Page 28 of Through the Storms

“Are they storm chasers?”

“Were. Joel died.”

“Tornado?”

“Drug overdose.”

“Oh, thank god.” Chloe put her hand over her mouth. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“I know,” Riley said. “It was sad. Unfortunately, some storm chasers that thrive on adrenaline live recklessly.”

“But this Reed guy is still alive?”

“Yep. The man is insane. Did you ever watchStorm Chaserson the Discovery Channel?”

“Oh, my god.” Chloe bounced in her seat. “I remember him. He had that wild car…the… uh…”

“The Dominator.”

“Yes! That’s it.” Chloe grabbed Riley’s arm and shook it. “That’s where Oakley came up with the idea for the Oakanator, isn’t it?”

“I’m assuming. We could ask her.”

“No, I don’t want to bother her.” Chloe nodded toward the front. “Looks like she’s studying the radar.”

“We can ask her later.” Riley pulled a notebook out of her backpack. “Speaking of studying, are you up for it?”

“Sure,” Chloe said without much enthusiasm. Was it Riley’s subtle hint that she was embarrassed by Chloe’s ignorance? Who was she kidding? She didn’t belong here. The others were storm-chasing junkies and knew who Timmer was, and she’d signed up on a whim. How irresponsible was that? She’d talk to Oakley when they arrived in Wichita and take a bus back to Oklahoma City. If she were lucky, she could be back in Summerton before midnight.

“Hey…Hey,” Riley said. Chloe snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at Riley. A deep line etched Riley’s forehead. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

“I’m sorry….I…uh…maybe I don’t know enough to be here.”

Riley smiled. “You aren’t leading the group, are you?”

Chloe knew Riley was right, but still Chloe’s lack of knowledge worried her. What if something happened on the trip, and she didn’t know what to do? “Well, no, but I don’t want to be a liability.”

Riley tilted her head toward the front of the van where Oakley and Britt were talking quietly. “They know what they’re doing. Oakley said she didn’t expect any of us to be experts going in.”

“But I’m sure she expected us to know something.” Chloe’s palms were damp, and her heart rate accelerated. Dennis was right. She was an idiot.

“Whoa.” Riley put a steadying hand on Chloe’s arm. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I think you’re getting yourself worked up for nothing. Talk to me. We were having a blast earlier. What’s changed?”

Chloe took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She refused to do this. She’d never had a panic attack in her life, but recently, she’d skated dangerously close to one. Her therapist explained Chloe needed to work through the damage from her toxic marriage.

Chloe opened her eyes. “You must be rethinking being my seat mate.” Chloe put on a smile to pretend it was a joke.

Riley broke into one of her easy smiles, which comforted Chloe. “Nope. Not rethinking it at all.” Riley held up hernotebook. “Although, you might change your mind after you study with me.”

“Bring it on.” Chloe let out her breath, and a calm washed over her.

Riley flipped open her notebook and leafed through the pages.

Holy shit.There must be at least ten pages of notes. Chloe had jotted only a few notes on the small notepad that was left on the table.

Riley clutched the notebook to her chest, and two small red patches dotted her cheeks. “Um, I guess you think this was excessive, huh?” Riley suddenly appeared much smaller as she folded in on herself and hunkered into the corner of the seat.

“Excessive? Nah, but I’m feeling like a slacker.”