Waves of fury, p.29
Waves of Fury, page 29
I’m going to have to run for it.
The rain drowns out the audible click of the handle. Slowly, I lift the hatch and then pounce to the asphalt, pebbles crunching underfoot. Without preamble, I take off in a sprint, heading in the opposite direction of my stalker.
Someone yells from the inky darkness behind me. Male. Angry. And now chasing after me since I gave up my location. Hoping against all hope he doesn’t have a gun, I ignore his calls, racing for the safety of the downpour.
If I can make it to there, I’m confident I can lose him.
I’ll get drenched, but at least I’ll still have my pack.
Behind me, the footsteps get louder and closer. Gritting my teeth together, I bear down and run harder, my long legs eating up the distance to my saving rain.
The cold curtain of water waiting for me is a shock to my system. I let out a yelp as every single dry part of me is immediately soaked through. My shoes splash through thick puddles as I continue to bolt from the man following me.
“Stop running!” he bellows from behind me—close, too close.
I can’t stop.
I refuse to.
That is, until I’m made to.
The man crashes into me, tackling me to the road. Every part of my body that impacts the pavement explodes with sharp pain. I cry out, struggling to crawl out from beneath my captor. With superhuman strength, the man rips my backpack off me and then rolls me onto my back.
I jerk at his hold, trying to free an arm to punch him, but all fight leaves me when I lock eyes on the person on top of me.
Even in the murky darkness, I recognize him.
He’s no stranger to me. He’s everything to me.
“Tyler?” I choke out, chest panting from exertion. “W-What are you d-doing here?”
Stupid.
Those lame words are the first ones out of my mouth to him?
“Coming after you, dumbass,” he growls. “What were you thinking?” The anger briefly abates and his voice wobbles. “How could you do that to me?”
I’m glad it’s raining now so he can’t see me openly crying. Shame and regret are thick in the air around me.
“I messed up,” I whisper, lip trembling. “I’m sorry. I know I messed up.”
The tension in his body bleeds out of him, but he doesn’t get off me. “It hurt, Kellen. So much. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry.”
I can’t help but reach up to touch his handsome face. His eyes close and he leans into it. I’ve hurt him, but I haven’t lost him. He’s here with me and responding to my touch.
“We’re stronger together,” Tyler says, eyes reopening so he can glower at me. “I thought you were smart enough to know that. We’ve been an unstoppable team since we met.”
“I know.” Guilt attacks me from every angle. “I just felt…responsible for everything bad that happened.”
“Had you talked to me about it,” he rumbles, “I’d have reminded you again and again that it wasn’t your fault. You’re a good man and leader, Kellen, but you can’t control everything that happens. Not everything is a direct result of your failures. Even if it were, me and the others care about you and would never blame you. But leaving us? That was cruel, man. Really cruel.”
“I’m sorry,” I croak out, hand sliding behind his head so I can pull him closer to me. “I’m so sorry.”
It doesn’t take much coaxing to bring his lips to mine. At first, the kiss is hesitant on his part. Then, as though he’s forgiven me with his lips alone, he devours my mouth with uncontrolled hunger. I greedily kiss this beautiful man back.
We make out, the rain unrelenting, until we’re both breathless and shivering. Tyler finally climbs off me and helps me up.
“Let’s get out of these wet clothes.” His command is husky and filled with need.
I don’t have to be told twice.
Tyler
I can’t believe I actually found him.
I’d been so ready to throttle him for leaving me, but then he apologized and it was like we were never apart. He was sorry. I could feel it. I believed it.
As Kellen strips out of his wet clothes beside the van, I make my way back over to the borrowed car I got from the people of Goodland. Inside, I grab a plastic tote filled with some blankets, food, water, a battery-powered lantern, and extra clothes. I also snag my backpack. By the time I get back to Kellen, he’s laid out his clothes on top of the van for them to dry and is waiting inside the van for me.
“Got stuff for us.” I push the tote into the space. “I’m going to get out of these clothes.”
