by Tl Reeve
Rai blinked. “Serious?”
“Yeah, why not?” Dexter Shrugged. “I’m sure they’d want to see you, plus, I bet my mom is going to spoil the hell out of you.”
“Su-sure, yeah. I’d like that.” Rai grinned. “But you stink.”
Dexter laughed. “That’s what happens when you’re a volunteer firefighter. Give me about thirty to get cleaned up and we’ll head out.”
“Can we grab breakfast on the way?” Rai asked.
“Definitely,” Dexter answered.
“Awesome,” Rai replied. “I’ll be ready to go in thirty minutes too.”
Dexter left his son’s room and entered his own. The bed had been made and a part of him wished Brittney had left it a rumpled mess. He crossed to his closet first and grabbed a set of clothes then went to take a shower. He still had to process what happened the night before, but for now, he set it aside. No matter what else happened, he was spending the day with his son, and he couldn’t fuck that up.
Chapter 9
They pulled up to his parents' house a little after ten in the morning. Jackie had already called him to let him know she was back in town for a few days before she'd be leaving again. Marcus, on the other hand, hadn't been heard from since their dinner when Dexter told them about Rai.
“Did you grow up here?” Rai pointed at the house.
Dexter shook his head. The rambling-style house had been built about twenty years before his parents moved in but was also recently renovated. His childhood home, unfortunately, had been underwater due to the flooding in Huston during Hurricane Harvey. “No, this is my parents' new home.”
“Oh. So, where did you—they live before?” Rai had a tight grip on his backpack as he continued to stare out at his parents' house.
“Huston,” Dexter answered. “My childhood home was destroyed after Harvey.”
Rai nodded. “I saw that on the news.” He popped open the door and got out. “Anything I should know before going inside with you?”
Dexter exited his truck and came up beside Rai. “Don’t let them see your fear.”
Rai stared up at him with a what-the-fuck expression then smiled as if it dawned on him Dexter was just messing around. “Funny. What are they like?”
“You’ll have to meet them to figure it out.” Dexter wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulders and headed for the door. “But, you’ll like them.”
At the same time they stepped up to the door, it opened, and Jackie came bounding out of the house, her arms spread wide with the biggest grin on her face. Rai took a step back before he was engulfed in her hug. Though she might bluster and curse up a blue streak when she talked about Rai, he knew she'd instantly fall in love with the boy the minute she met him. She pulled back from him holding his arms as she looked at him. The boy was at least six-foot tall and was filling out like Dexter did.
“Look at you!” she exclaimed, before touching Rai’s hair. “Look at your hair.”
Dexter laughed. “Rai, this is your Aunt Jackie.”
Jackie hugged him again. “You’re so pretty. You must have gotten your mom’s genes.”
Dexter’s mom appeared at the door next. The minute she spotted Rai, her eyes welled up and she bit her bottom lip. She pushed Jackie out of the way and wrapped her arms around his son and squeezed him tight. Yep, he was claimed now and nothing Dexter or Brittney said or did would change that fact.
“Rai, this is your grandmother, Cecilia.”
Dexter's mother ushered the boy into the house then called out for his father. “Joseph, come meet Rai.” Instead of taking him to the living room, she brought him straight into the kitchen and plopped him down at the small kitchen table. “You must be hungry from your drive.” She began pulling everything she'd need to make a sandwich from the fridge.
Rai looked at Dexter for help and he bit back a laugh. “Mom, we ate an hour ago.”
She stood up straight. “Then I’ll make him some cookies.” She returned the fixings for lunch back into the fridge in exchange for the butter. “Do you like chocolate chip cookies?”
“Y-yes, ma’am,” Rai answered, a bit taken aback.
“Joseph, I said Rai is here,” Cecilia hollered. “Get your lazy butt up out of your chair and come meet the boy.”
Dexter’s father stomped down the hall muttering to himself as he entered the kitchen. “Well, where is he?”
