I’d texted her before leaving the bar to let her know that Raine wasn’t doing too well. She rushed over to the car and helped me get her out. I scooped her up bridal style and carried her into the house as Ginger closed the door behind us. She moaned when I placed her on the bed, tears rolling down her cheek silently as she blinked to take in the room around her.
“What happened, Dawn?” Ginger asked as she sat down on the edge of the bed. Raine rested her head in her lap, eyes still closed. “She never gets this wasted unless…”
“Yeah,” I nod, knowing what she wanted to say without her even saying it. She knew that only her sister could make her want to drown away her feelings like this.
“Right,” she shakes her head. “Well, do you mind helping me get her settled for bed, and then…can we talk?”
I agree, and we get to work making sure that Raine is comfortable. As Ginger found her some clothes, I helped her shower, brush her teeth, and remove her makeup. She was starting to sober up by the time we were done, and mumbled a few thanks here and there, but I could tell that as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was going to be down for the count.
And I was right.
After she had dozed off, I exited the room and walked over to the living room, where Ginger was waiting. I was hesitant to tell her all that happened at first, but I knew that if anyone cared about Raine even more than I did, it was her. So, I ran through the events of earlier tonight, and with every detail, I could see the anger in her body rising. By the time I was finished recounting everything, she’d lit a blunt and was taking a puff to help her nerves. She passed it to me, and I took a hit as well, letting the smoke fill me before blowing it into the air.
“I hate her sister so damn much,” she stated. “Always have. She wasn’t around much when we were younger, but when she was, she was always a bitch who thought her word was law, andanyone who went against it was the enemy. Even so, Raine used to look up to her so much when we were younger. I never got the appeal, but then again, I’m an only child, so maybe that was it.”
“Yeah, I’m seeing that,” I sigh. “I hate how Raine’s day is instantly ruined whenever she talks to her sister. She’s a mood killer, and I don’t appreciate the way she always treats Raine like she’s some puppy that needs to be trained. It’s fucking annoying.”
“Tell me about it,” she scoffs. “Raine is a sweetheart, but I feel like one day she’s gonna snap and really let Myra have it, and you know what? I hope I’m there to witness it. She needs to be put in her place.”
“True,” I nod. Silence envelopes the room before I speak again. “I know that Raine said not to worry, but I want to help keep her mom in the home that she’s in. Do you know who I can contact about that?”
“Don’t even worry,” she waves me off. “I plan on getting my parents to buy it soon, and then she’d never have to pay another fee a day in her life.”
“Damn, you got it like that, huh?” I joke, glancing over at her. She smirked, brushing her shoulders off. “You’re a great friend, Ginger.”
“Eh, what’s the point of being wealthy as fuck if I don’t spend the money every once in a while?” she replies. She sits, and a serious expression graces her face. “Dawn, Raine means the world to me. She’s not only my best friend but my sister. I don’t have any blood siblings, but she and I have been thick as thieves since we were in kindergarten. I’d do anything to make sure she’s alright because it’s what she deserves…so, thank you.”
“Wait, for what?”
“For giving her the love that she deserves. For accepting her as she is and uplifting her at every turn. I know y’all haven’t been dating for that long, but I truly believe that the two of you aresoulmates.” She places the blunt in a nearby ashtray and takes my hands in hers. “Promise me that you’ll always protect her, care for her, and show her that she deserves all things good in life for as long as you can. Promise me that if you two do go your separate ways, that you’ll be honest and clear about it. Promise me that you won't lead her on or mistreat her. Please, Dawn.”
“I promise,” I assure her with a smile. “Raine means the world to me, and she’s who I plan on marrying one day. I promise to be all she needs and more; you have my word.”
“And Imma hold you to it,” she giggles, letting my hands go. “I still can’t believe that Dawn freakin’ Anderson is dating my best friend. Excuse my excitement, but it’s just so damn amazing!”
“You stay boosting my head up, Ginger,” I chuckle. “I’m not anybody special.”
“Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
I roll myself playfully as we chill for a while longer until the blunt is gone. She tells me that I’m more than welcome to stay over, and I thank her before heading back to Raine’s room. After a quick shower, I dressed in one of the oversized shirts I found in her dresser before sliding into bed with her. She instantly snuggled up in my arms, and I kissed her forehead. Within minutes, I could feel my eyelids getting heavy, and soon, I was drifting off to sleep, thinking about the day when she and I would be sleeping like this in a king-sized bed in a house we both shared.
CHAPTER 11
Addicted to Your Siren Song.
Raine Williams - October 20th, 2025
Two weeks of touring down and three to go!
It still felt so surreal that I was living out my dream like this. Every other day was another sold-out show in front of thousands of fans who had come to see Dawn perform a setlist of her newest songs mixed with a bunch of fan favorites. It was tiring to have to perform so many dances back to back, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it.
Being on stage made me feel alive. When I was in the zone, I was transported to another realm where the only thing that mattered was how the music made me feel as it coursed through my body and down to my feet. I knew from that first tour stop that this was what I was meant to do. This was my calling, and I thanked all the stars above that my mom had put me in dance classes all those years ago, which had fostered my love for the craft.
I sigh as I stare up at the ceiling, thinking about my mom. She was still at her retirement home thanks to Ginger swooping in and investing in the place, practically guaranteeing her a room there for the rest of her life, and I was grateful. She’d also offered to bring her to stay with us and hire a caretaker for her,but I couldn’t let her do that, especially because I wouldn’t be home for the next month. I mean, I knew Ginger wouldn’t mind having her there, but at the end of the day, she was my mom and my responsibility.
Speaking of which, when word got back to Myra about how she’d be able to stay in the retirement home, she called me so many times, but I was on stage by then, so I didn’t see her message until later on. I’d groaned at the ten missed calls and dreaded contacting her until a few days ago, when I decided that I might as well get it over with.
I had just gotten back to my hotel room and was about to get dressed to chill with Dawn and a few of her friends when she called once more. I knew I should’ve just let it go to voicemail, but I didn’t.
