Page 5 of Twist’s Raven (31 Days of Trick or Treat: Biker & Mobster #6)

Chapter Five

T wist glanced around the bar at all the groups in town due to the bad weather.

The forecast was looking like they’d see something around three a.m. Dex had ridden up from Bluff Creek to go storm chasing with Twist. At least Twist knew Dex wouldn’t be on the floor screaming.

When he’d left the military, he, Dex, and Booker had ridden around until War and Bear had offered them a place to land.

Dex had gone storm chasing multiple times before settling in Bluff Creek.

Twist was enjoying spending time with his buddy from the military.

When you’d lived so closely with someone, words weren’t even needed.

Which had been a blessing since Twist had spent about two hours researching the town of Honey Creek and Britt.

The town had lost two of its own a couple years ago when they were murdered.

Twist had zero doubts that Britt had known the two people.

Honey Creek was too small a town for her not to have.

He wondered if the woman had been a close friend.

Her age had put her close to what Twist imagined Britt’s age to be.

Twist felt for Britt. He, Booker, and Dex had lost friends while serving. It didn’t get any easier, and he still missed his friends. He imagined the ties would be even deeper if they’d grown up in a small town together.

He was glad he’d be busy tonight chasing because he was finding it excruciating waiting to get to talk with Compass and Maureen when their trip was over.

Twist recognized some of the people who were in town for the storm, as did Dex.

Dex could be the life of the party but was also deadly when he needed to be.

Twist was sipping cola. He wasn’t drinking because he planned on chasing this storm tonight, and beer made him sleepy.

Sometimes it sucked getting older, but Twist wouldn’t be saying that to Dex.

They might be the same age, but Dex acted as if he was still in his thirties.

Twist could hear his own body popping and crackling like a breakfast cereal when he got up. Dex never complained about any of that.

Twist checked another site for radar. Three different storms moving toward the area had potential. It was figuring out which one had the best chance .

“Another drink?” the bartender asked.

“No, thanks, but is the kitchen still serving? I debated which side to get, and now I’m wanting the other one.”

The bartender grinned. “It’s still open. You’re wanting those cheese sticks with marinara you passed up, or you want one of the platters that has the French fries, onion rings, and cheese sticks?” she asked.

“You sold me. Platter it is,” Twist said.

Twist always had good intuition about storms. His parents had always been amazed by how he checked out anything from the local library about weather from a young age.

He’d planned on studying meteorology and being one of those weather reporters who were in the craziest storms leaning sideways, but then the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened.

His dad had served, and Twist had considered serving but had gone to school first. He’d graduated in May and was taking the summer to storm chase before looking for a job in the fall.

But in the fall, his plans had changed. He enlisted five days after 9/11 and never looked back.

Twist loved visiting these older small-town bars.

Pool tables and darts in the corner, and some televisions in another section of the bar.

They gave you free popcorn. Of course they did.

It had a decent amount of salt and butter.

Salt and butter would make people thirsty, and they’d buy more drinks.

Twist had to appreciate their marketing plan.

They even still had a jukebox. Most of the songs this evening had been country.

There were about six people hanging out in the bar—a couple who looked to be amateur storm chasers, along with some townspeople.

Dex had joined them a few times to play pool.

Now, he was over feeding some bills into the jukebox.

Twist had to wonder what Dex was going to play.

When Dex headed toward him, Twist was immediately on guard because of the smirk on Dex’s face.

“Why are you so sad sitting over here? I’ve gone chasing with you before. You’re usually hyped,” Dex said.

Twist rolled his eyes, then tried to get his friend off track. “You’re imagining things. Probably all that perfume rotting your brain. Did you rub up against them while playing pool? You smell like at least three different scents.”

“Oh, nice deflection there. The next song is for you because I’m positive it’s what you’re feeling,” Dex said, tossing popcorn into the air and catching it in his mouth .

The music started, and Twist wondered if he could leave Dex here and chase alone. Hunter Hayes’ Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me was playing.

“I’m not sad,” Twist said.

“Okay, maybe sad isn’t the correct word, but I’ve had a lot of experience at Bluff Creek seeing guys fall one after another for a woman. You have the same look on your face. Who is she, and why aren’t you with her?” Dex asked, winking at the waitress.

Twist huffed, staring at his friend. Dex was like a freaking dog with a bone. He’d keep hounding Twist until he knew what Twist was thinking. Twist didn’t really feel like pouring his heart out here in the bar, but he also didn’t want Dex pulling and prying until he got it out of him .

“You are the biggest gossip. If I tell you, is it immediately going into a text to Bluff Creek and the Nelsons?” Twist grumbled.

