Book: The Bad Boy's Gang

Genre: Teen fiction/Romance

Author:   AshleyT7

Character: Rain (Thompson) Anderson

Nominated by:  livyreadingchallenge

About the story:

Rain Thompson is your average 18 year old girl, well as average as the sheriff's daughter can be. She's sassy and sarcastic, her mouth causing her to get in trouble. One day Rain goes to school after hours and in order pick up some up of her left behind textbooks, all going normal- so she thinks. Rain picking up her books quickly turns into her watching a drug deal gone wrong. With her heart and mind racing, Rain does what she thinks is best and that is to jump in.

Rain quickly realize who exactly she saved, one of New York's most notable bad boys. Ryker Anderson is your not so average 20 year old, and a member of the Crusaders Gang. With his body count as long as his prison record, he screams trouble. Rain gets thrown into the world of gangs, having to make a choice of if she wants to join or not.

One problem though; Her hatred for Ryker is too much to bare.

Rain joins the gang for her own protection, forcing her to bare her hatred for Ryker and learn the world of gangs.

As Rain and Ryker are forced to work together, feelings begin to uproar.

 What should I call you? Do you prefer a nickname?

Rain is fine! I've always kinda hated my name because I could never have some cool nickname to go by.

Welcome and thanks for agreeing to talk to us today.

No problem, I'm super excited to be here. I've always wanted to do one of these... it's one of those things you rehearse in your head when I'm trying to sleep so I'm glad it's finally paying off.

Can I get you something to drink? Water? Soda? Coffee? Wine? Whiskey?

I'd love a glass of water. I'm not really a drinker after a few nights of getting a bit plastered with the bad influence of Peter and Will.

Ah, the consequences of a good time I hope. Tell me a little about yourself?

Well I'm Rain Thompson, actually Rain Anderson after Ryker and I got married when I was 18. I'm currently 22 going on 24. I have two kids now, Roman who is my oldest and is 4 and my youngest Reed who is about to turn one. I'm attempting to attend college for nursing but it's been a little difficult with balancing school and two kids. Although I was promoted by Craig to be in charge of the races every weekend for the gang. Overall I like to think I'm the same sassy, sarcastic Rain that I was when I was 18 just with a lot more maturity and a better fashion sense.

Where do you live?

I still live in New York within the city. Although Ryker and I are looking for a house right outside the city so the kids can have a bigger space to grow up in and get away from all the chaos of the city. I love the city though so I won't leave completely which is why right outside it is perfect!

Best of both worlds for you then. Do you have any jobs or hobbies?

I currently do not have a job outside of the gang. My job right now would be organizing and finding races for the gang to take part in, although I have stepped out of the drag racing scene since I had gotten pregnant. But after I get my degree I hope to get into nursing, specifically in the pediatrics field. Ryker is of course pretty supportive of me being a stay at home mom or finding a job. I have thought about going back into modeling in order to bring in some extra cash but I don't know if my heart was ever truly in it.

You are busy! Good on you. What are some of your likes and dislikes?

Mmm, let me think really quick. Likes I would say peanut butter, the beach, and my bed. Dislikes - cigarettes, littering, and American History class. This wasn't supposed to be about any thing specific, right? I tend to be a little random at times.

Of course, I mean everyone does.

No, that's perfect. What is your greatest fear?

You mean besides small spaces? Claustrophobia is no joke I swear. I would say my biggest fear is looking the people I love. After going through being kidnapped, I realized how heart tearing it is to be separated from the people you love. So I would say losing my kids, Ryker, or anyone else I love would be my biggest fear. While it is inevitable to happen one day, I just want to live a long happy life with them.

Kidnapping? That sounds so scary. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

My relationship with my dad. I'm sure anyone who knows my story, has a rightful hatred for my dad. We've definitely never had a perfect relationship and I still hold the grudge at times against him for how he treated me instead of being there for me. I've gotten older and we've been working on my relationship ever since I got back from being kidnapped. I just wish what happened when I was teenager never happened, but hey the past cannot be changed so I try to focus on our present relationship and how far he's come. He's now 4 years sober!