While Kellen starts pulling stuff out of the tote, I remove my own clothes and lay them out beside his. Light illuminates from inside the van and I glance over at him to see he’s discovered the lantern. He makes quick work of putting one blanket along the floor of the van and puts the other one over his legs. I crawl inside and shut the hatch.
We don’t speak with words.
Our mouths and bodies do all the silent talking.
He pulls me to his chilled, naked body and then yanks the covers over both of us. We’re both hard and aching for each other, the two of us grinding shamelessly against each other’s dicks.
“So good,” Kellen murmurs against my mouth. “You’re so perfect, Tyler.”
“Did you find the lube?”
He pulls back to frown at me. “You have lube?”
I manage to grab hold of the tub and pull it to its side. Then I rummage around until I find the bottle. Kellen chuckles at my find.
“Priorities,” I say with a smirk. “The people of Goodland do not disappoint. Their access to useful supplies is admirable.”
A dark look flickers over his features. “Where are the others? Your brothers?”
“Shh,” I murmur. “I don’t want to talk about them right now.”
Our mouths meet again.
Everything around me disappears until it’s just me and him.
Making love.
Uniting in the most intimate of ways.
We both murmur professions of love and promises of a future together. It’s everything I’ve ached for and more.
I love this man and he loves me too.
I feel it in my soul that what he’s saying is true. He’s not going to ever leave me again.
After we finally peak together and are drained of all energy, we lie quietly together, hearts beating in tandem.
I stroke my fingers through his wet hair, relaxed and happy here with him. He presses adoring kisses on my chest, collarbone, and neck.
“Thank you for coming for me,” he whispers against my flesh. “I’m sorry you had to, but I’m grateful you did. You’re right. I do need you.” He sucks in a deep breath and then sighs.
“But?”
“But I still need to find my brother. Will you come with me?”
I relax at his question. “You don’t have to ask. I’m with you until the end.”
“What about your brothers?” he asks, voice nearly a whisper.
“We’ll see them again. Once we get to Ransom and deem it safe, we can have them join us.”
“And if it’s not safe?”
“Then we go back,” I tell him firmly. “Like you said in your letter, Goodland is a hospitable, safe place. It has a future.”
“Did you steal the car?”
I snort out a laugh. “Nah. Didn’t have to. Mary lent me hers.”
“Lent?”
“In a week, Aaron and the rest of our group will be riding out with a couple of Goodland people. If it’s safe and welcoming, they’ll stay with us, and the Goodland people will drive both cars back.”
Kellen sits up and finds some fast-food napkins stuffed in the side door pocket. He uses them to clean us both up. Then he makes sure I drink some water before tucking us both into bed. I curl around him, inhaling his unique scent. The deodorant he wore has faded and I’m awarded the faint smell of his musk that I secretly love.
“Get some rest,” Kellen murmurs. “We’ll pull this Band-Aid off first thing in the morning. If he’s not there, we’ll be back to the others by dinner tomorrow night. Either way, tomorrow we’ll know where our destiny leads us next.”
“As long as it’s with you, I don’t care where we go.”
Kellen takes my hand, threading his fingers with mine. “I love you, Tyler.”
My heart trembles with happiness at hearing his words.
“I love you too.”
Kellen is tense as he sits ramrod straight in the passenger seat. We’re nearing Ransom and everything around us is utterly devastated by tornadoes. Homes have been stripped to studs, trees are nothing but sticks in the ground, and debris litters the land everywhere.
I get a sinking feeling in my gut.
Apparently, Kellen feels the same because he nervously drums his knuckles on the side window and fidgets in his seat. I want to assure him that his family and their farm are fine, but I’m not one to give false hope.
As we pass through the tiny town of Collyer, Kansas, we marvel at the fact that the brick church is the only thing left standing. Someone has tagged the brick with a spray can.
The end is here. Repent before it’s too late.
