Rain's Theory

by K. C. Mills

  I felt like a total, selfish ass, hearing myself finally say it out loud.

  “And let me guess, you came here looking for Theory. I mean I know you grew up here and then moved to Florida, so you’re basically back for him and you dragged Mel with you, right into it. That’s foul Rain,” Diamond said without flinching, and the look she gave me let me know just how foul I really was.

  “I know, damn. That was really fucked up, but I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “Your selfish ass should have broken it off with Mel and then moved here by your damn self, if you knew that you were coming here to chase another man, that’s what you should have done.”

  I looked at Diamond not believing the way she had just laid me out; but, she was right, so I really couldn’t say anything.

  “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not judging. Love and good dick are two powerful things and will make you do some dumb shit. Trust me, I have had plenty of dumb shit moments but you took it to a whole new level. You need to figure out what you want to do because you’re playing with hearts and that shit gets you fucked up real quick.”

  “I thought I had it figured out. After the way Theory acted in the club, I decided I was going to make things work with Mel and just let it go, but then Mel started talking about forever and marriage and I knew, I just knew I couldn’t. I would never love Mel the way I love Theory, but the messed up part is that I don’t think that Theory is the person he used to be. So I’m in love with a ghost and about to lose the one person who has put up with my emotionally disconnected ass for the last two years. I’m so fucking confused,” I said lowering my head again.

  Diamond laughed. “Girl, you need to get drunk. How about after work we go out. I know you don’t feel like being stuck in that apartment with Mel, and looks like your captain save a hoe is on hold for right now, so I’m all your antisocial ass has for the moment.”

  “Well damn, you make it sound like I’m a charity case,” I said, raising my head slightly to look at Diamond.

  “No boo, not a charity case, just mentally fucked in the head and in dire need of a night out. So let’s finish this layout and then drinks are on me. You can crash at my place if you want, or I’ll make sure you get home, but either way I’m getting you drunk tonight.”

  “I’m totally going to regret this but okay,” I agreed.

  “Oh sweetie, did you think you had an option,” Diamond joked, looking at me like you would someone who needed sympathy.

  “See, this is why I don’t do friends. It’s too much work.” Diamond and I both laughed and then got back to work. I was actually looking forward to an evening of mindless behavior. I needed it.

  -6-

  Theory

  I was sitting at the bar chilling with Niles and Frank, when Niles grabbed my arm and pointed to the dance floor.

  “Yo Thee, isn’t that old girl from Marty’s?” he asked as we all laid eyes on Rain.

  We were chilling at Jimmy’s, a small club that had live music from local artists and cheap drinks. It was always packed and me, Niles and Frank chilled here a lot because it was off the radar, and we could just drink and kick it in peace. Frank’s uncle owned it so we just kind of did what the fuck we wanted in here.

  “Yeah, that’s her,” I said, turning back toward the bar and finishing off my beer. I hadn’t talked to Rain since she cussed my ass out and stormed out of Soul the night before, and afterwards, I was so fucking pissed that I left with Monica, fucked the shit out of her and then sent her home. Of course she claimed that she could handle the dick with no strings attached, but she kept trying to make me promise that I would see her again before she left. I took her number and told her I’d think about it, but no promises. Her head game was on point, but she was a lazy fuck, so it was likely I would never call her, but if I saw her out somewhere again, I’d let her suck my dick.

  “Damn Thee, is that you or can a nigga holla at her. She fine as fuck,” Frank said, eyeing Rain as she moved on the dance floor with her home girl from the club the other night. My dick got hard just watching her as she was winding her body on the floor. I chuckled because I could tell from the way she was moving that she was tipsy as hell. It was cute to watch.

  I glanced at Frank in a way that let him know that Rain was off limits. “You can have her friend but keep your eyes off her,” I said with authority.

  Frank just laughed but he knew better than to try me. “I feel you. I can get with that too, she’s sexy as hell.”