Dexter moved to the side. “Right here.”
Rai raised his hand. “Hi.”
“So, this is him.” Joseph Walsh strode over to where Rai sat. “Looks like his mother. Has your build though. Tell me, kid, do you play football or basketball?”
Rai shook his head. “Not really. I play pickup games here and there but nothing much.”
“Who’s your favorite team?”
Rai tilted his head. “Which sport?”
Joseph made an exasperated sound. “Basketball.”
Rai’s cheeks turned pink. “Warriors.”
Dexter’s father scrubbed his unshaven cheek and nodded. “He’ll do. Shit choices in teams, but he’ll survive.”
Dexter laughed. “Don’t be so hard on him, Dad. He’s trying to catch his balance here.”
“Sink or swim, ‘round here,” his father muttered. “Long as he isn’t a Patriots fan, we’re good to go.”
“Texan fan,” Rai said. “Cowboys are a has-been team.”
“Least he didn't say Raiders,” Marcus said entering the kitchen. “Hey Momma, Pops.” He hugged their mother and bro-hugged their dad. “Sorry, I'm late. Met with this incredible group of storm chasers today. I think if I work with them, I can get my app out there.”
Rai perked up. “What was their name?”
“She said her name was Brittney, she was there with a guy named Shiro and another one named Lars.” Marcus opened the fridge and grabbed a drink while their mother busied herself making cookies with Jackie. “They’re stoked by my ideas. I’ve never met a more put together group of people.”
“Was her last name Hart?” Rai hedged.
Marcus nodded. “Come to think of it.” He glanced at the boy then to Dexter then back to the boy. “Holy shit. I met your mom.”
“And now, you’re meeting my son,” Dexter said, introducing Marcus to Rai.
“Damn bro,” Marcus said, taking a seat at the table. “How the fuck you manage a pretty boy with your ugly mug?”
“You’ve seen his mother,” Dexter said with a shrug. “Her genetics were stronger.”
“You’re lucky,” Marcus stated before hooking his thumb at Dexter. “At least you don’t have to go through life looking like your dad.”
Dexter flipped him off with a laugh. “Ruthless.”
“I come by it naturally.” Marcus grinned.
“Did you like my mom?” Rai hedged.
“I did, they're knowledgeable about these storms. They want the same thing I do—to save people.”
Rai's chest puffed up with pride for his mother. His grey eyes twinkled with love, and his lips curled into a proud smile. “She is. She always said she'd be the one to crack the code when it comes to tornadoes. Another more famous team beat her on sending probes into the cone, but she's studied all the data from it and is going to learn how to make tornado weather safer and better, so no one has to lose their lives.”
“That baby loves his momma, I can hear it in his voice,” Dexter’s mother said. “She did good raising you, baby.”
“I think she did, but she had help from her team. They're all like family to me.” Rai shrugged as if it was no big deal. “I think she'd like all of you too, but she's stand-offish.”
Jackie tilted her head, throwing a look at Dexter.
“Her mom disowned her, and her father passed away,” Dexter said. “Wouldn’t accept Rai either because he’s mixed.”
“Oh, hell no,” Jackie raised her hand. “No one disrespects my nephew that way.”
Dexter bit the inside of his cheek so as not to smile. “It was a long time ago, Jac
kie. Besides, she—they've got us.”
“When you puttin’ a ring on it, son?” Dexter’s father shouted from the living room.
He didn’t have an answer. He had to talk to Brittney about it and, right now, with the weather getting squirrelly, she didn’t need any distractions. Plus, what she said the night before, resonated with him. She wasn’t in his life to trap him. She was there so he could be a part of Rai’s life. All indications to him, except for last night, showed she’d been more than willing to separate her feelings from the situation and allow Dexter and Rai to form a relationship. He’d been jealous, to say the least. He envied her ability to push her wants aside, yet, he worried she’d hurt herself in the long run. No way in hell she didn’t feel the connection between them. It burned bright and fast, making it even harder to not take his father up on the idea of asking Brittney to marry him.
