3. Kelsie
Kelsie
Okay, the clouds are starting to look a little scary now. What started as a light gray this morning during my walk to work has now turned into what looks like a sky made of black.
The bar is quiet, and good for reason too. With a lack of customers coming inside, them having the right mind to stay out of this mess, I’ve already closed down the kitchen and sent the crew home since both of them live on the mountain.
The women bartending, despite reassuring me that they’re happy to finish their shift, just recently left.
Crossing my arms across my chest, I watch as rain pelts the glass with harsh thumps. In the distance, I can see the trees waving with the wind and the sky lighting up with colors of purple and white.
In the pit of my stomach, I know today is not going to end too well.
“Owner won’t let you close shop, will he?” Behind me, the one person who insists on riding out this storm with me sits.
I won’t lie, I’ve been jumping for every minute I get to spend with Hayes. Especially while we’re completely alone like this.
At the same time, he’s making me more than worried. If he has trouble getting up and down the mountain on a normal day, then I can only imagine how rough a day like this will be.
“I tried to call him, but you know how the signal is up there. Throw in the wind, I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone on the mountain is without communication.
” Turning away from the window, I find Hayes sitting comfortably at one of the tables.
The seats there are more comfortable, I don’t know why he doesn’t normally sit in them.
Part booth, the cushion there is the easiest to sink into.
Approaching the table, I slump down in the chair across from him. Fighting the urge to yawn, it helps when the lights above flicker.
I really hope the power doesn’t go out.
“Why don’t you make the call and deal with the consequences later? I’m sure he’s understanding. Close the bar, and I’ll give you a ride home.” He drums his fingers against the table like he’s impatient with the fight I’m putting up.
Hayes is right. Gavin is a big softie. He cares about the safety and health of all of his workers.
If I close now, I won’t be able to continue being greedy like this.
Even if something as good as getting cozy in his truck and sitting close enough to touch him comes my way, I’m not willing to bite. Not when it ends a moment like this.
Serenity and peace with the man of my dreams.
“Hayes, I’ll be fine. You don’t have to stay, either. I live right down the street, and I have no doubt that all of this will pass right over in no time.” The words come out more confidently than I feel.
In truth, I hate storms. A few times a year, Willowbrook Ridge gets the kind of storms that produce tornadoes that come with crazy damage. I get a little anxious and worried, and being at my crummy apartment during that big mess?
Hard pass.
Here with Hayes, I feel more comfortable. If he decides to be smart and leave now before the weather gets even worse, then I’ll deal with my worries on my own.
Something tells me that with the way he nonchalantly relaxes despite the mess happening outside, he has no intention of leaving.
“Do you plan on riding out this storm with me?” Propping my cheek on my hand, I watch his expression closely. “Is that your goal?”
He sniffs, not denying my claim. Finally, he grunts. “Someone has to keep you company. Can’t even get this kind of peace on the mountain.”
Oh boy. If I’m not careful, he’s going to see the hearts forming in my eyes at his words.
He’s admitted it. He’s staying for me.
As a smile grows on my lips, not even the booming thunder above us is enough to shake me from this dazed state of mine.
“It’s a shame I can’t offer anything with entertainment.” Turning toward the TVs, I take in the different weather channels playing across each of them. “I suppose we could find something a little more interesting to watch.”
Something that doesn’t have warnings blasting across the bottom half.
“Kelsie.” He sighs my name, and I get more tingles along the length of my limbs. “I’m alright. Just do what you normally do. Don’t worry about me.”
Easier said than done, buddy.
“I can’t help it. Technically, you are a customer. It’s my job to make sure you’re comfortable. Speaking of which, have you changed your mind on the food? I can throw us something together.” Groaning softly, I lose the strength to keep positive. “I am starving. ”
His mouth quirks at my honesty. Giving up on me, he dips his head with a nod. “Food doesn’t sound bad. Anything sounds good right now.”
With a new task to busy my hands with, I’m happy to shoot to my feet and run toward the kitchen.
Not wanting to leave himself out there for long, I throw together burgers and potato wedges, my favorite greasy snack. Once I ask what kind of toppings he likes and put together the perfect meal to win his heart, I write these meals off as a business expense.
If Gavin were in my shoes, he’d understand.
By the time I come back out, I’m eager to sink my teeth into my work.
Sitting at his side instead of across from him, we watch the storm roll out.
The streets are deserted, and it’s unsettling that not a single pair of tail lights has passed by.
With my only company at my side, happy to keep my mind preoccupied, I don’t have much room to worry.
Watching Hayes devour his food is the best kind of distraction—the way he hunches over the plate like he’s afraid someone might take it from him, the barely restrained urgency in every bite. It pulls a laugh out of me, bright and unexpected in my own ears.
