Rain's Theory

by K. C. Mills

  Again, Theory chuckled, likely because he knew I was avoiding his question about having his baby. Knowing his crazy ass, he was serious, but that wasn’t a conversation that I wanted to have.

  “At my shop… hang on, I’m heading to my office.”

  “Your shop? You own a business?”

  “Yeah, what’s up?”

  “What kind of shop?” I asked realizing I didn’t know anything about his life now.

  “I own two detail shops with Frank and Niles, but I’m about to take over so they’ll just be mine in a few weeks. Damn, a nigga can’t own shit Rain?”

  “No, I’m not saying that. I just didn’t know. We never really talked about what you did, so.”

  “I feel you, so back to my baby. You want a girl or a boy first?” Thee said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Would you stop? We’re not there yet, Thee.”

  “Fuck that, yes we are. Shit, it isn’t like we're new or some shit like that. I’ve know your ass since you were eight years old, Rain. I know what kind of person you are and you know me. I already told your ass that you were mine, so what else is there to discuss other than baby names, and when your ass is moving in with me.”

  “I’m not doing this with you. Diamond wants to know what time we’re heading to Frank’s tonight.”

  “Like nine, and I’ll let you slide on this conversation for now, but we’ll finish it tonight after I put that baby in you. I want a boy first.”

  “Oh my God, I’m hanging up now. Diamond’s driving, so send me the address and we’ll meet you there.”

  Theory laughed again and I smiled, as his sexy ass voice flowed through my phone. “Make sure your ass is dressed appropriately too, Rain. I don’t wanna have to knock a muthafucka out tonight for checking your ass out.”

  “You’ll be with me, so what does it matter?” I said, blushing at how protective I knew he was.

  “Oh, that shit matters, trust, so be mindful.”

  “Well then, you make sure you dress appropriately too then,” I said with a smile.

  “The fuck you think this is? I’m a grown ass man Rain.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t want any other females checking out imprints, so you be mindful too.”

  He chuckled. “Then your ass better not get to close to me then. I can’t hide that shit when he’s at attention. You already know,” he said and with an arrogant laugh.

  “By Thee, I’ll call you when we’re on our way.”

  “Yeah, aight.”

  I ended the call and checked the time. It was just after seven, so I had a little time before I needed to start getting dress. Feeling too lazy to move, I yelled for Diamond so that I could let her know when we were heading out.

  “Dia,” I yelled at the top of my lung and then stretched out on my bed.

  I waited a few minutes and when she didn’t show up or answered, I yelled again, “Dia!”

  “Your lazy ass been sleep all day and you couldn’t walk ten feet to my room,” she said from my doorway just before she rolled her eyes.

  “You said you ate too much at lunch. I’m just trying to help you out,” I said, and then laughed at my sorry excuse for being lazy.

  “Whatever hoe,” Diamond said and then shook her head.

  “We’re meeting him at 9:00 so be ready by 8:30.”

  “I guess I better start now; it’s going to take me an hour just to flat iron this mess.”

  “Yep, which is why I’m going natural,” I said, and ran my fingers through my shoulder-length curly hair.

  “Your ass can pull off a Tony the Tiger’s lion mane. I can’t, so I will be straightening this shit.”

  “First of all, you’re dumb as hell because Tony is a TIGER and not a lion and sorry, not everyone can rock that natural beauty,” I winked at Diamond.

  “I got your natural beauty right here,” she flipped me a bird. “And the only reason your ass isn’t straightening your hair is because you know your boy is gonna make you sweat that shit out later.” Diamond flashed me a quick smile before she turned and walked away.

  I didn’t even have comeback for that, so I just grabbed my remote and turned on my TV. I was going to chill for the next hour and then jump in the shower right before it was time to go.

  *****

  “I thought this was supposed to be a few friends,” Diamond said, looking around at all the cars that were lined up along the street and in the driveway, at what we assumed was Frank’s house. It was beyond crowded.

