Can't Stand The Rain

  Can’t Stand the Rain: A Complicated Love Story

  By: Latitta Waggoner

  Copyright © 2015 Latitta Waggoner

  Published by Write House Publishing under TIECE Presents

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to the real locals are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents are entirely coincidental.

  Text TIECE to 22828 for Updates, Spoilers, Giveaways, Announcements, & any New Tiece Presents Releases.

  Acknowledgements and Dedications

  I would like to dedicate this novel to all of my angels that have gone before me:

  Anna Ray Franklin

  Darnella Sherman

  Gawana Doyle "Pig"

  Allie Mae (Adams) Harris "Mrs. Brown"

  Quantas Franklin

  Wanda Doyle

  Tomejia Sulcer "Meechie"

  Thomas Mack Walker III "Meatball"

  First and foremost, I must start by thanking GOD- who is the joy and the strenghth of my life!GOD has truly blessed me time and time again and for that I am eternally grateful. I know that without Him, none of this would be possible.

  Ahhhh, I can finally breathe just a little bit now that this novel is finally completed. I started working on this novel April of 2008 and it took seven years and plenty of rewrites and changes to finally make it come to life. I want to thank everyone who has been with me from the beginning. When I first decided to write a book and I let all of my family and friends know, they all were excited and took on the journey with me. They had faith that I would write something worth reading and remained faithful until now. I love you all and I thank you all.

  For my babies: Zakerrian, Javian, and Sania- mommy loves you all dearly! And for all those times I had to kick ya'll out my room so that I can type in peace, one day when you are grown and get to read some of my work you will see that it was all for good reasons!

  For my mother-Terria Waggoner- here is your shout out Big Baby!!! Thank you for always believing in me and for all of your help and support. You are my biggest cheerleader and I love you!

  Shout out to the rest of my family and my favorite cheerleading squad: Billy Lovell Fanklin (Big bayyyyyybeeehh!) you been hanging in there with me as well, Jozette and Dennis Rubin, Myesha Celestine, Gregory Waggoner (My real FAVORITE COUSIN), Johnathon Waggoner Shelton, Kevin Franklin Jr., Kaleb Franklin, Allison Doyle (my other favorite cousin), and Sandra Doyle. I truly appreciate all of your love and support.

  To my special someone, I cannot wait for you to read my first novel and see what your feedback will be. I know you gone have a few crazy things to say. You know I coudn't wait to tell you as soon as I received my cover and release date. You are such a great supporter and I appreciate all of your support.

  Huge shout out to my best friend Karen Owens who, of course, was the first person I let know I wanted to write and also gave me the go ahead to use her life experiences in anything I choose to. Thank you for always listening to my rants and ideas and allowing me to email you certain things to read over.

  Speaking of email, shout out to my email crew: For the ones who I always texted 'Check your email. I want you to read something.' Kayren, Karen, Myesha, Latrise, and Toyice. Thank you for your time, support, and feedback. Love ya'll!

  Kayren Guillory- You are such a special soul and I am extremely blessed to have you in my life. You and your family: Joanna, Danielle, Amy, Kim, and Mama Georgia- my favorite Guillorys! You guys always show much love and support and I will always appreciate that.

  Latrise Lee- Ayyyyyyeeee! Even though you kept me distracted and on the phone with you all night most nights when I should have been typing instead, I appreciate all of your support. I know I got off the phone with you plenty of times too though to stay on track, but you didn't complain...much. You already know your madness and mayhem keeps me inspired as well. (Olive Juice) Love you Judy!

  Toyice Garrett Gardiner- Ahh, man! You have helped me soooo much! I don't think no one has been pestered as much as I pestered you for help with proof-reading and feedback. Thank you so much for keepimg me on task and inspired. You know I am the biggest procrastinator yet. But I have finally completed and accomplished something. Ayye! Check me out!

  Rugena Grant- I know it's been a long wait, but it's finally here. Everytime you asked me, "When you gone finish that book, TiTi?" it inspired me to write a little bit more. Here it is! Finally. Sorry for the wait!

  For my Boss Lady, Tiece Mickens. I promise GOD led me to you and Writehouse Publishing. I literally cried when I read your response email to my manuscript and I knew that it was time for me to take that next step in my future writing career. Thank you for believing in me and going hard for all of us under Tiece Presents. I truly feel like we are more of a family than a company.

  Shout out to Torica Tymes for the encouraging words and advice that you gave from the beginning. It was very helpful.

  Shout out to Marvin Bristol for having a vision and seeing it through, thus creating Writehouse Publishing and all of the beast writers signed with this company. I feel so proud to say that I am apart of WHP and TBRS!

  To all of my sisters and brother under the Tiece Presents umbrella: Johnazia Gray (Lil Sis, you know you keep me turnt and inspired! You are such a great writer with a high and happy spirit. Keep up the good werk. Stay blessed!) Sherene Holly Cain (the Queen of sharing and supporting. Thanks for all that you do!) Author P Dotson, Kellz Kimberly, Kiara Neufville, Mecca Bair (with that FIRE pen game) A Ward, Elle Welch, Sheena Brinkley....You all are some great writers and great people. Can't wait to meet you all in person!

