Page 83 of Through the Storms

Riley gripped the letter tighter. This couldn’t be happening. She was getting whiplash as the note went from it wasincredibletono.

I know this letter will make you feel bad, but please don’t. This is truly all on me. I know it sucks when someone says, it’s me not you. But in this case, it’s true.

I should never have toyed with your emotions this way, and I hope one day you will find it in your heart to forgive me.

I don’t want to ruin anyone’s trip or cause a scandal. I thought of leaving, but that wouldn’t be fair to you to have everyone looking at you for answers. I’ve been selfish enough. I won’t put that on you.

Riley’s pulse slowed. At least Chloe wasn’t going to run away. The thought of never seeing her again or having the opportunity to make this right made it difficult for Riley to breathe.

I will leave it up to you whether you would like me to see if Sandy and Peggy would switch seats with us. And I’ll discreetly get my own room for the rest of the trip.

Please know you’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met, and you deserve all the good the world has to offer.

With warmest regards,

Chloe

Riley swiped tears from her cheeks. She’d been unaware that she’d been crying until the drops rolled over her lips.Fuck.Anger bubbled under the surface. How fucked up was this?

No.She took three cleansing breaths. There was no way that she’d let anger rule her. She wasn’t her father. It would be hard, but she could do this. She’d be gracious and pretend nothing had happened. She’d show Chloe that she could be the bigger person. Then maybe it would wake Chloe up, make her change her mind.

Riley shook her head violently. No, she couldn’t think that way. It was a sure road to heartbreak. She could do this, she told herself as she prepared for the day, knowing she wouldn’t be able to fall back to sleep.

CHAPTER 32

Before Lana got onthe road back to Oklahoma City, she’d shot off an email to let her team know she’d be in late. Now all she had to do was sit back and enjoy the drive.

It was unusual for her to have a conversation with a stranger, but she’d enjoyed talking with Chloe, so much so she hadn’t wanted it to end, even at the cost of being extremely late for work. She pushed aside her guilt.

Lana missed having friends. She still had Carol, but over the last few years, all her other friends had faded away. No, she’d been the one to fade. Between the long hours she put in at the station and her relationship with Oakley, she’d had little time for anything else.

Was that why she’d been so angry with Oakley lately? Jealousy? Lana envied the camaraderie Oakley had with her crew, especially Britt and Asher. Surely, she didn’t begrudge Oakley. It would be wrong. Still, sometimes it stung.

The thought of Oakley only caused her stomach to churn. Talk about mixed messages. She’d fully intended on telling Oakley about the job interview.Shit.She was scheduled to fly out late tomorrow afternoon. How had it gotten to be Thursday already? She’d have to tell Oakley tonight since she’d chickened out.

Lana hadn’t really chickened out. They hadn’t exactly done much talking since they’d practically ripped each other’s clothes off as soon as they’d stepped into Oakley’s room. Suddenly, the inside of the car felt much warmer, so she let down her window. Besides, after the texts from Oakley’s dad and the failure with the sensors, Lana couldn’t kick Oakley when she was down.

Maybe she should just cancel the interview. If last night was any indication, they still had it.No.Sex had never been their problem. And they obviously still loved each other. That hadn’t changed. The problem was the same. Lana had sacrificed her dreams—ambitions—so Oakley could pursue hers, but Oakley took it for granted. It was always the same. Oakley was fixated on proving herself worthy to the storm-chasing community, so Lana always played second fiddle. If Lana took the job in L.A., it didn’t mean their relationship had to end, it meant that Oakley would have to try harder. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing.

Tears welled in Lana’s eyes, and the floodgates threatened to open. She was saved by the ringing of her phone. She pushed a button on the steering column.

Before she could say hello, Carol said, “Where the hell are you?”

“Hello to you, too,” Lana said. “I’m on 35 just outside of Perry.”

“That’s an hour away.” Carol’s tone was harsh.

“Yeah, so. I’ve never been late in the entire time I’ve been at the station. Cut me some slack.” Lana tried to keep the edge out of her voice, but she suspected she’d not been successful.

“Where have you been?”

“I drove up to Wichita to celebrate with Oakley.”

“And you didn’t think to mention it to me?”

“I didn’t know I had to tell you my every move. Why the inquisition?”

Carol let out a loud exhale. “Did you check your email last night?”