why you ain’t call or text me then?” he asked smoothly.

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t want to bother you.” She played with a piece of his hair while avoiding eye contact.

  Love pulled her head up so that she was looking at him. “You don’t bother me. Hit me anytime you want to. Whenever I’m on your mind, let me know.” He looked at her intently as he held her chin in his hand.

  “If I do that, then you have to do the same thing.”

  “I got you. Just don’t be acting funny when I call or text you too many times in one day. You know y’all females love to call dudes thirsty.”

  Rain snickered as she looked into his eyes. “I’m not. I promise. I be wanting to talk to you.”

  “We gon’ see. Any of these niggas in here been trying to holla at you tonight?”

  “A few.”

  “Which ones?” Love wanted to check any nigga that thought they had something coming.

  “You want me to point them out?” She looked confused.