  For our beautiful, amazing editors Ebony Smith and Missy Walker thank you both for all of your hand work! I know I tend to freak out when I get my feedback, but I appreciate your feedback and criticism.

  To all of my family and friends that I ignored during typing times, thanks for not taking it personal.

  I will admit I was a bit surprised at how many people were ready to support me and me and share my post when I first announced my release date and posted my cover. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!!! I can't wait for you all to read my werk and let me know what you think of it and how it made you feel.

  To anyone wanting to achieve a certain goal and fulfill your dreams, my advice to you is to hit the pavement at full speed and don't stop until you've passed the finish line.

  Shout out to everyone who purchased my first poem book...Sharita Henley and Kayren Guillory (who both drove to Orange just to get a copy), Mama Georgia, Joanna Hicks, Melanie Johnson, MoMo (Lillie Green), Veronica Durden, Sabrina Delaffousse, Pamela Thomas, Shana Chambers, Kay Wysong, and Sharon Bell. I know there my be a few I forgetten and left off, sorry! Thank you all. There were not many sold, but I appreciate you all for the few that were.

  One last shout out to my family: My (bloodline) Waggoner/Franklin Family, my Boykin/Green family, my Guillory family, and my Howard (Mama Shirley, Sheanna, Treci, and Bugg) family. Thank you all for all of your love and support.

  Here's a little poem that I wrote when I finally finished writing this book.

  It is finally here,

  It’s finally done.

  Go ahead and get 2 or 3 copies

  if you can’t buy just one

  For relatives and friends

  to read and enjoy.

  A whole new world for even myself to explore.

  With thanks and grace

  and a smile on my face

  I appre
ciate all support

  throughout all these years

  of all this work.

  I finally made it through.

  I finally got it done.

  I hope it brings great entertainment to everyone.

  I loved it in the end

  just as much, if not more than the first date.

  I hope you love it the same

  and I’m sorry for the wait!!!!!!!

  Latitta Waggoner

  Part One

  Prologue

  The Six Pack was gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada for a birthday celebration. The whole crew was downstairs in the casino taking turns being down on their cash. Pit had disappeared a few hours earlier and Kale was starting to wonder where he had gone. When he left he was acting in a way that halfway had her confused and halfway made her worry. Pit was not usually the type to be nervous, but for some reason he was acting as if something made him nervous before he left. Because he had been acting weird and had been gone for so long she was starting to get a bit scared and nervous herself. Kale decided that she should take off to go look for him. She would just die if something was to happen to him and he would just die if he was somewhere being no good, because she would kill him. With that in mind, she really started to worry; she headed toward the elevators to check in the room.

  It wasn’t like Pit to just disappear and not let her know anything. He would have usually called or texted her to let her know something. The palm of her hands started sweating while the rest of her hands began to shake. No matter how hard she tried blocking the thought of infidelity out of her mind, it just kept making its way back in there. Until now she had no reason to question his actions; in the past, he never gave her reasons to. Well, that is, after that one incident that happened with his ex-girlfriend six years ago when they first started dating. But Kale had given her a beat down that caused her to pack up and move away a month later, leaving Pit alone for good. They both never saw or heard from her again. Kale also left Pit alone. For a whole month she wouldn’t talk to him or accept any of his phone calls. She only took him back when she realized she couldn’t be happy without him. He begged and pleaded for her forgiveness the whole time and when she finally felt like his apologies were sincere and that he had suffered enough, her as well, she took him back. The breakup had changed him for the better. His character was better and he never made her doubt or regret her decision after that. She had just reached the elevators and pushed the up button. When she brought her hand back down to her side she felt someone slip their hand into it. Surrendering her battle with her tear ducts, she allowed her tears to flow freely. She didn’t have to turn around to know whose hand it was; she had felt it in hers over a million times. Kale knew that this person knew that something was bothering her and was relieved when she felt their hand.

  “Big sis, can you help me look for Pit?”

  “What’s wrong?!”

  The doors to the elevator opened and they stepped inside. Kale pressed the button to the floor in which their suite was on.

  “He told me that he was leaving to do something, well ‘to take care of some business real quick’ but that was six hours ago.”

  “Six hours!?”

  “Yes and he hasn’t called or texted me, and” Kale said all of this in one breath and started crying harder and uncontrollably.

  Sanayah tried her best to wipe her sister’s tears away.

  “Slow down sis. Six hours is a long time, but Pit hasn’t been acting in a way to make him seem guilty of something has he? You never know he might be setting up another surprise for us. Today is our birthday Kale, your birthday. You think he is so cold-hearted as to ruin this day for you, especially after putting all of this together?”

  “No, but-"

  Just then the elevator dinged and stopped. As soon as the door opened they ran into the room and searched its entirety. No Pit in sight. They both headed out and started to search the halls. Kale’s mind then switched over to fear thinking that Pit might be hurt or worse.