  “Where am I supposed to park?” Diamond asked as her head moved from side to side, searching for an empty space.

  “Umm, pull up there I guess,” I said pointing up the block on the opposite side of the street. I had already shot Theory a text to let him know we were outside, and he said he’d meet me at the door. Diamond followed my instructions, parked, and we both got out. We walked across the yard up the front steps and just as we hit the top, Theory pulled the door open and the sound of music took over.

  “Where’d you park?” he asked, pulling me into a hug and then kissing me like we were alone.

  “Up the block,” Diamond said, bringing Theory out of his lustful trance long enough to focus on her.

  “What's up Diamond, Frank’s been waiting on your ass, I hope you’re ready,” Theory said and smiled, before he grabbed my hand guiding both of us inside. Diamond followed and we made our way through the house, out the back to a covered patio. It looked like a cabana with burgundy cotton drapes tied off around the sides, with whicker and bamboo furniture everywhere. There was a bar with two women behind it servicing, and there was also an enormous lighted pool at the end of the patio with people standing around it.

  “This is his house?” I asked looking around.

  “Yeah, Frank likes nice shit and doesn’t mind paying for it; he's flashy as hell,” Theory said and then laughed.

  As we moved through the crowd, I noticed how everyone had eyes on us, mostly us because we were with Theory. Guys offered head nods or dap, while women smiled or looked on with jealous, envious eyes. I could tell he was somebody to them, even though he acted like he wasn’t.

  “What up Niles? You seen Frank?”

  “That nigga over there arguing with Fritz about something.”

  He looked at me and smiled before extending a hand. “So we meet again,” he said with a smirk before he glanced at Theory.

  “I guess so,” I said and shook his hand.

  “Yo, chill with that shit before you make me fuck you up Niles, real talk.” Theory shot him an evil look before he pulled me into his body.

  Niles just laughed. “Damn, it’s like that? You got this nigga tripping for real.”

  Theory kissed me on the neck and then let me go. “Chill here for a minute. I’m ‘bout to go find Frank.”

  “Okay,” was all I said while still checking out the crowd.

  “So, I assume drinks are free?” Diamond said pointing to the bar.

  “Always,” Theory said and winked at her. With one last peck on the lips, he disappeared with Niles, and Diamond and I made our way to the bar.

  “So this is how they’re living?” Diamond said as we stood at the bar waiting for the bartender to finish up the current order she was doing.

  I looked around. “I guess so. Thee’s house is nice too. It’s not as big as this, but it’s nice.”

  “Hmmm,” Diamond said with a smirk.

  “What?”

  “They're dope boys,” she said just as the bartender walked up.

  “What can I get you ladies?” she asked.

  “Henny on the rocks,” Diamond said.

  “I’ll have an Amaretto Sour.”

  “You got it.” The bartender walked away to start on our drinks.

  “What makes you say that?” I asked once we were alone again, but I already knew the answer.

  “Come on Rain, look around. There’s a lot of money out here and it ain't corporate money.” She waved her hand in the air and we both
eyed the crowed.

  “Yeah, I know. I pretty much figured that from the first day I saw Thee. I could see it all over him,” I said.

  “You cool with that?” Diamond asked.

  “I guess I have to be don’t I?”

  “Here you go ladies.” The bartender set our drinks down in front of us, just as I caught sight of Theory and Frank moving towards us, but they both got stopped by a familiar face. She grabbed Theory’s arm and his eyes quickly looked in our direction.

  “Isn't that blue light special?”

  “Yep,” I said as I watched their exchange.

  “The fuck she doing here? They know each other? That’s weird as hell, Rain. She’s fucking Mel and she knows Theory?”

