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ten

Penelope

“ M om!” Kai screams as the lightning flashes, lighting up the sky after the power just went out.

“Stay there, I’ll come with a flashlight!” I call to them.

Using my phone’s flashlight, I rush into the kitchen, grab the actual flashlight from under the sink, and head to the boys.

Both are on his bed.

This storm came out of nowhere and arrived with a vengeance. The wind is howling, and the sound of the rain pounding against the roof has me hoping the house is strong enough to withstand it.

A loud crack comes from outside and then a crash.

They both yell and I rush to them, pulling them into my arms. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” I say over and over.

There’s a groaning noise, and I’m terrified to see what the hell came down outside, but either way, I don’t have a great feeling about staying here.

“Come on, let’s go to the back of the house.”

There are fewer trees there, and if that was a branch that came down out there, I don’t want us to be near it.

I get them settled in the bathtub and give them the lantern. I remember something about storms and that being the safest place. “Can you boys stay here? I want to go look outside and see if there’s any damage.”

“We’ll stay,” Kai promises .

“Okay, just sit tight.”

Once I close the door, I look down at my shaking hands. I hate storms. I’ve always hated them, and having Kai and Ethan here is making this one especially bad. I close my eyes for a second, take a few deep breaths, and focus on going to check on things.

When I open the front door, my worst fear is real. Either the wind or lightning hit the tree at the end of the walkway, and a large branch is dangling. One gust of wind and it could fall on the house or my car.

I rush back inside and grab my phone to call Hazel. I need to get out of here, but I’m not sure where to go.

As I’m scrolling to her contact, Miles’s name pops up on my screen.

“Hello?”

“Penny, it’s Miles. Listen, I just got a notification that lightning struck right behind you. Are you guys okay?”

“No, I mean, we’re okay, but it hit here, too, and we have no power. I need to get the boys out of here. There’s a huge tree limb hanging over the front of the house.”

“I’m coming.”

“No! You can’t come here. This storm is absolutely horrific,” I say quickly.

“Get the boys, get in the car, start driving to that clearing at the end of your street. I’m on my way there now,” he commands.

“I can’t. I’m not even sure it’s safe to get to the car.”

Right where the tree branch dangles over the vehicle.

“Then I’ll get to you.” The sound of his engine igniting is in the background. “I’ll be there in four minutes. Get whatever you need and then go to a safe place in the house. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

I nod, even though he can’t see it, relief filling me. “Okay, but please be careful.”

“I’m fine.”

I head into Kai’s room, tossing some stuff in a bag and grabbing Ethan’s. Then I do the same for myself, grabbing some essentials and my burner phone. I send a quick text to Quinn, letting him know what’s happening and where we’re going. We communicate about locations on that phone.

There’s a horrible storm and we had some issues. I’m going to stay with a neighbor with Kai and his friend until it’s done. Ethan is Kai’s friend, and the neighbor is his uncle.

Quinn

You’re okay, though?

Yes. We need to leave, the lightning hit a tree out front and it’s been really scary.

Quinn

Be safe, Penelope.

Always. Do I take this phone?

Quinn

Yes. Especially because you’ll be gone overnight.

I really hate bringing the burner anywhere. When I’m home, Quinn says it doesn’t matter, because he can find me easily. It’s for when I’m not and the internet is not secure.

Okay. I’ll text you tomorrow and let you know what’s going on. Love you.

Quinn

Love you too.

A few seconds later a new text comes through.

Quinn

Ashton wants to know if the uncle is who she thinks it is ... now I’d like to know what that means as well .

If I could, I would kill Ashton for this.

Tell her thanks a lot and yes it is.

Quinn

I’m going to assume I don’t want to know what this is because she just squealed.

You probably don’t.

I unlock the front door and head into the bathroom, where the boys are. “We’re going to Miles’s house to ride out the storm. There’s a big tree out front, so we’re going to be super careful, okay?”

“Okay, Mom,” Kai says as they both nod.

“All right, we’re going to stay in the bathroom until he gets here and tells us it’s safe.”

There’s a banging on the door, and then I hear Miles. “Penny?”

“We’re in the back bathroom!”

“Are you guys okay?” he asks loudly.

“Yes, we’re coming out.” I look to the boys. “Grab your bags and stay behind me.”

The three of us file out and find Miles in the hallway. “Uncle Miles!” Ethan yells, and Miles moves toward us.

He scoops him up and then grabs the bag from Kai. “Hey, little man.”