  They got to the 15th floor when Sanayah asked, “Have you tried calling him?”

  “The last time I spoke with him he rushed me off of the phone. That was three hours ago and when I tried calling every time after that it would go straight to voicemail.”

  “His phone must have went dead. Don’t worry sis, everything should be fine.”

  Kale stopped in her tracks which caused Sanayah to also stop.

  Sanayah searched Kale’s face and asked, “What is it?”

  Kale spoke softly, “It’s just this feeling that I have that something is about to go wrong, I’ve been having it since last night.”

  Sanayah dropped her front and said, “Same thing here, that’s how I knew you were worried.”

  “All I could think of was you and my little niece or nephew up until a few hours ago, now it’s making me think of Pit. San, I sure could not handle a repeat of what happened six years ago. You know I’ve been so happy for so long; things were even starting to get better and I didn’t think better was possible.”

  Just then Kale heard voices and footsteps coming toward her from the door that she and Sanayah were standing in front of.

  “Shhh, listen.” Kale whispered.

  When Sanayah also heard it, they ran and hid around the corner in the hallway where the ice machine was located. Luckily, it was just a few steps away. The door of the room opened and the voices became louder and clearer. The voices were quite familiar to both Kale and Sanayah and when they stepped from their hiding spots they couldn’t believe their eyes. In front of them were two familiar male bodies hugging and kissing each other goodbye in the hallway.

  Chapter 1

  Two Months Earlier…

  “Why are you still going to that fucking place?!” Pit yelled at Kale.

  He was confused and fed up.“What’d you mean why? It’s my job. It’s what I do. I have to go. I need the money.”

  Kale was upset. Even though she was tired of stripping and ready to give it up for good, she did not want to fully give up her only source of income and totally commit to depending on a man. Even though this was not just any ole man, but instead the love of her life, she was still very skeptical. The fact that he could not understand this had her pissed off and irate.

  “No, you don’t have to go. And money is one thing that you don’t need.”

  “Really? And how the fuck do you know what I need and don’t need?”

  “Because I’m your fucking man, that’s how I know! I know you. You will be sitting on a mil and still cry broke. How much money do you fucking need??? Because I am sitting on several mils and you already know what I have, you have!”

  “That’s the point! I don’t want your money. I can make my own.”

  “Yeah, but it’s how you make it that’s the problem. Now, I ain’t trying to knock your hustle or nothing, but there is more than one way to make money. I understand you have to get it how you can, but it’s time for this shit to stop. You done got caught up and fell too deep in this bullshit and I really believe that you are enjoying more than just the business of it all.”

  “And what the fuck that’s supposed to mean?”

  “Just what it means. I don’t have time for sugarcoating. We both grown, and I’ve been in these streets a whole lot longer than you. I know how to read people and their actions. And the way you been acting lately got a nigga ready to move around.”

  “Fuck you mean you ready to move around? Is that what this is about? You tired of this relationship and trying to find a way out? After I held you down all these years you trynna run out on me? I bet this has nothing to do with me dancing, huh? You done found another bitch haven’t you? You can try and leave me for another bitch if you want to and I will kill you and that bitch!”

  “I ain’t fucking nobody else. That is not what this about. You know that, so don’t even try and flip this shit on me.”

  “Well, what the hell is it about? Because if I find out you messing around on me a
gain, I promise, I will break you and that bitch's neck. You saying that you want me to give up dancing, but that’s all that I have. You claim that you will take care of me, but I cannot be sure of that. In an instant, the feds can run up in here and take you away from me again. When they take everything you have, including all your millions, what will I do then? Or what if you decide to leave me for another, am I supposed to just be left here looking dumb and stupid all because I trusted my man to take care of me and he failed me?”

  “Is that what you are worried about? Is that the reason why you won’t give up dancing? You think I will leave you and you will have to take care of yourself?”

  “Well, it’s not like it’s not possible.”

  “Kale, what’s the point of being with me if you cannot trust me to take care of you? I wouldn’t be a man if I wasn’t able to take care of my woman. Whether in or out of prison, haven’t I always been able to take care of you?”

  “Financially speaking, yes.”

  “Of course, we speaking finances. That’s the reason why you continue to do what you do right, for financial gain? Is there any other reason why you would want to stay?”

  “No.”

  Truth of the matter is Kale is getting tired of the fast living. She has been ready to give up stripping for the longest now. Her mission to give it up has been in the making for a while now. David Harris, known in the streets as Pit, was her man. He was also a business man and all about making money, so he never tried to knock her hustle. But he was a man and no real man wanted to have their woman working the streets for long, if at all. Kale considered herself to be a ride or die for her man. She wanted to make him happy. She would do and give anything to please him. It took a lot out of her when he left her and went to prison for those three years. True, he had his homeboys take care of her financially, but she never felt comfortable around them. His main man, Butter, would never make a pass at her, but he would always give her looks that would let her know that if Pit was not his main man, he would definitely make a move.