Page 13 of Rain Delay

Finding the spare key under the mat, I unlocked the door, entering my new space for the next eight months.

The door swung open into a place that somehow managed to feel both lived-in and impersonal at the same time. It felt like someone spent just enough time here to function, but not enough to settle.

He wasn’t home. Who he was, I still had yet to find out. I’m also kind of glad he isn’t there when I arrive. I wanted to get myself comfortable with my surroundings before I started ‘working.’

There wasn’t much in the home that gave away who lived here – Maybe that was a good thing. Just in case I wanted to run away if I found out who it was.

I slipped my shoes off by the door, placing the key in my pocket before I started to wander around a little bit. The decor around the place was minimal and boring; black and white decorations with some baseball and superhero memorabilia.

Either this guy didn’t like taking photos, or he was hiding something from whoever entered his home. Not a single picture hung on the wall. No friends, no family, nothing. Just pictures of Batman movie posters, some pictures of the stadium in Milwaukee, and baseball pictures you’d probably see in a Hobby Lobby.

The fridge wasn’t much to brag about either. It looked like this man never grocery-shopped; or was living life doing some sort of Keto diet — Doesn’t he know those are bad for you in the long run?

Rounding the kitchen island, I make my way toward the back sliding door to get a better look at the view I would look at every morning while making breakfast and a coffee.

There’s a beautiful in-ground pool with patio furniture, umbrellas, lounge chairs – Perfect to lay out on my days off.

If there’s such a thing as a day off with this job.

I’m then distracted by the sound of something jingling. There was no mention of an animal when I received the information – Was I being robbed?

I carefully follow the sound until I’m met with the most adorable dalmatian I’ve ever seen in my life.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you’re not a robber!” I say, crouching down to open the dog’s kennel and let them free. “And what’s your name, beautiful?” I check the tag on their collar to see it reads “MAGGIE.” I smile big, letting Maggie love on me.

“Oh, Maggie, we’re going to be best friends,” I scratch behind her ears. “And whatever rules your dad has for you? Those don’t exist when you’re hanging with me.”

The area around her crate is spotless. There’s even a food and water bowl with her name carved into them.

This guy was a dog-dad, for sure.

I stood up, making my way up the stairs to see where my bedroom was. The room was stark white – shocker. Not a speck of decorations, just the soft, ambient lighting on a bookshelf that hosted a couple of books. That would change real quick with my collection.

I set my big suitcase on the bed and unzipped it, the familiar routine of unpacking somehow settling my nerves a little bit. I folded and hung some clothes, lined my shoes against the wall, and started to make this space feel a bit more like mine.

A good hour and a half passes before I hear the door click shut.

He’s home earlier than I expected, and this room was already becoming a mess. I had no process of organization yet, so clothes were thrown all on the bed, makeup and skincare things were tossed in a bag on the floor. Definitely not the vibes this house was giving.

“Maggie, girl, you better not be bothering our new guest,” A voice calls out as they ascend the stairs. The voice sounded too familiar. Perhaps I was just hallucinating.

Maggie leapt off the bed, going into the hallway to greet the stranger. “Hi, pretty girl,” he says before I see the dog trot back into my room. “Sorry, she doesn’t know the concept of personal space–”

I brush hair out of my face, turn to face him, and freeze.

Either the universe is playing a sick trick on me, or the man that’s standing in front of me is the one that left me for this god-forsaken sport five years ago.

Of all the players they could’ve picked on this roster. There had to be other options. There was no way they knew about our past, so this was pure coincidence, right?

We both stare at each other for a beat.

Those deep green eyes were the same, unable to move away. It had been a while since I’d seen this man. To have these feelings rush through my mind as he stared at me standing in the middle of his guest bedroom.

It felt way too familiar. And I wasn’t sure if I liked this feeling.

It was just a heartbeat, maybe two, but it felt like forever. I saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes, the way his mouth parted just slightly.

His face drained of color. It was as if someone knocked the wind out of him. He looked completely caught off guard.