Chapter 5
It’s five in the morning.
The sun is waking up, its golden hues peeking across the horizon to let everyone know it’s time to start their day.
Not me. Not the Dust Bunnies.
My eyes are heavy, and it’s going to be another hour before I can finally fall asleep. The entire team is discouraged and coated in mud after the chase we had.
No one was hurt, and the storm itself wasn’t anything to worry about. Come to find out, nothing serious was on the radar. Ruka wanted me to stop talking to Oklahoma because my big brother doesn’t trust him.
We traveled. We got our asses kicked by wind, mud, and rain.
All because my brother wanted to get me as far away from Oklahoma as possible.
Now, I want to be out of the state of Oklahoma, or I might murder him.
“You’ll have to talk to me eventually,” Ruka breaks the silence. “Please, Nariko.”
“Let’s just get to the motel and get some sleep. I don’t want to talk about the reason you put our team in jeopardy in a night chase.”
“Nari, come on. I didn’t put the team in jeopardy. There was no tornado. We were fine.”
I turn in my seat and scoff, stunned by his lack of empathy.
“You are unbelievable. How do you not see the damage you have caused? We don’t need to be running from a tornado to be in danger.
The storm itself was an issue, and I’m glad we got the data to send to the weather stations nearby to warn people of the lightning, wind, and hard rain, but we didn’t need to chase it.
You knew that. I think we all knew, yet we followed along because that’s what a team does.
I could be in bed right now, resting, preparing for another successful chase today, but I am exhausted. I know the girls are too.”
“You could have ignored me. You could have talked me out of it.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “Yeah, because that would have mattered. We all hope to see changes on the radar, Ruka. I thought that’s what it was.
I thought we were chasing based on your instincts, not because of me talking to Oklahoma.
Grow up,” I spew in Japanese, settling into my seat, and glance out the window.
In the distance, there’s a storm building, and today, I don’t plan on chasing it. I want everyone to take the day off to get some rest. Ruka and I need some space.
It’s easy to be at each other’s throats when we spend all of our time together. It’s natural, but this time? Ruka took control of a situation that wasn’t his to control, made us run after a storm that was never going to produce anything, all so that I was far away from Oklahoma.
The one man I’ve been interested in, in what feels like ages, because he was rude when we first met him.
I’m too tired to make sense of Ruka’s thought process.
“He isn’t good for you. We have to stay focused, Nariko. We have sponsorship deals, partnerships, and an obligation to our—”
“—Stop,” I say in a quiet and resigned tone. “How dare you guilt me? You don’t think I know the job?” I pat my chest. “Me? The one who started all of this, by the way. Do I need to remind you of how we all got here? Don’t you dare try to manipulate me. I’m allowed to want more than this.”
“Why would you?” he shouts, the car swerving to the right and off the road.
I grip the handle above the window, the side of my body slamming against the door. Tires kick up dust and rocks ping against the side of the car. He corrects it by jerking the steering wheel left to get us on the road again.
“You have all of this!” He waves his hand in the car. “Why would you want to give it all up for a guy?”
“You must think so little of me to think I’d give this up for him—for anyone,” I say sadly, realizing my brother must not have that much faith in me. “What a slap in the face. Who I choose to date is none of your business. Who I sleep with is none of your business. It’s no one’s fucking business.”
“You’re sleeping with him?”
I laugh, but it’s an exhausted one. One that leaves no more room for any more conversation. “When have I had the time? I’ve known him for a day, Ruka. Oh my god, you can’t be this delusional.”
“Well, he wants to sleep with you. That’s a problem for me. You’re probably just another notch on his bedpost, and I won’t let you be treated like that. We have seen plenty of guys like him. You know the type.”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t know him that well, Ruka.
And you know what? I want to know him.” I angle my body so I’m facing my brother.
“What’s wrong with that? What if you’re wrong about him?
He’s different, Ruka. I feel it. I know I’m right.
