Page 63 of Downpour

I hurried over as he tucked his hands beneath his knees and lifted his legs out of the foot rests. When he was confident in his footing, he reached out for me. I held my arms steady as he pushed out of his chair and grabbed on to me.

The second Ray was sure he could balance his weight, his arms were around me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around his waist, my head resting against his chest.

Ray cradled my head beneath his chin. He was taller than me, but not by much. It felt like we fit together like long-lost puzzle pieces. Maybe I dreamt it, but I could have swore he kissed my head.

Or maybe I simply wished it to be true.

“You smell really good,” I murmured.

Ray laughed softly and motioned toward the picnic blanket. “I brought food down.”

“Do you want me to walk with you?” I asked, hoping he would allow me to help him.

But Ray just shook his head and lowered back into his chair. “There’s nothing to hold on to if I slip. I don’t want to hurt you.”

When he was settled, I slid my hand in his and squeezed. “Thank you. I mean it. That…” I looked at the swing again. “That was beyond thoughtful.”

I settled on the blanket as he wheeled over and eased down. Ray pushed himself back until he could sit up against the trunk of the tree.

I opened the basket sitting between us. “What do we have here?”

“Frozen PB&Js,” he replied with a chuckle. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

“I’m trusting you, Griffith. What else is in here?” I pawed around and found a plastic container of cookies. Steam clouded the sides and they were still warm. “You bake?”

“Don’t get your hopes up. It’s cookie dough from a tube. I just know how to follow directions and use an oven.”

A few pieces of fruit and a bag of chips had been tossed in for good measure. At the bottom, there was a bag of Sweet Tarts, specifically the pink and blue ones.

The thoughtfulness and simplicity of it all made my heart ache. Nostalgia was a slow-acting drug that had me tumbling further and further down the rabbit hole.

We ate in a comfortable silence. I had to admit, the frozen peanut butter sandwiches in the Texas heat were perfect.

“I’m glad I came back,” I said as I leaned against the tree trunk and watched the sun set. “I felt bad about texting you to ask.”

Ray looked down at me. His dark eyes mirrored the obsidian pond. “I’m glad you came back too.” Our hands brushed, and he turned away with a deep exhale. “What’s home like for you?”

I wavered about how much to share. Besides, it didn’t really matter anymore. I stayed here most of the time. “I live about forty minutes away. I share a house with a bunch of roommates. It’s… always lively. It feels like a college dorm, I guess. There’s always someone around.”

Ray licked his lips. “Does, uh… Does your boyfriend live with you?”

I laughed. “I haven’t had a boyfriend in a dreadfully long time. My vibrator gets a seriously intense workout.”

Ray chuckled. “I’ll take a wild guess and say it’s probably been longer since I’ve been with someone than you have.”

Our laughter faded along with any lingering tension. This felt comfortable. Familiar. Easy.

“I don’t like living at the house,” I admitted under the sanctity of the night sky.

“Why’s that?”

I sighed. “It was the only place I could afford. My roommates are really inconsiderate. They’re always loud and throwing parties. I think they eat my food. One of them got arrested for possession a few days ago, and it was really tense when I came back Friday night. I always lock the door to my room, but it was unlocked when I got there. I just… I never feel safe. Not like I do when I’m here. I can actually sleep when I’m here.”

Ray wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I curled into his side. “Then don’t leave.”

I sighed and rubbed my temple. “I just need to figure something out. I can’t stay forever. What would I even do?”

---