All I can do is laugh as we make the short trek back to where we parked a few blocks over. The ride back to my house was enjoyable, and we spent the entire time playing a silly game of Would You Rather. By the time we pulled into the driveway, I was feeling the night start to get to me and let out a small yawn. She teased me about not being able to stay up past ten as she walked me to the door, but it was all good fun.
“Before you go in, I have something for you,” she says once we make it to the door.
I nod, watching as she pulls something from her pocket. She tells me to hold out my hand, and when I do, she places a small plastic heart-shaped stone in it. I admired the pastel colors for a bit before looking back up at her.
“Thank you, but…what is it?”
“Devin calls them Pocket Hugs,” she informs me, and my eyebrows furrow in confusion. “They love crafting and cute things, so they’re always making these little knick-knacks and trinkets. This one is supposed to be a small token given to those you care about, so whenever they’re feeling down, they can pull it out, give it a small rub, and then know that there’s someone out there rooting for them.”
My voice caught in my throat as I blinked back tears. “Y-You’re giving it to me?” I ask, barely above a whisper. She nods. “Why?”
“Because you mean a lot to me, and I want you to always have something that reminds you that you’ll always have me in your corner. Even when times get tough and stressful,” she replies with a smile. “Devin always gives me extras when they make them, hoping that I’ll one day have someone to share them with, so I think they’ll be happy to know that I finally do.”
“Have I ever told you how sweet you are?” I chuckled, and she nodded before pulling me in for a hug.
“Yeah, but even if you didn’t, I know where your heart is, mama.”
I chuckled, and we exchanged kisses once more as a calmness settled around us. I wasn’t sure what I’d done in my past life to meet someone as amazing as her, but I knew from then on that I was going to enjoy being with her for as long as I could.
CHAPTER 8
The Dance Studio’s Secret.
Raine Williams - September 12th, 2025
“Okay, that’s it!” I cheer as the dancers dance through the routine once more. “Bring it home, y’all! Dah-dah dah-dah-dahhh! Yesss!”
I clap my hands in excitement as they hit the last pose. The choreography was coming together amazingly, and we were looking like a dance group that’d been together for years. I was grateful to work with such amazing dancers and told them so every time we practiced together. This tour was gonna be exceptional, if I do say so myself.
“Okay, everybody, let’s take a quick break,” I say as I turn off the music. I smile at the room of dancers. “Everything is coming along so beautifully, and I just want to thank y’all for trusting me to lead. It means more than I can find words to describe. I know I may not have as many years in the industry as the rest of y’all, but I promise always to give y’all better than my best.”
“Aye, Raine, you gotta give yourself more credit than that,” one of the dancers, Justine, chuckles. A few others nod. “You were picked because you’re talented as hell, and it shows in the way you guide us. Anyone could see how much you love what youdo, and I think I speak for us all when I say that we couldn’t have asked for a better leader.”
A wave of applause ripples through the room, and I thank them softly as my cheeks warm. As I looked around at all of the smiling faces, I did my best to ignore the annoyed look on Trelyn’s face. She wasn’t about to ruin my good mood, and I wasn’t gonna let her think she had.
“Okay, y’all, let’s meet back in ten and then we can do one last run through of the fifth song before we go home,” I say, and they agree before dispersing.
As the room emptied, I felt my nerves slowly calm. I busied myself with restocking the mini fridge with water as a chill ran down my spine. Turning to look behind me, I was shocked to see Trelyn still in the room. Well, I shouldn’t say shocked, because of course, she’d stay behind to try to rile me up.
Just don’t let her see you sweat, Raine.
“Yes?” I ask, turning back to finish the task at hand. “Can I help you?”
“It must feel nice to have a group of second-rate dancers to stroke your ego, huh?” She chuckles, and I sigh deeply before standing. I turn to face her, and she’s wearing a smug look on her face. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
“First of all, if anyone is a second-rate dancer, it’syou, not them,” I defend. “None of them cheated to get here, unlike you.”
“Well, I should say the same about you, right?” She questions, her head cocked to the side. “You didn’t audition for this role and were only given it because Dawn wants to go down on you. If it weren’t for that simple fact, you wouldn’t even be in this position.”
“Fuck you, Trelyn,” I scoff. “I got this job because she saw the potential andtalentI possessed, and I refuse to let you stand there and gaslight me into thinking otherwise.” I roll my eyes, about to turn away, but I stop and look her in the eyes oncemore. I smirk. “Oh yeah, and if the woman I’mdatingwants to go down on me, she can. Just know that the feeling is always mutual.”
“Hm,” she shrugs. “I mean, it’s not like it’s much anyway, if I remember correctly.”
“Yet you kept coming back for more despite how you felt about me.”
“That says more about you as a person than it does me,” she smirked.
“Does it, though?” I ask. “I actually liked you back then. I didn’t sleep with you because I was desperate to have you, and you know it!” I was fuming. “You played with my heart and in my face, so don’t stand there and try to make me out to be someone I wasn’t just to make yourself feel better! You know what, get out.”
