Page 53 of Unraveling Rain
“Firecracker, huh? I like that.”
We share a look—unspoken, open, tender—before I turn on the oven and start pulling out ingredients.
“Here’s the melted butter,” Xander says, as he starts pulling a Pyrex measuring cup from the microwave.
The crusts are in the oven, and Xander is helping me make the filling for the peach, fruit-of-the-forest, and cherry pies. We’re making two of each—one for the feast, and one in case neighbors drop by.
I’m measuring out the fruit in each pie when I hear a sharp curse.
“Fuck!” Xander yells.
I whip around just in time to see the glass bowl cup slip from his hands.
“No, no, no—” I try to move, maybe stop it with my foot, but it’s too late. The glass hits the floor with a loud crack, splattering melted butter all over the floor and shattering into pieces.
Xander’s eyes are wild. He’s already pivoting to fix it.
“Shit. Sorry, Cherry. I’ll clean it in a jiffy.”
“Xander, no!” I throw out my hand to stop him, but it happens fast. He slips on the melted butter, arms flailing.
“Wait—”
Thud.
He lands hard, his head hitting the tile with a sickening thump.
“Fuck.” I’m at his side in seconds. “Don’t move,” I tell him, my voice sharper than I mean it to be. My fingers fumble for my phone in my back pocket.
“Rain, I’m fine,” he tries, already pushing up from the floor.
“Stay down, Xander.” I give him a glare that could stop time. He blinks but listens.
I hit Ruin’s name on speed dial. She answers after two rings.
“Hey, Raindrop—”
“Ruin, I need you to text me Dr. Gutierrez’s number. Xander fell—hard.”
There’s a pause. I hear background music and voices.
“Is he okay? I mean, is he conscious?” she asks, voice immediately serious.
I glance behind me. Xander’s lying on his back, hair slicked with butter, wearing a sheepish smile.
“Yes, he’s breathing and rolling his eyes at me.”
“Ruin, I’m fine,” he calls out loud enough for her to hear. “Rain is the one who’s freaking out.”
Ruin chuckles.“ I just texted Manny. He’s on his way.”
I exhale, the tightness in my throat easing slightly, though my eyes sting.
“He’s going to be okay, Raindrop. Just hang tight.”
“Okay.” I disconnect and toss my phone on the counter, grabbing every kitchen towel I can find. I kneel beside Xander, carefully picking up shards of glass, making sure none of them are near him.
“Hey, Cherry. Look at me.” His voice is soft.