“When the time is right and everything works out, Dad.” It wasn't a perfect solution, but he wouldn't scare Brittney off either.
“Looks like everything already worked out,” his father said.
He glanced at Rai who shrugged his shoulders, confused as well. “Not so sure about that.”
“Joseph Walsh, if you want to talk to your son, bring your ragged ass back in here and sit at the table. What have I told you about carrying on like this?” Dexter’s mom fisted her hands on her hips while Jackie continued to scoop out the cookie dough.
His father entered the kitchen with an impatient gleam in his eyes. “I speak the truth. You know it too, you’re just too sensible to say it.”
“I might know a lot of things, but one thing I won't do is force our children into a marriage of convenience. It's not how I was raised and it sure is hell, not the way we raised our children.” Dexter's mom grabbed the full tray from Jackie and put it in the oven. “Dexter, you do what your heart tells you. Rai is your child. We'll support you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Dexter said.
“Son,” Joseph said. “Your boy and his mother are your family now. You have to take care of both of them and it starts with bringing this Brittney woman home. You can’t have a broken home and have a stable child. It’s not how we raised you.”
Sometimes, his father said all the right words. His father had a point. Though Rai had an amazing upbringing, he also didn’t have his father. Dexter knew it was by no fault of anyone, but if he was going to keep Brittney by his side, he had to win over Rai first. He needed his son to see him for him, flaws and all. “You’re right. I have to fix all of this with Brittney, but not on my own. I also need to spend more time with my son and get to know him.”
Rai grinned. “I’d like that.”
“Then it’s settled. Not another word about my relationship with Brittney or my relationship with Rai. If you do ask, ‘we’re working on it,’ will be the only answer you get.” Dexter took a seat next to his brother. “When did this table get so small and cramped.”
“When your big ass had a growth spurt,” Marcus said, knocking Dexter’s elbow off the table.
Rai laughed. “So, who’s the oldest?”
“Dexter is,” Jackie said, joining them. “Then me. Marcus is the straggler.”
“Hey,” Marcus grumbled. “I am not a straggler.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Jackie muttered. “He’s a straggler. Belongs to the milkman too.”
“That's cold-hearted, sis,” Marcus mumbled. “They don't like it because I'm a hustler, and they have careers.”
Jackie pursed her lips. “That’s not it. You need to grow up. Dexter and I have.”
Marcus shook his head. “I am grown and I’m in an industry where billions of dollars can exchange hands daily.”
“How much of those billions are yours?” Jackie arched a brow.
“Two and a half million of it,” Marcus said, sitting up a little taller. “I also reinvested my money back into my company to make this app, but it wasn’t enough due to the complex features and the prediction elements, hence why I borrowed from Mom and Pops.”
Jackie sat back in her chair, her features morphing from righteous indignation to full-on shock and surprise. Marcus’ announcement startled Dexter as well. He’d been under the impression Marcus made money, but never enough to not live hand to mouth. Now, he felt like an asshole picking on his baby brother.
“It's going to be worth it if you work with my mom,” Rai said, drawing Dexter's attention. “She's one of the best in the country. I'm not saying that because she's my mom, either. She is good. When we were in Clark, she showed so much compassion for those who were hurt or displaced. It made me realize why she risks her life every time she goes out—it's her desire to protect those who, in some cases, can't protect themselves.”
Pride filled Dexter. He understood Brittney’s motivation more than most. The same drive and determination filled him as well and it’d been why he excelled at his job. “That’s my boy.”
The timer on the oven went off and Dexter’s mother donned an oven mitt. She pulled the cookie sheet out and placed it on the counter. She then grabbed one of the small cookie platters out of the cupboard and began plating the cookies.
“Those smell amazing,” Dexter said. “It’s been too long.”
Cecilia brought the plate to the table. “There’s enough I can send some home for both of you.”