Several men step out of the church, shotguns in hand, and watch us with warning stares as we pass. We give them a respectful nod but don’t slow for a second.
The rain has long stopped, but the wind continues to blow. It’s hazy, smoke from nearby fires cloaking the white vehicle in soot. Knowing we’re able to drive through these things rather than Kellen walk them alone is relieving to say the least.
We soon turn off Old Highway 40 onto 531 that’ll take us straight south into Ransom. According to the map, we have about another thirty to forty-five minutes before we reach town.
Kellen grows more and more anxious as we drive. We left this morning before sunrise, not bothering to eat breakfast. Now, my stomach growls and I wonder if we should take a break.
“I’ll find us some food,” Kellen grunts. “Keep driving.”
He reaches into the back, rummages around, and then returns with a bag Mary sent me with. Inside are some blueberry muffins, homemade jerky strips, and some nuts. We eat as we ride in contemplative silence.
I’m nervous about meeting Knox. His family doesn’t sound as if they’re close like me and my brothers are. What if Knox rejects me? Or worse yet, what if he rejects his own brother?
A sick feeling twists my gut, making the muffins sour in my stomach.
No matter what, me and Kellen will be together. It’ll be in Ransom or Goodland or some other place. Regardless, we’ll be together.
The town of Ransom isn’t much to look at. It’s old and pretty bare save for a couple of churches, a bank, a restaurant, and a school. In a blink, we drive through the main part of town without issue and are on the outskirts. When we come to a dirt road, Kellen motions for me to pull over.
“Is this it?” I ask, gesturing at the small wooden sign with the name Bennett and the road number carved on it.
He nods and then turns a pleading look my way. “Let me go alone. In case there’s trouble.”
I snort out a laugh. “Really?”
Without answering, he climbs out of the passenger side and meets me on the driver’s side. He opens the door and reaches in to unbuckle my seat belt. Anger quells up inside me as I climb out.
“Was everything we talked about a lie?” I demand, hurt making my voice quiver.
He drops into the seat and then rests his head on the steering wheel. I stand nearby, arms crossed over my chest, waiting for an answer. My fingers twitch with the urge to rub the tension out of his shoulders, but I’m mad at him, so I refrain.
“Kellen,” I grit out. “Talk to me. You promised.”
He sits up and lets out a heavy sigh before casting me such a heartbroken expression that all anger evaporates out of me. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t a lie. I do want you with me. It’s just…”
“It’s just what?” I frown as I consider another possibility. “Are you embarrassed of me? That you’re with a man?”
He gapes at me as though I’ve slapped him. “What? No. Of course not. I’m just nervous as hell to see what’s become of my uncle’s farm. I think I’m afraid you’ll see me as some big failure.”
He sure is dense sometimes.
I close his car door and then trot around to the passenger side. I sit down and then reach across to take his hand in mine.
“We can face this—face anything,” I vow, my words fierce, “as long as we do it together. You’ll never be alone again, Kellen. Got it?”
His lips curl into a sheepish grin. “Yeah, I got it.”
My lips meet his for a quick, reassuring kiss. Then I squeeze his hand and nod toward the dirt road. “Let’s do this.”
Kellen
Once I successfully turn the dials on the combination padlock that’s never changed all these years, I unlatch the gate and then drive through, a sense of peace washing over me. Tyler was right. No matter what happens here this morning, I’ll still have him. I’ll still have our group of friends and his brothers. We have people who we can live with in Goodland. Not all hope is lost.
Uncle Mason and Aunt Beth’s farmhouse comes into view. So many fond memories came from our visits here. It was the country living part I loved without all the stressful hard work that came with living on Dad’s ranch. I’d always wished Dad would relax like Uncle Mason and live life rather than try to control its every move.
A man carrying a shotgun comes into view. Beside him is a woman with a ball cap that says “toxic positivity,” whatever that means. Both of them are tense as I drive the vehicle right up to the house, parking in the same spot Dad used to.
