Her words ring in my ears. A tear slides down her cheek. My hand shakes when I touch the side of her face.
“Do you know what I wish?” I murmur. A roll of thunder rumbles through the building. She shakes her head, teeth sinking into her bottom lip. Scared, hesitant. Years of carrying this burden alone. “I wish, more than anything else, you could see yourself from my eyes. Because you know what you would find? The most beautiful, mostdeservingperson worthy of everything she’s ever dreamed of. And if I could? I’d spend all my money, I’d barter with the devil, I’d find a way to give you everything you’ve ever wanted, just so you could see how incredible I think you are.” I rest my forehead against hers. We’re the only two people here, the rest of the world obsolete. “If you want to chase this storm, I’m going with you. Not because I don’t think you’re capable of doing it on your own, but because I want to be there when you realize howrightyou were. When you realize your life is about to change because people are finally paying attention to you like they should’ve been doing this whole time. Like I’ve been doing for goddamn years. You asked if I hated you? No.” I shake my head. “The way I feel about you is so muchworsethan hatred. It’s eating me alive. I can’t do anything to fight it. I can’t make it stop, but even if I could? I wouldn’t.”
My heart races, controlled by someone other than me.
Her, probably.
“Sebastian.” She puts her hands on my shirt, staring up at me. There are questions she wants to ask. I can tell. But she keeps them to herself, and I’m glad. I don’t know how to answer them. Not yet. “You’ll really come with me?”
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be.” I kiss the top of her head to ground myself. “Which means we need to get moving. We’re already running out of time.”
THE RAINY DAY SHOW COMMENT SECTION
@ParrotsAndPeaches:I have a friend who lives in Punta Gorda, which is where Hurricane Georgianna is supposed to make landfall. She said she just saw Quincy and Sebastian chatting with Jim Cantore, and I’m 100% convinced they’re chasing the storm together.
@BeakersAndBarometers:This is going to be epic.
@IHeartDogs1990:Has anyone else noticed how much they’ve been staring at each other lately? Like, he’s on her show, and he’s talking, and they exchange this cute little look.
@HayKayMan4:He’s always looking at her. Now she’s looking at him.
@User2842345735:Looking for love? So am I. DM me for details and pictures.
@User1413444002:I’m rly scrd about this storm fr. I’m so unprprd lol. Guess I should buy some water?
The hours before a hurricane are, ironically, some of the most beautiful you’ll ever find weather-wise. The air is still. The wind is calm. The atmosphere is dry, all the moisture pulled in by the approaching storm before it’s released back into the atmosphere with tremendous force.
It’s deceiving. People get caught up on the breeze and the last bit of sunshine and think they’re in the clear. A few hours from now, when the stronger bands roll in, the environment is going to be completely different. Even I can’t believe a Category 5 hurricane is knocking on our door.
“You’re thinking hard.” Sebastian nudges my shoulder on our walk around the area surrounding the hotel we found last minute in Punta Gorda. It’s at a higher elevation, away from the water, and we managed to snag a room with a single twin bed after a three-hour drive. The owner said they were evacuating, but they left a key for us, letting us know emergency services wouldn’t be available if we needed to be rescued. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m taking it all in.” I lean into his touch, happy when he puts an arm around me and pulls me to his side. “Enjoying being dry before we get soaked later. Hoping our friends are doing okay back home.”
“They have supplies and a weather radio. Coop is trained in natural disaster recovery, thank god, so if things get bad, I know he’ll be the first one to jump into action.”
“I’m so glad we have selfless friends.”
“So do I. What’s our plan?”
“I want to attach my camera to that tree.” I point to the tall palm that faces the road and the harbor on the other side of the street. It sways slightly, fronds moving with the gentle breeze, and I wonder all the things it’s seen. “I was also going to see if I could convince you to hang out in the alcove between our hotel and the next one over for the first part of the storm.”
“Is it covered?”
“Yes.AndI brought my helmet.”
He laughs. “Of course you did. I’ll agree to your terms under one condition.”
“Let’s hear it, Dunn.”
“When the debris turns into projectiles, we’re going inside. No arguing. No trying to justify staying out longer. If you are in danger, we’re finished. Understand?”
“A little overbearing, but, fine. I’ll play by your rules.”
“You know I’m not some alpha dickhead dude who thinks he has control over you, right? I just … do you remember what I said about your well-being? With a storm like this, I don’t want to take any chances. You are very important to me, Quincy, and keeping you safe is a priority.”
“I understand.” My heart skips a beat, and I hold his words tight to my chest. “I want you to be safe too.”
“We’re in this together. You—”