  “So if she’s off limits, why the fuck you still over here with us?” Niles asked as he reached for the bottle of Hennessy that was sitting in front of him and filled his glass.

  “Mind your fucking business Niles,” I said.

  “Damn Thee, chill the fuck out. You all hostile and shit. All I did was ask your ass a question.”

  “She must have shot that nigga down, that’s why he still got his ass over here drooling and shit,” Frank said.

  “Have I ever had a fucking problem getting with a female? Hell no, so mind your fucking business and let me have my shit,” I said eyeing both of them.

  As the song ended, Rain and her girl stood in the floor waiting for what was coming next, and when the music slowed down, her girl whispered something to Rain. She nodded and I watched as she headed to the bathroom. Rain stayed on the dance floor moving slowly like she was the only person in the room. I watched for a few more seconds and was about to turn back to the bar, until I noticed a guy moving towards her and wrap his hands around her waist from behind. She leaned back into him but didn’t stop him, and I instantly got heated, so I hopped off my stool and made my way over to them. I stepped in front of Rain who had her eyes closed, and pulled her into my chest, causing a stand off from old boy who backed down and stepped away.

  Rain turned to him as he walked away, “You don’t have to go, he’s leaving,” she snapped, trying to pull away from me.

  I glanced at dude once again and he kept moving. When Rain realized that dude wasn’t coming back, she tried to move away from me, but again, I pulled her into my chest but this time her back was to me, and I let my arm fall around her waist and hold her tightly in place.

  “Theory, please let me go,” she said, but she wasn't resisting the hold I had on her.

  I leaned down and whispered in her ear, “If you really want me to do that I will.”

  Rain turned to face me and I could see the pain in her eyes as she looked into mine. She was still hurt about seeing me with Lani.

  “Are you following me?” she asked.

  I looked around and there were only a few people on the dance floor, but none of them were paying attention to us. My eyes met hers again and I laughed.

  “Why the fuck would I follow you? If I wanted to see you I would just come and see you. I’m here with my boys. Frank’s uncle owns the place,” I said pointing to where Niles and Frank were sitting with their backs to me. I could also see her home girl making her way over to us, but the look I gave her stopped her in her tracks and she turned and went to the bar, after she signaled to Rain where she was heading.

  “Is your girlfriend here?” Rain asked with a little too much attitude.

  “Is your boyfriend here?” I asked with a smirk.

  “No, he’s not,” she said and rolled her eyes. She was tipsy as hell.

  She just stared at me, as I held her body close to mine, like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

  “What’s on your mind Rain?”

  “Nothing.”

  I chuckled. “So you can't talk to me anymore, it’s like that now? Your punk ass boyfriend gets all your secrets?”

  “He’s not a punk and yeah, he gets all my secrets just like your little fuck buddy gets all yours.”

  I leaned down and kissed Rain, sliding my tongue in her mouth and as my tongue danced against hers, I could taste the strawberry daiquiri that she had been drinking. When I finally pulled away, Rain looked dazed which made me laugh.

  “She d
oesn't get my secrets; in fact, she don’t get shit from me but this dick, so stop worrying about her and tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Rain looked at me confused, likely because of what I said about Lani, but I didn’t give a fuck; it was true, so no need to lie about it.

  “Go home with me tonight,” I said, since the cat seemed to have Rain’s fucking tongue and she didn't seem to be able to speak.

  “I can’t do that,” she said looking around.

  “Why not?”

  “You have a girlfriend and I have a boyfriend who I live with, might I add, and he already hates me because I can’t tell him I love him because I’m in love with you,” Rain said and then smiled. Yep, her ass was drunk.

  “If you love me then go home with me tonight. Fuck him. You just said he’s mad at you anyway, so what’s the problem?”

  “The problem is that you’re not who you used to be and I’m a fool for thinking that you would be.”

  Again I laughed. “Come on.” I placed my hands on her hips and guided her to the bar, where her home girl was sitting patiently watching us and the second we were in front of her, she extended a hand to me.