  “Looks that way,” I said, as I watched Theory snatch his arm away from her. She was saying something, and I could tell by the look on his face and his body language that he wasn’t happy. She reached for him again, but Frank grabbed her by the arm and pointed to the house as he said something that apparently she didn’t like, because she was waving her hand in the air and yelling. Theory had his eyes on me the entire time, which made her turn to see what he was looking at. The second she saw me, she pointed to me and then back to him before Frank grabbed her arm again and started dragging her towards the back of the house. She eventually pulled away, yelled something else, and then kept moving without Frank's assistance.

  By then, Theory was already on his way to me. The second he was in front of me, he grabbed my hand, dragging me behind him without saying a word. He was pissed but I had no idea why.

  Once we were away from the crowed, on the side of the house, I freed myself from him and looked at him like he had lost his mind.

  “What is your problem?”

  “Do you know Alex?” he asked pointing at the house, I assume to make reference to who he was talking about.

  “No, but apparently you do,” I said matching his attitude.

  “Are you still fucking that nigga Rain?”

  “Who, Mel?”

  “You know who the fuck I’m talking about.”

  “No, I’m not, and you can thank that hoe you were just arguing with for that. She’s the reason why we’re not together anymore. Are you fucking her?” I asked.

  “Hell no, she’s my damn lawyer.”

  “Then why was she acting like a jealous girlfriend, pointing at me and apparently telling you that I’m sleeping with Mel.”

  “Just because I’m not fucking her doesn't mean she doesn't want me to, and I wasn't arguing with her. She told me that she caught you fucking her man earlier today and I needed to check your ass.”

  I laughed, “Really, check me?” I shook my head.

  “Oh, that shit is funny? I couldn’t find your ass earlier today and you claim you were at lunch with Diamond, but your damn car was at your office. Were you with that nigga?”

  “Did you really just ask me that? I was with you last night. Do you really think that I would wake up the next day and go screw someone else?”

  Theory looked at me like he had just said the stupidest thing in the world. I could see it all over his face, but it was too late; I was already pissed.

  “You know what, fuck you and her.” I turned to walk away, but he caught my arm and pulled me close to him.

  “Calm down. That was fucked up and I didn’t mean that shit.”

  “Yeah you did, so please let me go.”

  “No the fuck I didn’t, chill out, damn.”

  Theory had his arms around me and his chin resting on my head.

  I stood there, body rigid, not saying anything; my feelings were hurt. Coming from anybody else it probably wouldn't have meant anything, but Theory knew me. He knew what kind of person I was, so coming from him it cut deep.

  “I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean that shit, but I need you to understand something. From the day I laid eyes on you in Marty’s, you were mine again. I didn’t give a fuck who you called yourself belonging to, you were mine, Rain. Always have been, so to think you were still fucking with that nigga got me heated. I know you, and I know you don’t get down like that, so trust me when I say I didn't mean it. Your yellow ass got me all in my feelings and shit. This is new for me, so it’s gonna take a minute for me to adjust. My ass is not used to it.”

  “Well, you better figure it out real fast,” I said against his chest causing him to laugh. I could feel the vibration from it flow through me.

  “Or what?” he said.

  “Don’t worry about all that.” I looked up at him and rolled my eyes. He grabbed my chin, leaned down and kissed me.

  “Your little ass ain’t gone don shit,” he said with a cocky grin.

  “Try me,” I replied.

  “Come on with your violent ass. I know Frank got your girl sweating.” Again, Theory led the way, and hand in hand, we joined the crowd. We spent the rest of the evening chilling with Frank and Diamond, aside from the few times Niles, Frank and Theory stepped away, apparently to talk business. I could feel eyes on me and Diamond all night, from women who didn’t seem thrilled about the fact that we were the focus of Theory and Frank, but neither of them seemed bothered by it. In fact, it was like Diamond and I were the only ones there and no one else mattered.

  Theory was that guy; he was handsome, sexy as hell, obviously well respected and paid, so it was to be expected that women wouldn't be pleased with the fact that his attention stayed centered on me, but knowing that didn't make it any less irritating. The eyes and constant whispering was annoying as fuck. I knew right then that being with him wasn’t going to be easy.

