56. Storm
Auden’s pacing the bedroom as I’m sitting against the headboard watching her. She has on a black pencil skirt with a white blouse tucked in. She’s breathing intensely, waving her hands beside her. I know this move all too well. She’s having a panic attack. Today is her first day at the new job, Sean will be here any minute, but Auden has been up for the last two hours getting ready, mostly just pacing the bedroom. I tried to console her but she pushed me away and did a few huffs.
“Hey, baby, come here a sec,” I say, swinging my legs off the bed and putting my hand out to her.
She shakes her head, taking her hair out of the high ponytail she did, then growling, and tying it back up again. “Where is he?”
I take her phone and look at the time. It’s almost eight, and Sean said he’d be here by now. “Want me to give him a call—”
A knock strikes our front door, setting me off. Who could that be? No one has a key to get to our apartment but her parents.
I get off the bed and fix my gray sweatpants on my hips, my bare feet slapping the wood floor as another set of knocks rap. “Just a sec.” I open it to Sean’s grin on the other side of it, three coffees in hand. “Hey, man.”
He holds out a coffee for me. “Auden said three milk, two sugar, right?”
I nod, taking the coffee and looking back as Auden has her high heels on and makes her way to us, gulping the lump in her throat. “She’s nervous,” I whisper.
“Figured as much.” He chuckles. “Lunch is at noon if you want to stop by and surprise her.” He flashes me a wink as she takes her purse off the coat rack and nibbles her lower lip. “Hey, kid, you ready?”
“Oh, God, Sean. What if they don’t like me?” She shakes her hands at her sides again, making me put the coffee down and pull her to my chest, kissing her neck a couple of times. “Storm, I’m gonna suck at this.”
“You got this, baby. You can tackle anything,” I say, holding her head in my hands. “You drove to Campbellton to meet someone you didn’t even know. I think you can start this new job with your bestie at your side, am I right?”
“Besties,” Sean rings out, then laughs. “Why doubt yourself when you excel at everything, kid? And your boy toy’s right, I’ll be right there with you all week, okay?”
She releases a rush of air and wraps her arms around my neck. “Okay, okay. I can do this.”
“Yeah, you can, baby.” I press my lips on hers and chuckle. “Kick some fucking ass. I’ll be right here unpacking when you get home.”
Sean hands her the coffee, taking a sip of his. “And since Storm is such a good guy, I’ll be staying for dinner, too.” He sticks his tongue out and snickers. “Maybe even get a sneak peek at a free show?” He puts his hands up when Auden growls. “Just saying.”
She laughs, punching his shoulder. “Shut up.”
I stand in the doorway, smiling at her as they walk down the hallway. I lift my hand to wave when she looks over my shoulder, but she jogs back over to me and leaves a kiss on my lips. “Call me on your break, okay?”
She presses her lips on mine again, smiling. “I will. Okay, I’ll see you later.”
“Let’s do this!” Sean cheers, whooping loudly.
She laughs, shaking her head and looking at me again as they continue down the hallway. “I want spaghetti for dinner.”
“Anything for you,” I say, leaning on the door jam and watching her leave. “Bye, babe.”
“Mmm, bye, I love you, and—” She widens her eyes, staring at me as her face pales.
I step out into the hallway, lift her, and slam her into the wall. “And I love the shit outta you, now get your little butt out of here before Sean gets what he wants. A very sweaty free show.”
I kiss her like she’s going off to war and put her down, watching as she stammers on a few words and heads for the elevator. I know she loves me, but it is weird finally saying it out loud. I fell for her the moment she walked into Creed’s looking lost and alone, and so damn wet from the rain. That was the first thing I said to her, too. You’re wet like it was supposed to be some sort of joke. My love for this woman grew so exceedingly fast that I have to pinch myself from time to time to make sure I’m not dreaming.
She looks back at me again and smiles. “I love you, Storm,” she shouts.
I chuckle, licking my lips. “Our love works in mysterious ways, baby. I love you, too.”
She covers her face, her demeanor is more relaxed than it was when she woke up this morning and disappears with Sean who is singing, “I’ll make love to you”.
I can’t help but laugh as I close the door, my heart so full I can’t see anything bad happening to me. Nothing can ruin this day.
I take a quick shower and start unpacking the boxes in the living room, playing a Zac Brown Band vinyl as I organize our books on the built-in shelf. We have very similar tastes in books except for her little spicy romance collection. I chuckle and take my phone out, sending her a quick text.
ME: Tonight, I’m going to wreck that body in the same passionate ways as your romance novels.
I barely have time to tuck my phone away, it’s already ringing. I don’t bother looking at who it is, I answer it immediately. “Hey, baby. You like my text—”
“Storm?” Rick’s voice moves through my ears.
“H-hey, how’s it going?” My heart suddenly starts to pound violently, sending me into a nervous chuckle.
Rick sighs, line clicking over to the speaker as he gets into his car. “Denny’s fucked, man. Prison did nothing for him but make him vengeful.”
I plop onto the couch and drop my head between my shoulders. “Fuck, man. I’m—” A soft cry leaves me. “What do I do?”
“Stay away from home if you know what’s good for you. The last thing you need is for him to come find you and fuck up his parole. Because he will. He’s so mad that he missed out on so many years of his life—”
“He beat me to a blood pulp, Rick. What the hell was I supposed to do? Let him get away from almost killing me for a stupid mistake?” A sound of anguish breaks my throat as I wipe my nose on the back of my hand. “Fuck, man.”
He groans, sighing. “I know. I know.” Silence takes over as I pinch my eyes, looking at the apartment that Auden and I have. Our things are spread out everywhere. Happiness oozes from the walls. And just like that, it can be ruined. “He’s staying with Mom and Dad for a little. Ross offered him your old place if he wants a place of his own, but he’s gotta get a job first.”
I sniff again, looking at the coffee table in front of me. “What am I gonna do?” I whisper, taking in deep breaths. “Auden’s already on edge as it is, I don’t need to add this to her plate.”
He sucks his teeth, letting out a few breaths. “Yeah, I know. Just focus on you guys, y’know. That’s all I can think about.”
That’s all I can think about, too. My angel and I starting our life together while this impending doom looms over us. All it takes is one second for Denny to snap and drive down here. Won’t be hard to find us, either. Ask the right people and someone will spill our information.
I keep reminding myself that he’s on parole. If he knows that’s good for him he’ll stay put. Maybe we’ll be able to talk on the phone, ease things over that way. Maybe, just maybe.
Rick snaps his fingers, tapping the steering wheel. “How’s Auden’s first day?”
I sniff, leaning the phone on my shoulder, and push myself off the couch when all I want to do is hide away and drink myself stupid. “She told me she loves me today.” I place more of our books on the shelves.
Rick laughs a hearty, happy laugh. “You did it, man. You fucking made a life for yourself outside of the misery you were living.”
“I did.” I nod, closing my eyes and smiling. “I really did.”
Life is better with her around. Everything is clearer, happier. Easier. And one day soon I’m going to show her the perfect life we can live. A life she deserves filled with all the love and laughs I can give.
A life with me.