“How many times do I have to tell you that it’s so much more than that?” I spoke up. “This is what I love, Myra. Why can’t you see that dancing makes me happy? Why are you always judging me instead of listening to what I have to say?”
“Because all you want to do is waste your life chasing some dream-”
“Just because I don’t want to live a life like you doesn’t make my dreams any less important!” I yelled, cutting her off. My voice was shaky, and I hated that, but I kept going. “Why the fuck would I want to work at some stuffy ass office job and marry a man I don’t love just for the sake of being married?That sounds fucking miserable, and I refuse to settle for that just because you chose to!”
The room went so still that I thought time had stopped. She stared at me as her eyes glossed over, and I suddenly regretted opening my mouth. I’d never seen my sister get emotional or even teary-eyed before, so I was anxious as hell. I didn’t want her to hate me, so I quickly apologized, but she waved me off. She dried her eyes, and the intense, judging look was back once again.
“For your information, you selfish brat, I love my life,” she said through gritted teeth. “It's practical and predictable, and I know that my children and I will always be well taken care of. I love my husband just as much as he loves me, flaws and all. He’s a damn good man and father! So, excuse me for wanting the same for you. I’ve been worried about you since you came into this world because your head has always been so up in the clouds, thanks to Mama. Raine, I love you, but if you want to screw up your life, be my guest, because I’m tired of stressing over you.”
“Myra, I appreciate you, but I am an adult,” I replied calmly. “You have been treating me like a child, like your child, since I was 14. Not to mention the fact that you were only ever around occasionally before then.” She didn’t say anything as she averted my eyes. “When I needed you to be a big sister, you were never there, yet you just popped back into my life once I became a teen, trying to dictate my every move. Well, I’m not that kid anymore, and as you said, I am 29 years old. I’m old enough to know how not to screw up my life without you standing over my shoulder with a disapproving scowl every step of the way.”
“You know what? You’re right,” she said, grabbing her purse from the coffee table. She walked toward the front door, and I got up to follow behind her. Before she exited, she turnedback to say one last thing. “I’m sorry for overstepping, but I’m genuinely only looking out for you, Raine. I don’t want you to get hurt because you realize down the line that your dreams should sometimes stay just that.”
And with that, she exited the house, and I was left standing there, more dumbfounded than ever. I hadn’t expected her to apologize, so I was caught off guard. I haven’t talked to her since, so I still wasn’t sure what to make of it all. I could feel in my heart that there was some deeper reason why she treated me the way she did, but that was for future me to figure out.
I sighed, shaking the memory from my head as I continued to get dressed for the day. I was heading down to the community center to volunteer for the back-to-school fundraiser concert. I still wasn’t sure who would be the headliner performer, but I knew for a fact that they had to be a big name, since they were pulling out all the stops for the stage setup. I’d seen it yesterday when I stopped by, and it was beautiful.
“You ready to head out, bestie?” Ginger called from down the hall.
“Yeah, just let me put on some shoes,” I called back before slipping into some comfy non-slip shoes.
I would be working backstage during the concert as a runner. It wouldn’t be my first time, but something about this time felt different. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I had a feeling that today was going to be a good day.
It only took us about 10 minutes to arrive at the center, and we were instantly put to work. Ginger assisted with the wardrobe as I went from room to room to check on the performers. After delivering snacks, water, and even some painkillers, it was about time for the opening act to go on. I was bummed that I would miss the performance because I had one more artist to tend to, but it would be recorded, so I could always rewatch it.
As I made it to the last dressing room, the air seemed to shift. Outside the door were two muscular men dressed in black, whom I assumed were the bodyguards. That was when I realized that this must have been where the headlining artist was. Their identity was kept a secret until it was their time to go on stage, so I felt privileged to be the only one who knew who they were beforehand.
“Hold it,” one of the men said as I approached. He looked down at me. “What can I help you with?”
“Oh, uh,” I say, holding up my badge. “I’m the designated runner for the artists, and I’m just coming to see if they need anything.”
“Name,” the man asked.
“Raine Williams.”
They shared a look, and I could see their eyebrows lift in what seemed to be recognition. Before I could ask them about it, they smiled at me and motioned for me to go in. I was so confused as I thanked them and entered the dressing room. What was that all about?
As I crossed the threshold, I was hit by the glorious smell of something sweet. I looked around and noticed a candle burning. Curiosity got the better of me, and I shuffled over to see if I could find the name of the scent. It smelled like fresh peaches and honey. I needed something like this for my room.
“Uh, may I help you?”
I jumped, startled as I quickly turned around, only to freeze in place as my eyes took in the gorgeous woman that was Dawn Anderson. She was wearing nothing but a sports bra and jean shorts as she worked on tying her mass of curls into a bun. My eyes traveled along her muscular arms and toned body. Her thighs were thick as if she’d spent most of her life playing volleyball or some other sport that required thighs so thick thatthey were mouthwatering. Everything about her was beautiful, and I was mesmerized.
How could someone be this hot?
“Eyes up here, Raine.”
I almost jumped out of my skin at the sound of her saying my name. Her voice was so velvety, yet sweet, that it made my fingers tingle. She stared at me with a smug expression as I mentally kicked myself for ogling her like this. How unprofessional of me.
“Oh, uh, I-I’m sorry,” I quickly reply, backing into the table. It shook, and a few water bottles fell over, but I couldn’t worry about that right now. “I didn’t mean to stare.”
“I don’t mind,” she chuckled as she stepped closer towards me. She leaned into my space and placed her hands on either side of me on the table. Her lips were so close to mine that I feared they’d actually touch if I said anything. She must’ve thought the same because she smiled deviously before moving to the side to blow out the candle. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest as she took a step back. “You must really like me since you danced to my song.”
“H-Huh?” I managed to say, slowly getting drawn in by her deep brown eyes. I gasped as something clicked. “Wait, uh, did you stop by the community center last week?”
“And become completely mesmerized by the way you moved?” She smirked. “Yes, yes, I did. You’re very talented, by the way.”
“Thank you,” I squeaked out.