“Thank you,” Rai said.
“Don’t thank me,” Cecilia replied then pointed to her cheek. “I take sugar as payment.”
Rai grinned then kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “What should I call you?”
Dexter’s mother stared at the boy for a moment. “You can call me, Nne nne.”
Rai repeated the term and nodded. “I like it. I think it fits.”
Cecilia’s eyes sparkled and her face filled with a radiant smile filled with love and approval. “Then I am your Nne nne.”
For the next few hours, Dexter along with his parents and siblings told stories about their family and showed Rai more photographs of his cousins and extended family members. The time he spent with his family settled most of the anxiousness settling in Dexter's gut. Rai fit with them. There were some awkward moments, whose family didn't have those, but for the most part, the day had been fun and entertaining. Before they left, Dexter gathered everyone back in the kitchen. He had to tell them about the coming storm so his family could be prepared.
“There is another reason why I am here with Rai,” Dexter said. “There’s a storm coming.”
“When?” his father asked.
“In a few days,” Dexter answered. “There should be more reports about it. You guys are in the path of it and some of the cells are going to be monsters.”
“I’ve seen it,” Marcus said. “When I was talking to Brittney, she allowed me a glimpse of the system. We’re using that data to help build the foundation of the weather app I am trying to create. If it’s as big as what Brittney said, there will be widespread damage and loss of life. I can feel it.”
“What do we need to do, son,” Joseph said.
Dexter understood telling his parents about the tornadoes might scare the shit out of them. After Houston, they’d been a little reluctant to go anywhere other than shopping. Harvey devastated them and having to be rescued, made it even worse. “For now, make sure you have enough previsions in the storm shelter. Make sure the minute you hear the announcement on your weather radio, you head for the shelter too. I’ll be working, I’ll make sure someone comes to get you, should anything hit San Antonio.”
Joseph nodded. “It’s all you can do, son.”
“I’ll stay behind,” Marcus announced. “I’ll take care of them. I can’t do much with Brittney until after they process the storm data, so it only seems appropriate I stay behind with them. I’ll call you if anything happens.”
“Then we’re set,” Dexter said. “I’ll keep you all posted when I find out more.”
The drive home took a little longer than Dexter had expected. There were a few accidents along the way
and by the time they hit the state route, rain began to fall. It appeared the storm was ahead of schedule if the rapidly darkening clouds were any indication. They pulled into the driveaway a little over an hour later and all hell broke loose. He ushered Rai into the house then stood there for a moment catching his breath.
He hated getting wet by the rain.
After toeing off his shoes, he went into the kitchen and came up short, Brittney had already returned and, if he went by the look on her face, the news wasn't good. Dexter wrapped her in a welcoming hug, before taking her hand and leading her into the living room. The tension radiating off of her made him anxious.
“Why don’t you tell me what happened,” Dexter said.
Brittney blew out a breath. Where did she begin? Between the fact, the system picked up steam while also churning up more energy, the probability for more dangerous storms being wide-spread amplified. The main line of storms coming from the south were connecting with another string of pop up showers forming one long strip of supercells. There was so much going on, she'd called Sanders who'd been in the area as well, waiting for the storms.
“It’s bad,” she said. “Worse, actually.”
“I watched it roll in as we drove home. Wasn’t expecting rain until late tonight or tomorrow morning.” Dexter frowned. “Should we be concerned now?”
She shook her head. “No, I think the timeframe is still on target. These are the thunderstorms ahead of the front. However, I believe the line and locations of the potential tornadoes will be extended more northward.”
“Are you saying our risk is lower now?”
“No. I think the bigger impact will happen here, Bandera, San Antonio and maybe Austin. I think the impending risk for Dallas-Ft. Worth has grown as well,” she said. “Sanders agrees and his team is going to Dallas to cover there. He’s called another team to be in between San Antonio and Austin as well. We’re going to coordinate later tonight when the system ramps up.”
