I press my cheek against Oklahoma’s chest and give a faint smile to Ruka. “We’re fine. Keep an eye on the radar for us, if you can.”
“Everything seems fine. The radar isn’t pulling up any clouds, actually. Something isn’t right, but I’ll let you know.”Ruka and Oakley share a look of understanding before my brother dips into the bar again.
Crickets chirp all around us, their wings rubbing together to create a song. The wind caresses us. The sky rumbles. The clouds flash with quiet lightning. Thunder booms, reverberating for miles.
“Are you okay?” I tilt my head back to peer up at him. My hands land on his strong chest, his shirt stretched across his impressive frame.
“I’m fine, Sugar. You helped me when I was up there. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
“I knew you weren’t happy. I only ever want you happy, Kokoro.”
He grabs the back of my neck and leans his forehead against mine. “I’ve never been happier. You’ve brightened my life.”
I reach for his face, my thumb rubbing across his bottom lip. It’s soft and pliant. When I met him, I thought his lips would be hard and firm like his soul seemed to be. I was wrong. His soul is so far from being cold and numb. He keeps the warmth of his spirit buried behind walls of guilt and regret.
Once the layers are peeled back, Oklahoma is more than a storm; he’s the calm that comes after.
“You’ve brightened mine too.”
Rainby The Teskey Brothers blares from the walls of the bar. Oklahoma takes my hand, slowly intertwining our fingers. It’s intimate and slow, my breath catching from his every move. He tugs me close by the belt loop, his arm tightening around my waist.
I’m home.
We dance outside under the storm clouds. The crickets sing along. The frogs croak in every downbeat. Thunder rolls, the heartbeat of the sky thrumming to stay alive.
No words are spoken between us. The lyrics stamp their meaning on our bond. The soulful rasp of the lead voice is gravity, tugging me closer to Oklahoma. We sway so slowly; we are barely moving at all.
The parking lot becomes our own dance floor.
He gently spins me out, then pulls me in close again. Rain falls so light, it’s a mist upon my skin. The bond hums with love’s energy and the world falls away. The parking lot isn’t here.
Nothing exists. Only him.
Only Oklahoma.
Our intertwined hands drop to my stomach. His eyes close and I press my cheek against his chest, barely moving my feet.
The steady rain gathers strength. The mist turns to a pour, drenching us head to toe, and yet we don’t move. We stay where we are. Swaying left and right, falling in love all over again with every second that passes.
When the song ends, I expect him to stop dancing, but he doesn’t. We sway to the rain pattering on the asphalt and the guttural howls of thunder.
“Where is he?” shouts an unknown voice through the heavy downpour.
Oklahoma pushes me behind him, claws at the ready to attack, but I notice a woman standing there, just as drenched as we are, with bright blue glowing eyes that seem sad she hasn’t found who she is looking for.
I step forward, my teeth chattering now that I’m out of Oklahoma’s hold. “Who are you looking for? What’s he look like? What’s your name? Let’s get you inside and get you a hot drink, ma’am.”
“He has to be here,” she cries so loud, lightning strikes down right beside her. “I’ve been looking for him everywhere! I feel him. He’s here. He has to be here!” Her screams of heartbreaktrigger more lightning. The hot bolts strike and crackle all around us.
A nearby tree gets hit and splits in half, smoke stretching to the sky.
The loud boom triggers car alarms. The sirens blare. My ears ring. Now, I can’t hear her at all.
“What’s your name?” Oklahoma steps forward. “We can help you. We can help you find who you’re looking for, ma’am,” he offers, daring to take another step.
Her dress sticks to her skin. The material filthy and torn. She’s barefoot. The rain washes away the dirt cake on her feet.
“I feel him.” She clutches her chest, clawing at her skin where her heart hides underneath. “He is close. He has to be close. I feel his thunder. Where is he?” she shouts, only this time, she’s full of rage.