“Hi, Coach.”

“Do you have everything?” Miles asks me.

“Yes, this is it.”

“Okay, the branch is definitely weak, so we’re going to stay to the left of the tree and go to my car. Penny, where are your keys?”

I dig in my purse and grab my car keys. “Here.”

“I want you to get the boys in my truck, and I’m going to move yours.”

A part of me wants to argue with him, but by the look in his eyes, I can see that’s a losing battle.

I pull the two boys in front of me, and we follow Miles out. He leads us to the left and has to yell over the wind. “Run to the truck!”

The three of us do just that, the wind whipping my hair in my face and the rain soaking through my shirt. This is like hurricane-force gusts. We get to the door and I pull it open, holding it so the boys can climb in the back.

As I’m getting around to the passenger side, my car backs up quickly, and just as he gets close, the sound is unlike anything I’ve heard—loud cracking as the tree branch gives and crashes right where my car was parked.

Miles keeps coming to where I am, the window down, and he yells, “Drive my truck, and follow me!”

Giving me no room to argue, he keeps moving so he’s now positioned in front of me in my very old, very not cute, but very paid off, car.

I hop in his incredibly luxurious pickup truck and have to move the seat forward so I can touch the pedals.

The lightning dances across the sky again, illuminating just how much debris has fallen.

I follow him down the road, moving around the fallen branches and leaves painting the dangerously slick street.

We pull up to his house and I park behind him. Immediately he’s out of my car and walking to my door.

“All you guys get inside. I’ll grab the bags,” Miles informs us.

I want to argue, but my nerves are shot. He helps me out and I grab both boys’ hands. When we get inside, Ethan flips the light on.

How the hell does he have power?

A few seconds later, a dripping-wet Miles comes through the door, putting our bags down.

“You have a generator?” I ask.

“I have a whole-home one that keeps the house as though we have normal power.”

That’s pretty nice. “Thank you for coming to get us. I was worried, especially because I have Ethan too.”

He smiles warmly. “Of course, I would’ve come regardless if you had him or not. I would never let you both stay like that. ”

My gaze drops to my feet, and I fight back the warmth flooding my cheeks. “Well, that’s incredibly sweet.”

“I told you, I’m a great catch.”

I laugh and meet his eyes. “You did tell me that.”

“Uncle Miles, can we go in the big guest room?”

“No. You and Kai can take the room next to mine, and Miss Penelope can have the big one.”

“It’s okay,” I say quickly.

“No, that room is much more comfortable. The boys are able to rough it for a night, right? I bet they can build a fort in there.”

Kai nods quickly. “Sure thing! Come on, Ethan, let’s go build one!”

The two of them rush off. “Here, I’ll show you to the room so you can change.”

Miles grabs my bag and I follow behind him, my clothes making a swooshing noise from being soaked through.

His house is definitely not what I pictured. It’s simple, masculine, but also really mature at the same time. The whole place is a warm taupe color and looks like it was newly renovated. The floors are a light oak, and he has a lot of blacks and grays that give such a nice contrast.

He opens a door, moving so I can step through. “This is the big room, as Ethan calls it.”

The room is spacious, more of what I would expect for a main bedroom with a cathedral ceiling and exposed wood beams.

“This is gorgeous,” I say, taking it all in.

In the center of the room is a king-size bed with rattan furniture accent pieces.

“Thanks, Eloise is an interior designer. She loves to spend my money.”

“Is she really?”

That’s what I went to school for. My dream was to work for a firm and design average people’s homes. I wanted to find a way to make a space feel elegant on a budget. I would’ve been great at it, at least I think so. I just never got to try.

“Yup. She sold her company when she got pregnant with Ethan, but still helps anyone who she can bully into it.” He leans against the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest. “When I bought this place, I knew it was a total gut job. We took everything down to the studs and rebuilt. Eloise was all too happy to redesign this place into a masculine retreat in the woods, as she calls it.”

“She did a great job,” I say, walking around.

“I agree, as much as I hate to say that.”

I laugh once. “It really sucks when your sibling is good at something and you have to admit it.”

“Absolutely, she’s gotten used to having to do it with me, though.”

“Has she?” I ask with a grin.

“Yeah, I mean, there’s very little I’m not good at. It’s almost like she was surrounded by my perfection so she just ... accepts that I’m good at most things.”

I laugh. “Your humility is really in check.”

