I didn’t know how or why, but when Rain needed help, God gave me a gun with a single bullet, a dirt bike, and a clear highway all the way to Franklin Springs. Out of all the sad sacks of shit he could have chosen for the job, he picked me, and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful.
I just wish that fucker would have let me have more time with her. But, he’s never given a shit about what I wanted before. Why start now?
When I first hear the rumble in the distance, I slow our kiss, pulling her soft body to me even tighter. I memorize every curve, every sigh, and I smile.
“I found a stash of cash in a tackle box in your parents’ closet,” I murmur against her lips. “It should be enough to keep the lights and water on until you can find a job.”
“Wes?”
“And there’s extra ammo in your dad’s sock drawer.” Holding her up with one arm, I snake a hand between us and pull the revolver out of my holster. “Keep this on you at all times. Sleep with it under your pillow, okay?”
I tuck the muzzle into the back of her jeans and pull her tank top down over it.
“Wes, you’re scaring me.”
The bump and crunch of tires over gravel signal that our time is up. Two car doors slam, followed by a third.
Rain’s bright blue eyes go wide, and I hate the panic I see in them.
“Hey.” I grab her face like I did during the execution today, forcing her to look at me. “It’s okay. You’re gonna be okay.”
“What’s gonna be okay? What’s happening, Wes?” Rain’s shrill voice is drowned out by an authoritative bang, bang, bang on the door.
“Georgia State PD. Open up!”
Rain shrieks and covers her mouth with her hands.
“We have the premises surrounded! Open up!”
“Oh my God, Wes! I have to hide!” she whispers under the sound of more pounding, her eyes darting all over the room.
“No, baby,” I shush her, grabbing her face again. “They’re not here for you. You did nothing wrong. Just promise me you won’t go back to Bitchass Park, okay?” I give her a phony smile. “Stay here. You’re safe here.”
“What’s happening, Wes?”
The banging intensifies to the point that I’m afraid they’re going to break Rain’s new goddamn door down.
“It’s open!” I yell, holding her stare as long as I can.
The door flies open behind her, and in walks a brick shithouse of a cop, followed by the bitch who called them.
“That’s him,” she declares, pointing a righteous finger in my direction. “That’s the man who procured the antibiotics.”
Rain spins around at the sound of her voice, shock and betrayal twisting her beautiful features. “Mrs. Renshaw! What are you doing?”
Rain turns to the officer and spreads her arms wide, as if she can single-handedly protect me from the law. “It was me!” she shrieks. “Take me! I gave him the antibiotics! Not Wes!”
The cop flashes Carter’s mother a questioning look as I walk around Rain’s outstretched arms and kneel before her. Her teary eyes drop to mine, and her fingers thread into my hair as she shakes her head from side to side.
“No …”
“It was me. I saved Quinton Jones’s life.” My words are directed at the cop, but my eyes are holding Rain’s heartbroken stare. “And even if it wasn’t, you can’t execute her …”
I press a kiss to Rain’s belly and smile, knowing that a part of me will live on with her forever.
“She’s pregnant.”
Wes and Rain’s story continues in Dying for Rain, available here.
Playlist
This playlist is a collection of songs that I either mentioned in Fighting for Rain or that I felt illustrated a feeling or a scene from the book. I am grateful to each and every one of the brilliant artists listed below. Their creativity fuels mine.
You can stream the playlist for free on Spotify here.
“A Little Death” by The Neighbourhood
“Alligator” by Of Monsters and Men
“Alive with the Glory of Love” by Say Anything
“Alone Together” by Fall Out Boy
“Baby Girl, I’m a Blur” by Say Anything
“Back to Your Love” by Night Riots
“coachella” by lovelytheband
“Dream” by Bishop Briggs
“Everyone Requires a Plan” by The Lumineers
“Explode” by Patrick Stump
“Flawless” by The Neighbourhood
“Green Eyes” by Coldplay
“It’s a Process” by Say Anything
“Let the Flames Begin” by Paramore
“Mean” by Taylor Swift
“Nervous” by K.Flay
“Numb Without You” by The Maine
“Rainy Girl” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
“Simple Song” by The Shins
“The Archer” by Taylor Swift
“The Only Exception” by Paramore
“watch” by Billie Eilish
“When It Rains” by