Page 20 of Through the Storms

“You want a house.”

“Is that all you think I want?”

Crap.Was this a trick question? “No,” Oakley said. She knew it was the right answer, but she wasn’t sure why.

“Okay, then explain it to me.”

Oh, fuck.“Um, well, you thought that I would think of you first and use my money to buy a house for us.”

Lana snorted. “Nice try. Saying the same thing with added words doesn’t mean you understood a goddamned thing.”

Oakley threw her hands into the air, even though Lana couldn’t see it. “Fine. You’re right. I don’t fully understand why you’re so angry.”

“You put storm chasing before me. Before us. And each time I think it’ll change, I’m met with more broken promises. There’s always another excuse.”

“Goddamn it, you’re always my priority. But we used to have the same dream, the same goal, back when you chased with me. We were going to be the ones that made a breakthrough. Unlocked the mystery. Saved lives. But now you’d rather sit in the studio, smile for the camera, and look pretty.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone, and at first, Oakley thought Lana had hung up until she heard breathing.

“Are you going to say something?” Oakley asked.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It wouldn’t be helpful.”

“I know you have something you want to say.” When Lana still didn’t respond, Oakley said, “Just say it.”

“Are you really sure you want me to?” Lana’s voice held a cold edge.

“Yes.”

“Fine. Go to hell, Oakley.”

Whoa.That wasn’t what Oakley expected. “I guess I deserved that.”

“That’s why I didn’t want to do this on the phone,” Lana choked out. The pain and tears were evident in her voice.

“Babe, don’t cry. What can I do to fix this? Name it. I’ll do it.” Oakley hoped her words didn’t come out as desperate as she felt.

“Some things aren’t fixable.”

“Please, don’t say that.”

“They’re not fixable in a fifteen-minute phone call.”

“Point taken, but I can delay rolling out.”

“I can’t. I have to cover for Starla in twenty minutes.” Lana paused. “You know, smile for the camera and look pretty.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.

“I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it.”

Lana sighed. “I think you did. It’s what you think of me. While you ran around chasingourdream, I’m the one who had to be an adult. The responsible one that paid the bills while you built your business. Only for you to end up thinking I’ve become a plastic, brainless bobblehead.”

Where the hell was this coming from? Lana had never said any of these things to Oakley before; she’d always supportedeverything Oakley did. “You can’t possibly believe that’s what I think of you.”

“Can’t I? You just said it. Besides, you go out and buy a storm-chasing car without even consulting me. Without even asking my advice. Not as your partner or a colleague. Answer me one question.”