He winks. “I agree. You take as much time as you need. I’m going to change and get the boys set. Whenever you’re done, I’ll be in the living room.”

I pull my lower lip between my teeth and bob my head. “Okay.”

Miles closes the door, his eyes staying on mine until the last moment. When it’s finally shut, I exhale and cover my mouth with my hand. What am I doing? I’m staying the night here? I mean, my alternative was at the house with falling trees, but still, this is ... not a great idea because it’s Miles.

The guy I like or ... maybe like.

Definitely the guy I’m attracted to.

Gah.

Okay, think, breathe, focus. I can do this.

First thing, I need to get out of these wet clothes and then call Eloise to let her know we’re safe and at her brother’s house.

I pull out the sweatsuit I grabbed and head into the bathroom. This room is double what I have at the house. It’s a beautiful beige slate, almost feels like the slate has been here since the dawn of time. Between the double sinks there’s a large window that looks toward the woods, everything is pitch black except when the lightning illuminates the sky.

I tug my sopping-wet shirt off and hang it in the shower, then my pants, and put my dry clothes on. Once I find my phone in my purse, I dial Eloise’s number.

“Hey, are you guys okay?” she asks as soon as she answers.

“Yes, we’re fine. I just wanted to let you know we came to Miles’s house.”

“Oh, good! I was hoping you might, because he has that generator. We have the same one, and I was going to offer if you could make it here.”

Eloise lives on the other side of the valley, and I’m honestly not sure I would’ve. “It’s really bad out, so I’m grateful we’re here now. He came up to get us because of the tree outside my house. It was ... well, terrifying.”

She lets out a weary sigh. “I’m so sorry, Penny. I didn’t know we were going to get a storm like this or I never would’ve sent Ethan. You’re okay, though?”

“I’m good now.”

“Okay. If you need me to get Ethan, just tell me.”

“No! He’s fine. We’re with Miles, and honestly, no one should be driving in this storm.”

To further punctuate that point, the thunder booms so loud I swear the house shakes.

“Yeah, I would agree there.” Cora lets out a huge wail, and I hear Eloise trying to shush her. “I should go. Cora isn’t enjoying the storm. Call me if you need anything and stay safe.”

“You too.”

We hang up, and I head out to the guest room, where the boys are. They’ve transformed the room into sheets and blankets hanging off things. “You boys okay?”

Kai’s head pops out from the bottom between two sheets. “We built a fort.”

“I see that.”

“Coach Miles helped!”

I smile. “That’s nice. Do you need anything?”

“No, but I’m sorry to say this to you, Mom. No girls allowed in the fort.”

I back up, raising my hands. “I see, well, have fun in the fort.”

“We will!” he says before disappearing under whatever they’ve created in there. I walk back down the hallway toward the center of the house. The house seemed to split like a Y. When we entered, we went to the left part where the bedrooms are. I’m assuming the other branch is where the kitchen and living room are.

Sure enough, it is.

Miles is sitting on the couch. He changed out of his wet clothes into a white T-shirt and blue joggers. He looks relaxed, sexy, and like a freaking ad for a men’s underwear collection. His legs are propped up on the coffee table, and he has his phone in his hand with his black-rimmed glasses on, television on mute.

Seriously, I just wish he wasn’t so freaking appealing. Why is he so hot with those glasses on?

He’s sexy without trying and my stomach clenches.

No, no stomach clenching allowed. Keep it together, Penny. He’s a friend. He’s not delicious and completely fuckable. He’s ... off-limits.

“Hey,” I say softly, entering the room.

He puts his phone down and looks up with a smile. “Hey, did you see the boys?”

“I did. They are very happy in their fort where no girls are allowed.”

He chuckles. “Last time Ethan built one, it was adults, so this is no doubt thanks to Kai. Make yourself comfortable.”

I don’t know that that’s going to happen, but I come around and sit in the corner of the sectional. “Thank you again.”

“Penelope, you don’t have to thank me. I would never let you sit in that house like that.”

“You didn’t know the tree was going to fall,” I say, tilting my head.

“No, but I knew there was a chance something could be wrong. I know the area pretty well and could see the bolts striking all around.”

“It felt like the ground was cracking,” I say, shuddering a little.

Miles pulls his glasses off, tossing them on the table as he sits up fully on the couch. “I’m not really a fan of storms, but this one is pretty wild. So much so that I was slightly afraid at one point.”

“Only slightly?” I ask, pulling my legs underneath me.

“Do you want me to admit that I almost shit my pants?”