The man with the strong build and wide shoulders is the same one I held in my arms when I was just twelve years old. I’d marveled at the tiny little thing that had an impressive set of lungs as it wailed. When I’d spoken to him and said, “Nice to meet you, little brother,” he stopped crying and looked at me with wide, curious eyes. Right then, in the hospital near our house, I fell in love with the little guy. I whispered a vow to protect him forever and always.
Somewhere along the way, I forgot that vow.
Slowly, so as not to get myself shot, I climb out of the car. Recognition burns bright in Knox’s eyes and he gapes at me in wonder.
Not fury.
Not disgust.
Wondrous pleasure.
“Hey, little brother.” I yank the big guy to me, hugging him so tight I’m sure I’ll crack a rib or two. Thankfully, he’s as solid as an ox.
Knox doesn’t respond, just holds me tight, his entire body tense. I’m flooded with fond memories of our shared childhood and the bond we formed.
“I knew I’d find you,” I rasp out, though it’s a lie.
“I’m so glad you did.” His voice is deep and gravelly, reminding me of Dad’s, but there’s still a hint of the vulnerable kid lurking beneath. My kid brother.
I was filled with complete doubt I’d ever see him again until this moment.
But I did find him. We found each other.
“Where’s Dad?” I ask, pulling away to look at my brother.
His features pinch and he shakes his head. Dad’s not here. I’m sure I’ll get the full story later, but the unspoken words are: he didn’t make it. I expect to feel relief, but I only feel sadness. Despite his cruelty and controlling nature, he was still my father.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur and mean it. I glance up at the farmhouse. “Uncle Mason and Aunt Beth?”
He steps back and hands the rifle to the woman, who watches me curiously. “He died a while back. Cancer. Dad never told us.”
I wince at his words. Uncle Mason was the father I always craved to have. “Okay, wow. That sucks.”
The woman cocks her head to the side as she studies me. Still, Knox doesn’t introduce us.
“Aunt Beth is here. She’s still in her room. Harper is too.”
Finally, Miss Toxic Positivity steps forward and offers me her hand. “I’m Ava. Harper joined us recently. We’re looking after her.”
Knox’s cheeks slightly redden and the sappy grin that curls his lips up makes me chuckle. She’s more than just Ava. She’s his woman. From what I can tell, she’s fierce, protective, and beyond gorgeous.
“Didn’t know they made such beautiful women in Texas,” I say to Knox. “What’s more impressive is you found one to couple up with.”
Knox snorts, relaxing with the banter. “She had no choice. Lack of options.”
She rolls her eyes as though we’re the most annoying men on the planet, which makes us both laugh. Then she skirts her gaze over to Tyler, who’s quietly exited the car. “And you are?”
Before he can answer, I beam Tyler’s way. “Tyler’s my boyfriend. We’re in love.”
It’s probably shocking for my brother to hear and quite frankly it’s shocking that I blurted it out, but it’s the truth. I don’t want to hide who I am. I want to shout it from the rooftops.
“I’m the only one who can put up with his body odor,” Tyler says with a smirk. “He truly is the lucky one in this relationship.”
Everyone laughs and for the first time since I saw that wall of water while in my office, I’m flooded with overwhelming joy and peace.
I’m home.
With family.
And the love of my possibly short life.
After a hearty lunch Aunt Beth prepared, I once again marvel over Knox’s survival story. They went through so much to get here. His story, though different, isn’t that much different than mine. I’d been happy to learn that although Dad hadn’t made it out of there, Knox’s good friend, Tony, had, which was a miracle and one I’m grateful for. In fact, according to Knox, Tony and his mom are set up in an RV somewhere on Aunt Beth’s land. Even Knox’s loud-ass horse, Rooster, survived. That one I’m sure I’ll come to regret later.
“Tell me more about Pretzel.” Harper, the dark-haired little girl they pretty much adopted, is staring at me with pleading eyes. Though only seven or eight, she reminds me a bit of Hailey.