“Just because I like to share news doesn’t mean I don’t want to know just because you’re my friend. You are in a mood. Oh man, please tell me that you didn’t bring the guitar and that while we’re waiting, I’m not going to have to listen to you sing about your lost love,” Dex said.

Twist chuckled, slapping his thigh. Where did Dex come up with this stuff?

“No, I’m not singing sad songs. I helped her, but I don’t know much about her. Scoop tracked down her location. Maureen and Compass offered to do a little reconnaissance for me,” Twist said.

“So you did or didn’t bring the guitar? Just asking if I should run across to the grocery store and see if they have ear plugs,” Dex said, smirking.

The bartender delivered Twist’s food, and he decided he’d eat. Maybe if he ignored Dex a little, then the man would shut up about sad songs and Twist’s attitude. Dex reached over and grabbed a cheese stick.

“So man, which one do you think we’ll be chasing?” Dex asked, indicating Twist’s screen.

Twist evaluated what he’d been seeing and what the forecaster on the TV was saying. He was leaning toward the second storm, which was a little farther away.

“I think we’ll be chasing that one, but I want to watch for about ten more minutes. I feel like it’s almost time,” Twist said.

Dex nodded, popping the last piece of cheese stick in his mouth. “Got it. I’m going to hit the head, then we can go whenever you want.”

Twist asked the bartender to box up the food and paid their tab. The more he watched the screen, the itchier he felt. He rubbed the tips of his fingers together. Conditions felt perfect for a big storm, and he wasn’t missing it.

“We’re live in South Dakota, about five miles north of Chamberlain.

Winds are picking up. It’s hard to see but the flashes of lightning are showing us a tornado that looks to be easily half a mile wide.

Currently heading southeast. Dex, see if you can show the viewers the tornado,” Twist said, driving parallel to the tornado.

At least he was currently parallel unless it turned.

Dex turned the camera toward the tornado and kept quiet while he videoed.

“If you’re in the Chamberlain area, whether your sirens have gone off or not, get to shelter. This is big,” Twist said, waiting for the next bolt of lightning to see if it was changing course. A flash lit the sky, and the thunder sounded in stereo in the car.

“Umm, Twist, I’m not going to be like a certain person we both know and jump on the floor to hide and scream, but that sucker is changing and moving toward us. Get us out of here,” Dex yelled.

Twist turned the vehicle and crossed an open field to head toward another road.

He floored the vehicle, thrilling at the adrenaline pumping through his system.

He never felt more alive than when he was trying to outrun the elements and his heart was racing.

Instead of it scaring him, everything seemed to become so clear.

He crossed the ditch, his wheels grabbing the road as he turned to head out of the path of the storm.

He grinned and glanced over at Dex, who had decided to video Twist instead of the storm. “Best job in the world! Yeah, baby!” he yelled.

Once he’d moved them out of the path of the storm, he pulled the vehicle over and took the camera.

He wanted to get some good footage, give the viewers information, but also remind the younger viewers not to do this without training.

He couldn’t handle it if his videos got a younger kid hurt because he’d chased a storm without any background knowledge.

Pointing the camera at the storm, he narrated, “I know it’s hard to see with how dark it is, but the next time we have lightning, check out how wide the base of this tornado is.

Even if it wasn’t dark tonight, the funnel would be dark with all the debris it has picked up.

Now I want to remind you all. I’m a trained storm spotter, and I’ve taken classes in meteorology.

Storms are incredibly dangerous. I know this looks fun, which it is, but if you’re interested in it, do your research. ”

Lightning arced across the sky, and Twist caught the perfect video of the tornado.

“Now isn’t that an amazing sight? Nature creating the perfect combination to wreak havoc.

There’s something incredibly beautiful about something that can be so deadly.

Now, if you’re loving my videos on storms, make sure you subscribe to not miss anything.

We’re going to watch this a little longer. Thanks for watching,” Twist said .

Dex came and stood beside him. Once Twist had ended the video, Dex shook his head.

“That is the closest I’ve ever been when one changed direction toward me. Man, it was all I could do not to cuss up a storm telling you to get your fuckin’ foot to the floor, but I couldn’t remember if you cussed on the channel. My heart still hasn’t slowed down. Whew,” Dex said, shaking his head.

Twist chuckled darkly. He had to admit he got a lot of joy seeing the man who had fought beside him in the Army freaking out over the tornado chasing them. Maybe because Dex couldn’t fight back against the tornado.

“Let’s head back, park, and see if we can get some shut-eye before the next one flares up,” Twist said .

At least the chasing this evening had occupied his mind.

For a while, Britt wasn’t front and center.

For the first time, he was ready to be done with this storm system.

He was itching for Maureen and Compass to get back from their visit.

He wasn’t sure why, but he had a fierce craving to know more about Britt.