“If you were this hungry, you should’ve just said so.” I nudge his arm with my elbow, teasing. The contact lingers just a second too long, warmth bleeding through his sleeve. “Seriously, next time you’re craving something, say the word. I’ll make it happen.”
For a heartbeat, his expression shutters—something sharp and unfamiliar flickering across his face before he schools it back into careful neutrality. He clears his throat, fingers tightening around his napkin before he dabs his mouth with it.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The words are measured and deliberate. Like he’s not just talking about the food.
Like he’s memorizing the offer, saving it for the future.
With the crazy thought making my body feel weightless, I’m sinking my teeth into another wedge when suddenly, everything goes dark.
* * *
“I hate storms,” I call out to Hayes as I fumble around the kitchen while trying to find the emergency kit I know Gavin has prepared for times like these.
The flashlight on my phone is only being so helpful. I need something a little more promising.
The office in the back is a little cluttered, and standing on a swivel chair is never a great idea, but it’s something that needs to be done to fetch the cardboard box tucked away on the top shelf.
To my boss, this is nothing for a giant. Unfortunately, I’m a shrimp in comparison.
Carefully making my way back down without breaking an ankle, I shift through the box to find a flashlight or two until I can figure out what I’m going to do until the power turns back on.
As I’m hoping it’ll flicker back on like nothing happened, the continuous darkness surrounding me swallows up my hopes.
Digging out a bulky flashlight, a matching handheld radio, and some batteries, I return to Hayes and set everything down. Fiddling with the radio, I search through the static for any station.
“ Now I get to lock things up, but I need to take care of some stuff before I can leave.”
Need to text Gavin since I know I can’t get a hold of him. Need to call the electricity company. Need to worry about all our food in our walk-in cooler and freezer.
He moves to stand, joining me at the front door. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his keys. “I should go turn on the truck to make sure it’s heated up.”
I jerk at the very thought. Sure, he’s got a point, but I don’t want to see him limp out there and get caught in the wind.
“Let me,” I start, already holding my hand out. “It’s the least I can do with what you’re offering.”
Blinking down at me, he doesn’t offer his keys. Instead, he offers something better. A smile.
If it’s not the curve that prickles my skin up in goosebumps, it’s the rush of wind licking my skin as he shoves the door open.
“I’ll be back.” Leaving it at that, he abandons the bar and heads toward his truck. It’s parked all the way across the lot. Instead of parking in one of the spots to help people like him, he’s purposely made it harder for himself.
I don’t understand why, and it leaves me frustrated and wishing I were the one taking the pelting down raindrops.
Sighing softly, I turn away long enough to go fetch some towels. He’s going to need a few of them once he comes back inside dripping like a wet dog.
By the time I return to the door, I see he’s still outside. Rather than turning his truck on, he’s staring at it. From the way he’s rubbing at his bearded cheek, I can see there’s an issue.
Another loud boom makes me jump and jerk.
Pushing open the door, I call out to him, beckoning him to come back in. Thankfully, he does.
Holding the door open for him, I’m in awe as he walks in my direction. Reminds me too much of the first time I looked at him.
His hair is molded to his skin, his beard covered in droplets of rain.
The shirt he’s wearing clings to his body like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination.
The fabric outlines the hard planes of his chest and the ridges of his stomach.
Every breath makes the material hitch and pull, revealing more than it conceals.
Burying his fingers into his hair to push his bangs back, his eyes look troubled.
Before I’m swallowed up by the heat growing on my face, I’m trusting the towels in his direction. I can barely even ask him what the issue is without choking on my tongue.
“Must’ve run over something on the way down.” He grips the towels, in no rush to put me out of my misery. “Tire is flat and I don’t have a spare. Not that I could change it now, not with the condition of the weather.”
Meaning… we’re stuck here. Alone together.
Oh boy.
“Maybe we could call a mechanic–” I start, trying to be hopeful.
Hayes shakes his head, making droplets drip down his throat. “The whole street is without power, by the looks of it. Something tells me the same could be said about this side of the town. Doubt they have a phone working, and already have enough issues going on.”
Okay, yeah, we’re stuck here.
“Well, go ahead and take a seat. Try to dry off and use this as a lesson to wear jackets on rainy days.” Locking the doors, I turn toward our food that has probably grown cold by now.
I can’t even reheat it in the microwave.
“Take care of what you need to. I’ll be here.” Sounding less stressed than I am, his cane thumps with each step before he settles back in his seat, a relieved sigh leaving his lips.
Even with a list of tasks, I know I’ll be distracted.
Not by the storm, but by him.
This is dangerous. Not just for our safety, but also for my heart.