Sobering, he asked, “Are you okay?”
“Couldn’t be better.”
“I really like you, Gale.”
“I really like you too, and I don’t have regrets.”
“Good.”
Ozrik found a rag in the trunk and returned with it, along with two bottles of water and snacks.
We cleaned up the best we could and dressed, lying back against the windshield again, peering at the sky. Heads together, we munched pretzels and Cheez-Its and chatted about everything from our favorite movies to our favorite bands. Ozrik asked me about books, photography, and my time at the campground, and he told me about his history chasing tornadoes. I talked about growing up with Olivia, and he told me about his best friend Vern.
Twice, he tried to get static to jump between our fingers, but it didn’t work.
“You feel it, though, don’t you?” he asked.
“I do.”
“Zap.” He poked my nose.
“Zap.”
We didn’t get back to the motel until after midnight.
If we thought the late hour meant escaping the mob, we were wrong.
30
Ozrik
The second we parked at the motel, the two groups spilled from the command center, Vern leading the pack and Olivia close on his heels. The former looked like a charging bull, and I held my hands up in placation.
Nothing stopped my best friend’s attack.
Vern shoved me hard enough in the chest that I lost my footing and crashed into Gale. “What the hell were you thinking, asshole? You don’t fucking ditch the team.”
“You are in so much shit, Devereaux.” Olivia crossed her arms.
The rest of the gang gathered behind them, no one looking particularly pleased.
To Gale, I said, “Notice how everyone is mad at me? It’s like you never took part.”
“Because my brother would never think of doing anything like that.”
“Au contraire. Gale was right there with me. Tell them.”
Gale could barely smother a grin as he shrugged. “You guys were going the wrong way. We told you not to.”
“We weren’t,” Vern yelled.
“Um, I’m sorry, but did you see a tornado tonight?” I asked my hostile best friend. “Because we did. That cell produced, exactly like we said it would.”
“We’re supposed to be working as a team.” Maggie moved beside Vern. She clutched his arm, holding him back as though fearing he might attack me again.
“Yet everyone disregarded my input.”
“You aren’t in charge, Devereaux.” Olivia’s cheeks flamed in much the same way her brothers did when I had him aroused.