  -14-

  Theory

  “I need to get my bag out of Diamond’s car,” Rain said as we made our way through Frank’s house. It was finally quiet since everyone was gone expect the four of us.

  “Let me get your keys.” I turned to Diamond who looked at me strangely, likely because her inebriated state wasn't allowing her to process why I wanted her keys.

  “I’m going to move your car into the driveway and then get Rain’s bag. Don’t worry. I’m not gonna steal your shit,” I said holding my hand out to wait for her keys.

  “You sure you want to stay?” Rain asked her.

  Diamond handed me her keys and laughed. “This is a big ass house Rain. I’m sure I can find a guest room,” Diamond said looking right at Frank.

  Good luck with that shit, I thought as I made my way to the front door. I knew Frank, and his ass wasn’t going for that guest room shit and as tipsy as Diamond was, I had a feeling she wasn’t going to put up much of a fight. That was on them though. I had plans on taking Rain home and getting her naked the second we walked through the door. Shit, that was if we made it that far. I might have her ass naked the second we pulled into the garage. My leather seats were comfortable as hell.

  When I got back from moving Diamond’s car, I tossed Rain’s bag in my truck and joined them in the living room where they were waiting. Diamond and Rain said their goodbyes, while Frank and I dapped each other. Ten minutes later, we were heading to my spot.

  Rain was quiet, just staring out the passenger side window while I focused on the road. It was a comfortable silence because with us, everything just fit. We could communicate without saying a word, like we were just in sync. The fucked up thing was that I was quiet because there was a vehicle that looked like it had been following us since we left Frank's spot.

  This shit right here was the reason why I wanted out. I was tired of looking over my shoulder and constantly having to worry about somebody trying to run up on me. It had been years since we pulled away from Mac’s team and started our own shit, but old beefs die hard. Mac was retired and didn’t really have issues with us, but a few people that came up under him still felt like we shouldn't be as big as we are.

  My feelings about that were be a man about yours and another nigga couldn't affect whether or not you were eating. If we were affecting someone's food supply, then their ass wasn't on their shit. That was on them, not m
e, but niggas seemed to think it was easier to sweat you ‘bout their shortcomings instead of handling their shit.

  I was too old for it and ready to just chill. That was my main reason for wanting out, but now that Rain was back, it further convinced me that it was time to let that shit go.

  “I need to make a quick stop but I need you to stay in the truck no matter what happens.” I glanced in my rearview mirror, so I could see my tail getting closer which made me reach across Rain to open my glove compartment. I didn’t bother having my Glock on me at Frank’s because it was a controlled environment, and his ass had heat in every room in his house, not excluding the bathroom.

  “What’s going on Thee?” Rain asked with concern in her eyes. I had been avoiding this shit and was praying I could get out before she had to see this side of my life, but niggas just wanted to try me.

  “It’s nothing, just stay here. Lock the doors and don’t get out for anything.”

  Rain looked down at my hands as I chambered the first round.

  “Rain, did you hear me?”

  She didn’t speak she just nodded. I leaned in her direction, kissed her lips and then opened my door to get out. Hopefully whoever was following me, didn’t shot my ass and just pull off, but that was a chance I had to take. I wasn’t bringing that shit to Rain, so I moved away from my vehicle and hoped that whoever was following me was man enough to face me.

  The closer I got to the car, I could feel my pulse racing. I didn’t scare easily, so if I was about to die then fuck it. My only concern was that Rain was good. I couldn’t see in the car because they kept their headlights on, likely because they were trying to control my reaction. I was a good ass shot and that was well known, so if I had a visual, I could have easily fired through the windshield and landed one right between the eyes.

  The car door opened and just as I thought, Ross’ bitch ass stepped out. Like me, he had a gun in his hand but his bitch ass made the wrong move by trusting that I was willing to have a conversation. Before he could make a move, I fired and caught his ass in the chest. Ross dropped his gun, while I jogged over to him and kicked it away.