  “I’m Diamond,” she said and I shook her hand.

  “Theory,” I responded after her introduction

  “Yeah, I know,” she said with a smirk.

  “Well Diamond, Rain is going home with me and I will be more than happy to make sure you get home safely,” I said.

  “I drove so I’m good, but thank you,” Diamond said.

  “I’m not going home with him. I’m going home with you,” Rain said as she attempted to move away from me, but again, I pulled her into my chest and held her in place.

  Diamond looked at me and then Rain. “It’s cool Rain. You guys have some shit to figure out.” She focused on me. “Take care of my girl and I mean that, or I'll fuck you up,” Diamond said with all the confidence in the world.

  I laughed, “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, we can’t have that, so I guess I better be on my best behavior then,” I said and winked at her, just as Frank walked over.

  “What’s up Thee, you good?” Frank asked.

  “Yeah nigga, why wouldn't I be?” I asked, looking at him like he was crazy.

  “Damn chill, I was just letting you know that me and Niles are heading out,” Frank said to me, but kept his eyes on Diamond.

  “Aight bet, I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

  “Aight, I'm out,” he said but didn’t leave.

  “Diamond, this is my nigga Frank. Frank, this is Rain’s home girl, Diamond.” I guess I’ll make introductions since this nigga wasn’t leaving.

  “Pleased to meet you,” Frank said smiling and shit. This nigga was too funny.

  “Yeah, same, well I’m out. Rain, you good?” Diamond asked.

  “She’s good,” I answered for her.

  “I can speak for myself, Theory,” Rain said. I need to get my purse out of your car Dia.

  “Okay, come on,” Diamond said.

  We all walked outside and Rain got her purse out of Diamond's car. They held a little side conversation, which I could tell was about me from the looks I was getting, while Frank stood there with me and for what, I don't know because Diamond wasn’t giving his ass the time of day.

  After Rain had her stuff and was next to me again, Frank said goodbye to Diamond and then left me and Rain, as I escorted her drunk ass to my truck. Once she was inside, she leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes. I turned up the radio and headed towards my house.

  “Rain, wake up.” I stood on the passenger side of my truck with the door opened, calling for Rain, but she was knocked out and when she finally opened her eyes and looked at me, she had a goofy ass grin on her face and started rambling, as I helped her out of my truck.

  Once we were inside, I guided her to the sofa where she fell into the corner, pulled her legs up into her chest, and rested her head on them. I left her there and went to my room where I got one of my t-shirts, a pair of boxers, a towel and a washcloth. I needed Rain to sober up so that we could have a real conversation, and I figured a shower would help.

  I took everything to the bedroom across from the master and then went to get Rain.

  “Come with me.” I reached for her hands and pulled her to her feet, holding her in place, while I guided her upstairs to the guest bedroom.

  “I’m not having sex with you,” she said as soon as I walked her into the bedroom.

  I just laughed because she looked so serious standing next to the bed, with her arms folded peering at me.

  “You didn’t hear me say shit about sex, did you? Take this, go take a shower and I’m about to make you some coffee. When you’re done, come downstairs,” I said and then started walking towards the door. She stood there watching me until I was out the room, and shut the door behind me.

  I went to my room, turned on the shower and hopped in real quick, while Rain was taking hers. Once I was done, I dressed in boxer briefs and basketball shorts, no shirt, and headed downstairs. The guest door was still shut, so Rain was either asleep or still in the shower, but I decided to give her some time before I checked on her, so I made my way downstairs and started the coffee.

  About ten minutes later, she came dragging in the kitchen looking like she was three blinks away from death. She was wearing my V-neck and boxer briefs, which were rolled at the waist to keep them from falling off, and she had the front of the t-shirt slightly tucked into them while the rest hung around her body.

  Rain hopped on the counter, scooted back, letting her head rest against the cabinet.

