Chapter 9
Oz
Where did Marjorie go? She was right here.
I stumble through the crowd, searching for her. I call her name, and Holly, the baker at Sweet Mercury, grabs my arm.
“She went outside,” Holly tells me, gesturing to the open doors.
Why on earth would she go outside? It’s not safe out there. I run through the doors, stumbling into the bright sunlight. If not for the destruction all around us, it’d be hard to believe the sun wasn’t shining all along.
“Jori! Where are you?” A knot of panic forms in my throat, strangling the words.
She steps out from behind an overturned vehicle. “Stop shouting. You’re causing a scene.”
I run to her, swooping her into my arms. “You scared me! Why did you leave the station?”
“I just needed some fresh air,” she says, pushing me away.
It’s obvious that she’s trying to put distance between us, but I can’t make myself let go. I bury my face in her hair. “My sweet, sweet Jori.”
“Stop calling me that,” she snaps. “No one calls me that.”
The anger in her voice is unmistakable. I stumble backward. “What’s wrong?”
“Why are you acting like you’re my boyfriend? A minute ago, you were busy telling Colby how you and I would never be together.”
“He was threatening me, for one thing. And for another—” I hesitate, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t think you’d be interested in something serious with a fuckup like me.”
She punches me in the arm, really putting her weight into it.
“Ouch!” I protest.
“A fuckup? A fuckup?!” Her voice quivers with anger. “You are a hero, Oz Metzer. You saved so many people today. How can you call yourself a fuckup?”
“I didn’t really do anything.”
She punches me again.
“Stop hitting me,” I complain.
“Then stop being a dumbass.” She narrows her eyes at me. “I dare you.”
“A dare, you say?” I pull her into my arms and lower my face to hers. Nuzzling her nose with mine, I whisper, “I love you, Jori.”
Her lips tilt into a smile. “And I love you, my daring storm chaser.”