I shrug. “Maybe. ”

“I didn’t.”

I laugh. “Okay then. I’m pretty sure I would’ve if that branch fell while we were in the house.”

“You don’t have to worry now. You’re here.”

I am, and I’m not sure I don’t have to worry.

“Right.”

There’s a moment of awkward silence, and then he reaches for the remote. “The cable is out, but I can pull up some stuff I downloaded.”

“Whatever you want.” I’m not a big television person. Mostly because it’s fake, stupid, and I can’t afford it. So we tend to read or do outdoor activities as much as we can.

“They’re mostly superhero movies,” he warns.

“You would love my brother,” I say with a laugh. “It’s all he watches and usually the same ones on repeat.”

He chuckles and then pushes play on one. “Do you want popcorn or anything?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Okay. I’m grabbing chips because we have to have something to do with our hands.”

My eyes widen. “We do?”

“Well, I do. Otherwise I might reach over and think this is a date, where I could hold your hand.” He laughs, indicating it’s a joke, but ... is it?

And why does the idea of that make my stomach drop?

I don’t want this to be a date because it can’t be. It’s not. It’s a storm.

Dear Lord, I need to stop this thinking.

While he’s in the kitchen, I mentally prepare myself to watch a movie, at his house, while the boys are playing. That’s all this is.

It’s a nice guy who came to my rescue because of the storm, not another coincidence date thing.

Since that’s not even a thing.

When he comes back in and sits on the couch, I need to dissuade him of this whole date thing, since it’s not one. “If this was a date, it would be going pretty terrible, don’t you think?”

Miles shifts, his joggers tight against his thighs, and I can see the thick muscles there. “Or ... it could be going pretty freaking amazing. I mean, you’re here, it’s late, and you’re staying the night.”

He waggles his brows and I burst out laughing. “Because of the storm.”

“Again, happy coincidence.”

I lean back into the couch, not even capable of hiding my smile. “You’re relentless.”

“I am.”

I let out a long sigh, hating that the reality of my life means I can’t date him, no matter how charming, attractive, and kind he is. Miles can never really know the truth of my past. He stands to get killed, and I couldn’t live with that.

Also, I don’t even know that we’d work, and then what? If things end badly, I’d have to leave Ember Falls, which I know is a possibility anyway, but I don’t want a breakup to be the reason.

Kai and I like it here. It’s not perfect, but the last few weeks have been easy and felt more like a home than Tennessee ever did.

“Miles, look, I ...” I scoot forward onto the edge of the couch. How do I even say this? I just have to be as honest as I can. “I don’t have the greatest track record with men, and I’ve been hurt really badly. It’s just ... not a good idea for me to get involved in a relationship right now.”

“I’m not asking for anything. I’d just like to be your friend, and if that leads to more, then ... so be it.”

I stare into his green eyes, wanting so badly to be someone else. A girl who doesn’t look at a man and wonder whether he has a jealous streak. Or whether he’s a man who seems perfect in the beginning, only to reveal flaws that you explain away, making you complicit in them.

I did that with Edward.

When he would yell, it was always something I did to provoke it.

When he first touched me in anger, it was because I asked too many questions and should’ve let him be.

It was my fault he would scream and have me cowering in a corner. It was something that was wrong with me.

It wasn’t until I found out I was having Kai that I realized the only thing I did wrong was stay and allow him any excuse.

Miles moves closer, leaning in slowly, and my heart begins to race. His eyes are like liquid smoke, and I could get lost in them.

“Just friends,” I remind him.

“Just friends.”

He keeps coming. The heat of his body starts to warm other parts of me, and ... oh, God. He just said he wanted to be friends and understands, but now he’s definitely looking like he’s going to kiss me.

I’m still for a moment, not wanting to misread this and look stupid. He stops when he’s close enough that I can smell the scent of clean soap, and his cologne of sandalwood, amber, and sage fills me.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t move.

I can’t let him kiss me.

Miles watches me, not moving or speaking, and I know I have to stop this.

“You just said you wanted to be friends and understood ...” I barely croak out, my throat tight. “Now you look like you’re going to kiss me.”

He smiles. “What, you don’t kiss all your friends?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t.”

He leans back instantly, chuckling a little. “That’s too bad. I think it should be something you consider for our friendship at least.”

I grin and the nerves subside as he goes back to his spot on the couch, trying to decipher if I’m relieved he didn’t kiss me or disappointed. I’m not sure which one is winning out.