Bravo to you both for trying. Are you married?

Yes I am married! I got married at 18 (yikes I know). I understand now I was super young but I think after everything Ryker and I went through- we were ready to take the next steps. While everyone has their opinion on us getting married young *cough* my brothers *cough* I think it was a good decision for me and my marriage has been great for the past 4 years. I still remember our wedding and Ryker being his own bridezilla, Vince almost killed him, I swear.

You are so lucky to have found true love so young. I'm sure I can guess this but tell us about someone important to you?

Ryker, my now husband. Ryker and I started off with the cliché hate, not being able to stand each other. It makes me chuckle when I think about how we would argue even though we both knew we liked one another. While we have definitely had our good moments and bad moments, I couldn't imagine my life without him. He's an amazing husband and an amazing father, watching him with the kids makes my heart melt. I would not be where I am today without him and his support. Ryker's my other half, and my better half I may add. I love him more than anything and words can't express how important he is to me. He never fails to make me smile and I still get butterflies years later, something everyone should look for in a guy.

Aw, so sweet. Do you have any events or people in your past who affect you today?

Absolutely, both bad and good. I went through a lot growing up and when I joined the gang my life did not get easier. Between getting kidnapped and seeing my abusive ex boyfriend Tyson, that experience made me stronger. It was a miserable experience I wouldn't wish on anyone but I believe it made me the person I am today. While I still have my demons to deal with, coming out of there made me realize how lucky I was and how lucky I was to have the people I loved around me. After being isolated and tortured, I came out of there and counted my blessings everyday. I have become a stronger person because of it as well as became a more positive person, being thankful I get to live one more day everyday.

If you could have done one thing differently, what would it be?

Wow these questions are deep. I'm trying to rack my brain for an answer that is actually meaningful and not some lame answer. Not that I regret having my kids but if I could go back I would change getting pregnant at 18. And once again I love my kids dearly and never would look at them as a regret but I think Ryker and I were just so young. While me getting pregnant was a total oops I think if it would have happened later on life we would've been more prepared, as prepared as you can be for having kids because no one is ever completely prepared. I just think we were rushed to grow up a little faster and wish we could've been older but I believe everything happens for a reason.

Agreed. Are you happy we know your story?

I am. I think my story is one to tell and I'd like to think an interesting one. I mean one day I showed up to school after hours to grab my books, only then to see a drug deal gone wrong in the hallways I've my school. And God please don't even remind me of how I got involved, I ask myself why I say half the things I do. But as you watch my story, you watch as my world flips upside down as one of the most powerful Gangs in New York suddenly becomes inclined with me. As much as I didn't want to join, I'm thankful I did. Crusade gang is where I met my lifelong friends that I consider family as well as my husband. My story is filled with ups and downs but wouldn't fail to keep you on the edge of your seat. While my story is a classic love story from enemies to lovers, I think it's one with a bit of a twist. I love to look back on my story and just see how far I've come and how far Ryker and I have come.

Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

That sounds so weird to say I have fans, I never thought of it like that. I love you all though! Thank you for supporting me and falling along with my crazy journey.

Can we look forward to reading more of your story?

Sadly no, I think Ryker and I's story is complete to its fullest. The left can be left up to your imagination ;)

Well said! Unfortunately, our time is up Rain. Thank you for sitting down with me today and chatting. I wish you and your family all the best in the future.

Thank you so much for this opportunity! Never thought I'd be asked for an interview, I feel famous. I just now need to get Ryker to get a sign with my name in lights.

That sounds like a great idea.

To read Rain's story, click on the link in the comment here --->

Now it's your turn to ask Rain.

Add your questions as an inline comment here. Don't forget to tag AshleyT7 so they can get the question to her. ---->