“I’m with Ruka and Nariko. We’re looking for the tornado so Nariko can send live updates. The radars aren’t working. We only have photos and information from other chasers at the moment.”
Another period of silence.
“You’re in a storm chaser’s vehicle?”
I click my tongue, just as surprised as he is. “I am. I won’t leave Nariko unprotected.”
Westin exhales on the other line. “Just—be—care—you’re break—up.” Static fills the line, his voice cutting in and out.
“Westin? Westin?” I shout his name louder, but it’s pointless. The line goes dead, and now my phone reads ‘no service’ across the top. “Fuck. Cell phone service is out. What about you two?”
“Same for me,” Nariko calls out.
“Me too,” Ruka says next.
I toss my phone on the floor, needing it out of sight and out of mind because there’s nothing I can do. I think about my animals and how scared they must be, but Kentucky visited a few months ago, and unlike me, being bombarded by people’s emotions, he can speak to animals.
He told them what to do if a storm were to come, and animals have a good sense to run to safety to begin with. Still, I worry. Especially the mustangs that are in the pasture. They will find their way to one of the shelter barns I built for severe weather.
“We are close. Barometer readings are coming in, and the pressure is low.” Nariko looks at the window, trying to find where the tornado is. She points. “There. Across the field. Look at the lightning. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I lean to see what she’s talking about. The sky is deep purple with green in some areas. Lightning strikes in the same area. Bolts vein across the sky for miles, reminding me of the nervous system in our bodies.
“That way. Go! Go!” Nariko shouts with impatience at Ruka.
He jerks the wheel to the right, and the tires screech again. My head thuds against the window, the dull ache reminding me of the one fucking thing I’ve always known.
I. Hate. Storm. Chasers.
Except Nariko. She’s the exception.
I’m dumbfounded.
There’s no way I’m seeing what I’m seeing. The sky is an array of colors. Bright, vivid, yet in many places, as dark as the deepest pit in the world. Brush strokes of lightning paint across the sky. Variations of purples swirl, an oasis of violet coming to life. Thunder groans from up above, disagreeing with me.
I roll down the window, lifting my camera to snap pictures of the gorgeous nightmare. The hairs on my arm stand on its ends from the danger as we get closer.
The storm clouds grow, blooming from the warm air.
Ruka cuts across the field. The wheat parts for us, slapping against the sides of the truck as we make our way to the storm. I continue to take pictures, not wanting to miss a moment of history being made.
“Look,” Oklahoma points at something up ahead. “It’s her.”
I have to wait until we get closer to see what he does.
“How did you see her? Vision like an eagle,” Ruka praises. “You’d do well on chases with us.”
“Better get used to me tagging along. I’m not leaving Nariko’s side.”
I turn around and take a picture of him before he can protest. I knew he was looking at me, and I wanted to catch the moment. I want to be able to see him anytime I want, so I never forget how much this man loves me.
His hair is soaked from the rain, and it’s curling at the ends. His damp shirt clings to his body, allowing me to see every hard-earned muscle this man has. Six abs. Firm pecs. Biceps that stretch the sleeves.
My mouth waters. My body comes alive with heat, and now is not the time.
Oklahoma smells the air, his eyes turning that scarlet red that I love, and I take another picture.
As much as I want to see his love for me, I also want to see his desire.
