AllFreeNovel
Share Us
@RayneMarshall: “Is it cliché of me to love rain?”
Rayne
“Hey, Ray!” Tucker yells outside my room. I open the door and he pulls me into the bathroom, turning on the shower.
He then pulls out a thick folder. “Here,” he says.
I can’t see his stare as I look down at the folder.“Is this…” I am unable to finish the sentence.
“Yeah, I got it this morning. Came as soon as I could sneak it over. Weird thing was, my guy said this was a onetime thing. For you, specifically. He said, ‘don’t lose them.’ Strange, huh?”
I nod, gripping the folder harder. This is it. One look and I’d know where I came from.
“Thank you, Tuck,” I whisper, my lip trembling.
“You want me to stay?”I shake my head.
He kisses my forehead before leaving.
I stare at the folder, willing myself to open it.
The thing is, now that I have it, I can’t do it. I’m not ready. Not sure I’ll ever be.
It is still raw. And I believe being abandoned will always feel this way.
Unloved.
Unwanted.
Not good enough.
I stick the folder in the cabinet, behind the water drains. Closing the cabinet, I take a long breath.
Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow, I will put my big girl panties on—that’s what Momma Silver used to say—and conquer this threatening folder. Overcome these worthless feelings.
I walk out as my crew marches in.
To get me ready to go paintballing.
* * *
Branson straightens my protective vest that lays over my black, tight, long-sleeved shirt with matching black pants.
He chuckles when he pulls on a box braid. “Cute.”
I show him my teeth, going for an intimidating look. “You’ll think it’s cute when I shoot you.” He laughs, grabbing me by my waist.
“You couldn’t shoot me if you were a trained professional. I’m the best, Darling.” He speaks against my lips and I roll my eyes, pushing on his chest.
“All right, team captains are,” Justin squints at the paper in his hands, “Branson and Tucker.” Branson winks at me before walking up next to Justin and Tucker.
Justin brings out a coin. “Call it.”
The coin flips up in the air. “Heads,” Branson says as Tucker flashes him a middle finger.
The coin lands on the ground and all three boys look at it.