  “You feel better?” I asked.

  “Not really. My head is pounding and I feel like I got hit by a truck.”

  I chuckled and poured her a cup of coffee. “Damn, you got a hangover already. Your ass don’t need to be drinking if you can’t handle it,” I said.

  I sat the cup next to her, and then walked over to the refrigerator to get the creamer. I sat it and the container of sugar next to her along with a spoon, and she started preparing her coffee while I leaned against the counter across from her watching.

  “It was Diamond’s idea. She thought I needed a night out to drink my troubles away and yet, here you are.” Rain looked at me and rolled her eyes which made me laugh.

  “Oh, so I’m your trouble?” I asked.

  “Yep,” she said dryly.

  “Why is that?” I asked.

  “You just are.” She stirred her coffee and then lifted the mug to her face, blowing it before she took a sip.

  I just watched her for a minute, until she finally looked down at the cup she was holding in her hands, trying to avoid my stare.

  “You said that I’m not the person I used to be, what did you mean by that?” I asked remembering what she said in the club.

  “Nothing, it doesn’t matter,” she mumbled and then held her mug to her face again.

  “Come on Rain, don’t do that. Talk to me. You used to be able to tell me anything; hell, I was the only one who you used to talk to.”

  “Yeah, well shit changes and we move on. Clearly, you have.”

  “I have what, changed or moved on?”

  “Both.”

  I looked at Rain trying to figure out what she meant. I knew part of it was the Lani thing, but that wouldn’t really have shit to do with me changing.

  “You were gone for six years, Rain. I didn’t know where you were, I hadn’t seen or talked to you, so what did you expect? I had other women in my life; hell, you’re living with a nigga right now, but that don't have shit to do with who I am. I’m still the same.”

  “But you’re not though. I can tell. You looked right at me while you were with her and it was like fuck you Rain. This is me now. You didn’t even care that I saw you with her.”

  “The fuck you mean I didn’t care? Did I not almost fuck that nigga up for coming at you sideways? You’re the one who got stuck in your damn fee
lings and left. The fuck you expect me to do?”

  “You know what, never mind, it doesn’t matter. You have someone, I have someone so the past is the past.”

  She set her cup down on the counter and for the first time, I noticed the tattoo of my name on the inside of her wrist. I reached for it and smiled when I read it.

  “Rain’s Theory?” I said with a cocky grin.

  “That was a long time ago,” she said, and tried to snatch her wrist away from me, but I held on tighter so that she couldn’t.

  “So does this mean I’m yours?” I asked, as my thumb glided across our names.

  “Apparently not. Like I said, that was a long time ago,”

  She looked sad, I could see it in her eyes. I let go of her wrist and turned my back to her. “What does that say?” I asked pointing to my left shoulder blade where I had her name tatted. I felt her fingers glide across my skin but she didn’t say anything, so I turned to face her again.

  “I didn’t change Rain. I just grew up and moved on because you weren’t here, but you’re still everything to me.”

  I positioned myself in between her legs and leaned in to kiss her. Once our lips met, it just felt right, like no time had passed at all, and we were those same sixteen and eighteen-year-old kids that were in love and looked out for each other.

  “Does that feel like I’ve changed?” I asked after I released her lips.

  She shook her head to tell me no which made me smile, because she couldn’t even speak.

  “I’m glad you’re back,” I said kissing her on the neck and then her shoulder.

  “Are you?” she asked.

  “Hell yeah I am. I missed the fuck outta you, and if I knew where you were, I would have come and got you a long time ago.” I looked at her with the most intense stare because I meant that shit.

  “Yeah, well it’s complicated, isn’t it?”

  “Nah, not really.”

  “How is it not? We both are involved with-”

  “Rain, stop talking to me about that fuck nigga. I don’t give a fuck about him and I mean that shit. That’s your problem, not mine. You wanna leave him, then leave.” I got angry just thinking about the fact that she was laying up under his punk ass every night.