TWENTY-FIVE Sebastian #2
“It wasn’t as intimidating as I thought, but I’m afraid to look at my social media.” She puts her microphone next to mine. “Now what?”
“Where are you going to ride out the storm? I know everyone is going to Mia’s place, but maybe we could hang out at your house? I’m sure you have all the essentials, and we can get some good footage.”
Quincy frowns. “I said I was going to chase the storm. That’s what I’m going to do.”
“You said that when it was a Category 2, not a Category 5 monster. You’re not seriously considering driving straight into the system we just warned people to stay away from, are you?”
“Of course I am!” Her voice pitches higher. Her hands clench into fists at her side. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because people are going to die, Quincy. Towns are going to be wiped out. Homes? Gone. Roads? Not drivable. If you get stuck, rescue teams won’t be able to get to you for days. And you want to go into that willingly?” I almost shout, matching her tone.
“I need to prove myself to the National Weather Service. To the people who don’t believe in me.
To everyone,” she yells back, anger flashing in her eyes.
“Why do you think I’ve spent all summer chasing storms when I normally do all my work from my office?
Why do you think I work myself to the point of exhaustion?
Because I’m sick and tired of being treated fucking less than because I’m a woman.
I’m sick and tired of working harder than everyone else and not getting as far.
I applied to the NWS to tell myself I could do it, despite so many people telling me I can’t.
Despite people at the interview telling me I can’t.
And now? Now I have a chance to prove that I’m worthy.
That I deserve that spot more than anyone else, and you can’t stand in my way. ”
“Worthy?” I almost roar, stalking toward her. When I get close enough to touch her, I grab her by the waist. I pull her flush against my chest, ignoring the oof she lets out when our bodies collide. “You don’t think you’re fucking worthy?”
“I’m not sure that I am.” The admission comes out like a sob, a raw, splintered sound that makes her chest heave.
“I try to put on the face of a badass bitch, but now that this is being handed to me, I can’t turn it down.
If I die, I die, and at least I went out trying, because I’ll regret it for the rest of my life if I don’t go out there and show everyone I know exactly what I’m talking about.
I’m chasing this storm, Sebastian. And you can’t stop me. ”
Her words ring in my ears. A tear slides down her cheek. My hand shakes when I touch the side of her face.
“Do you know what I wish?” I murmur. A roll of thunder rumbles through the building.
She shakes her head, teeth sinking into her bottom lip.
Scared, hesitant. Years of carrying this burden alone.
“I wish, more than anything else, you could see yourself from my eyes. Because you know what you would find? The most beautiful, most deserving person worthy of everything she’s ever dreamed of.
And if I could? I’d spend all my money, I’d barter with the devil, I’d find a way to give you everything you’ve ever wanted, just so you could see how incredible I think you are.
” I rest my forehead against hers. We’re the only two people here, the rest of the world obsolete.
“If you want to chase this storm, I’m going with you.
Not because I don’t think you’re capable of doing it on your own, but because I want to be there when you realize how right you were.
When you realize your life is about to change because people are finally paying attention to you like they should’ve been doing this whole time.
Like I’ve been doing for goddamn years. You asked if I hated you?
No.” I shake my head. “The way I feel about you is so much worse than hatred. It’s eating me alive.
I can’t do anything to fight it. I can’t make it stop, but even if I could? I wouldn’t.”
My heart races, controlled by someone other than me.
Her, probably.
“Sebastian.” She puts her hands on my shirt, staring up at me. There are questions she wants to ask. I can tell. But she keeps them to herself, and I’m glad. I don’t know how to answer them. Not yet. “You’ll really come with me?”
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be.” I kiss the top of her head to ground myself. “Which means we need to get moving. We’re already running out of time.”
THE RAINY DAY SHOW COMMENT SECTION
@ParrotsAndPeaches: I have a friend who lives in Punta Gorda, which is where Hurricane Georgianna is supposed to make landfall. She said she just saw Quincy and Sebastian chatting with Jim Cantore, and I’m 100% convinced they’re chasing the storm together.
@BeakersAndBarometers: This is going to be epic.
@IHeartDogs1990: Has anyone else noticed how much they’ve been staring at each other lately? Like, he’s on her show, and he’s talking, and they exchange this cute little look.
@HayKayMan4: He’s always looking at her. Now she’s looking at him.
@User2842345735: Looking for love? So am I. DM me for details and pictures.
@User1413444002: I’m rly scrd about this storm fr. I’m so unprprd lol. Guess I should buy some water?