Page 34 of Through the Storms

“You’re too kind,” Oakley said. “We’ll see what tune you’re whistling by the end of the week.”

CHAPTER 15

Chloe held her coffeecup with both hands and blew. A blast of steam rose toward her face. It was the only amenity in the motel, so she was going to get her money’s worth. Granted, the cup was chipped and the coffeepot looked like something out of the eighties, but if the aroma was any indication, the dark liquid had potential.

She blew one more time before she brought the cup to her lips.Damn.It was good.Black gold.It might grow hair on a trucker’s arms, but that was how she liked it. None of those frou-frou drinks for her, she drank her coffee black.

She’d been the first one up and had already taken a walk to get her blood pumping. Now she relied on the coffee to finish the job. Chloe sat on a rickety chair several yards from the motel office and watched the comings and goings of the other guests. Riley still hadn’t surfaced.

Last night, they hadn’t gotten around to watching TV; instead, they’d talked and laughed late into the night. Maybe the universewas smiling on Chloe, giving her such a companionable travel partner. She’d felt an immediate connection to Riley. There was something in her soft hazel eyes and her easy smile that made Chloe feel safe.Weird.Safe wasn’t usually a word she used when describing a friend, but as emotionally beat up as she’d felt lately, safe was exactly what she craved.

She looked up. Nothing but blue skies in every direction. Surely, that wouldn’t bode well for today. Although, Oakley had cautioned them that a tornado could spring up seemingly out of nowhere.

Lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard anyone walk up until an enthusiastic voice said, “Good morning, Chloe.”

Chloe looked up into Oakley’s smiling face. “Good morning.” Chloe held up her cup. “Did you get any coffee?”

Oakley crinkled her nose. “You’re drinking that sludge?”

Chloe laughed. “The thicker the better.”

Oakley pretended to appraise Chloe and then nodded. “I see. So there’s grit under that soft exterior.”

“You betcha.” Chloe grinned.

“Noted.” Oakley pointed at the chair next to Chloe. “Mind if I join you?” She held up a bottle of Mountain Dew. “My caffeine of choice.”

“Please.” Chloe gestured to the chair as if she were hosting Oakley in her own home. Her cheeks heated when she realized how it must have come off.

Chloe’s actions didn’t seem to faze Oakley, who flopped into the chair and took a giant gulp of her soda. She let out a satisfied sigh and said, “I love this shit. My girlfriend keeps after me to quit, but it’s my vice.” Oakley’s mischievous brown eyes twinkled. “I keep telling her it could be Red Bull or Monster.”

“There’s not that much difference,” Chloe said without thinking who she was talking to.

“Damn it.” Oakley laughed. “That’s exactly what Lana says, but I’m holding my ground.” As if to emphasize her rebellion, she took another drink from her bottle. “It keeps me focused for the chase.”

“How long have you been chasing?”

A huge smile spread across Oakley’s face. “Since I got my driver’s license.” She stretched her long legs out in front of her, leaned back in her chair, and stared into the clear sky. “I started dragging Asher out with Mom and Dad’s car as soon as they let us borrow it.” Oakley laughed an easy laugh. “Mom and Dad thought we were out chasing girls. Little did they know.”

“They never found out?”

“Oh, they found out, all right.” Oakley smirked. “We got caught in a hailstorm. Hail the size of baseballs.”

“Baseballs?”

Oakley nodded and cupped her hand as if she were holding a ball. “Enormous.” She met Chloe’s gaze. “Do you know what damage hail that size can cause?”

Chloe couldn’t begin to guess, but she flinched at the thought of one hitting her.

Oakley smiled. “You just imagined it, didn’t you?”

“I did.” Chloe was surprised she didn’t feel more embarrassed at getting caught.

“Flinching is the right reaction. Hail that size can reach a speed of over a hundred miles an hour. It’s like a major league pitcher throwing a baseball at the car.”

“This story isn’t going to end well, is it?” Chloe smiled.

“Grounded for a month.” Oakley leaned over as if she were going to tell Chloe a secret. She lowered her voice and said, “You should have seen the epic dents in Dad’s truck. They were so cool.”