When It Rains (Rains, #1)

by Lisa De Jong

I feel like Asher is burning a never-ending scar inside of me, and my heart is spiraling into a deep, dark abyss. This is the single most beautiful, painful experience I’ve ever had.

His motions slow as his forehead rests on mine. When his chest suddenly vibrates against my chest, and his warm tears fall on my face, it literally hurts to breathe.

“This just feels like goodbye, and I’m not ready. I’m not fucking ready,” he says, pinching his eyes closed. He’s still buried deep inside of me, but our bodies remain still.

I want to help him but I don’t know how.

I want to take his pain away, ...

I pray to wake up and see her beautiful face one more time. I pray for a miracle, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I was already given one. Kate.

. . he is the architect of the person I’ve become these last few months.

“Do you think there are stars in heaven?” he pauses, swallowing so hard that I can hear it. “I was just thinking about what it would be like to look up and never see them. It’s kind of what connects the world, you know? It doesn’t matter if we’re here, or halfway across the world . . . we all see stars. Someday soon I’m not going to see them anymore, Kate.”

“Don’t.” He tilts my chin up, making me look straight into his eyes. “I don’t want you to tell me that there’s still hope. I don’t want you to tell me that everything will be okay,” he says sadly, his eyes filling with tears. “I’m dying. This is me dying.”

A tear escapes his eye, and I kiss it away. If I could kiss it all away, I would. Cancer is a darkness that is spreading through his body . . . killing him slowly . . . robbing him of light, and all I can do is sit back and watch, praying for the miracle that will probably never come.

most of all I’m afraid that when I wake up, I won’t feel his heart beating against my palm. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for that moment.

Whether you love someone for ten thousand minutes or ten thousand days . . . no matter how much you prepare yourself for the inevitable, thinking about it will never bruise you as much as hearing the truth.

I’d take my last breath if it meant he would never have to take his.

I guess I’ve always hoped it will just be another life.” I pause, trying to collect my thoughts. “I hope it’s just like waking up in another place.”

I’ll miss his voice. I’ll miss the peaceful feeling that looking into his eyes gives me. But most of all, I’ll miss the comfort of knowing that when the sun rises in the morning, Asher will still be lying next to me.

We tend to regret our yesterdays, live in our todays and forget about our tomorrows, but I’m trying to cherish them all.

“I told you that every star in the sky was made for you, and they were, Kate. You light up my world even in my darkest moments.”

“I need to know that you’re going to be okay.” His breathing is heavy and he’s struggling for every word. “I need to know that you’ll think about the good times we shared, and never settle for anything less than how you felt in those moments.”

“You gave me my life back. You cared about me enough to push past my demons. You made me want to be with you every minute of the day because you made me feel things that no one else could. And whether you’re lying beside me or living in my memories, I will love you. Forever. Always.”

“When it rains, Kate. Remember me.” His voice is so low, but every word registers with me. It’s his goodbye. I know it is. He’s struggling to breathe as I rest my cheek against his shoulder.

The man who brought me back to life just lost his.

I would give my life for one more dance, one more fishing trip . . . one more chance to make love, maybe under the stars this time. It’s amazing how many times in life I’ve said, “I want to do that someday,” not thinking that someday might never come. I will never take someday for granted again.

I’ve held him for the last time.

I’ve kissed him for the ...

But I’ll think about him always and lov...

Life’s not fair. Life’s often complicated, leaving us to deal with things that we shouldn’t have to. Life can make you smile one day, only to leave you broken into tiny little pieces the next.

I know tomorrow is never a guarantee.

when I know without a shadow of doubt that I will never see him again in this life, I fall to my knees. Never in my life have I felt so numb. Asher was the ground beneath my feet, the air that filled my lungs, and the sun that shined above my head. He saved me from drowning. I’d been held under water for four minutes and fifty-nine seconds when I met him. I was one second away from fading.

They always say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, but I figured out a long time ago that Asher was special. Now I have an angel watching over me.

Even though he’s not here, he’s still the most amazing person I’ve ever known. He always seems to know what I need, even when he isn’t here.

I’ve stuck by her even when she has tried to push me away. I love her, and I’ve tried to tell and show her over and over again, but nothing works. The

I don’t want to admit it, but Asher being in her life has helped her. As much as I hated seeing him with her, I loved seeing her with brightness in her eyes again.

Love is unselfish; that’s how I know what I feel for Kate is the real thing.

My heart beats rapidly as I rest my forehead against hers. For years, I’ve looked for any excuse to touch her skin. “You can’t do everything alone. Let me help you. Let me be there for you.”

I always said I’d wait for her, but there have been a few times I wanted to give up on the whole idea of love. After what she told me today, I know I can’t give up on her just yet. She’s not replaceable, not in my eyes.

Living a meaningful life is important to me. It’s not about money or prestige. It’s about helping as many people as I can through my experience and education.

I also realize that there’s a difference between soul mates and true love. Looking at the surface, they are similar, but when I dug deep down inside, I found they were different.

I found my soul mate. Asher understood all the complexities that made me who I was. We had an instant connection, and over time it grew into something so deep, strong and meaningful that it will stick with me forever. He brought me a sense of peace and happiness. He made me aware of the beauty in life, and for that I will forever be thankful.

I found my true love. Beau has been there for me over and over again, through good times and bad. He would give up his world for me, and I would do the same for him. He would give up everything just to know I was okay as he has proven time and time a...

Is one type of love better than the other? I don’t know, but I’m lucky enough ...

I fall in love with him every day, and he doesn’t even have to say a word.

Apart, we’re only half of what we are when we’re together. He completes me, and I’m ready to feel whole again. The

Asher taught me is that every day should be worth at least one smile.

never take anyone or anything for granted. It’s easy to assume that when someone walks into our life they will always be there. But I know that one day, one moment, one ounce of bad luck can change everything.

I’m never going to be the girl I was, but right now, I’m the person I want to be.

love is a powerful emotion. It has the ability to get you through anything.

When it rains think of me. I look up, letting the rain hit my face and smile.