And I don’t appreciate you treating me like this.
Like I’m not capable of knowing what’s best for me.
Life changes. Millie and Jessica are happily married, and we chase with them. Why can’t that happen to me? For us?”
He doesn’t say anything, and I’m glad. I need this conversation and this chase to come to an end at last.
The old rundown motel sign finally comes into view, and the vacancy sign blinks red. Does that mean there are vacancies or no? It doesn’t matter. What am I thinking? I already have a room here. I rub the back of my neck, trying to relieve the tension.
My eyes burn with exhaustion and frustration. I think if Ruka said one more word, I might jump out of the moving vehicle and run to the motel.
The radio crackles with Jess’s voice. “Hey, Mille and I are starving. We are going to get some breakfast at Twisted Tina’s. Do you guys want to join? Reina said she’s too tired.”
I snag the receiver, give Ruka a dirty look, and press the button. “I’m going to bed too. I’m exhausted. That storm took us everywhere, and I want to shower. Ruka said he’d love to join. He’ll meet you there.”
He side-eyes me but says nothing.
I don’t know how we got here. My brother and I never fight. We never disagree. He’s my best friend. When we are off, my entire world is off.
The SUV bounces when Ruka turns into the parking lot, hitting every pothole he can find. He knows how much I can’t stand potholes. He’s doing it on purpose.
Millie pulls in beside us, waving with a big smile through the window.
We all get out of the vehicles at the same time, our feet landing in shallow puddles that splash into our already dirty clothes. I’m overwhelmed.
Every sound. Every voice. Everything is getting under my skin.
Millie’s happy-go-lucky smile fades when she sees my face. “Are you okay, Nari?”
Jess’s eyes slide to Ruka, who comes around the front of the car with the same facial expression that I have.
“I’m going to bed. Everyone has today off.
Relax. Get some needed rest. I have a feeling we will be busy as long as we don’t know how to read the radars correctly.
” I take a dig at Ruka. I know I shouldn’t, but he really hurt me, and I don’t know what to do with my anger. “If you need me, I’ll be in my room.”
Ruka tries to stop me. “Nari. Nari, wait. Let’s talk about this. Please.”
Swerving out of his grasp, I keep my head down, so he doesn’t see the tears in my eyes.
“Nari. Come on. Please,” he tries again. “Fuck.”
“What happened, Ruka?” Jess asks him.
Their conversation fades when I get far enough away.
I climb up the concrete steps that have been painted over more than once. The rail I’m holding onto is rusted and wobbles. It’s only a matter of time before someone falls from this safety hazard. I’d fix it myself if I knew how.
Pulling the key out from my back pocket, I slip it into the lock, giving it a quick jiggle, then kick the door open. It needs a little push since they painted over the hinges.
I step inside, closing and locking the door behind me. A long, tired exhale has me slouching my shoulders. My back falls against the door, and I’m sliding down onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
My chest aches. I claw at it, wanting the pain to go away.
I’m devastated. I’m angry. And for some reason, I’m really missing Oklahoma, and it makes no sense.
“Get it together.” I wipe the tears away and take a few deep breaths.
Placing my elbows on my knees, I study the room, unimpressed with the cigarette burns on the carpet, the wood paneling on the walls, and the box TV sitting across from the full-size bed on a chipped coffee table. My suitcase is on the floor by the bed where I left it when we checked in.
Cheap stays are one of the best parts of chasing. We’ve met amazing people, and in some spots, at night, all the chasers go outside to hang out.
Not here, though. Not today. I’m not in the mood for people.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket, and I groan. I just want to be left alone.
“I swear, Ruka. If you don’t give me some space, I’m going to—” My anger falls short when I see the unknown number.
Oklahoma: Hey, Nariko. This is Oklahoma, the guy who was rude to you on his property and then apologized to you at the diner. I know this is out of the blue, but are you okay?
I smile, a freeness being taken from the emotion in my chest, and I’m able to breathe. I know nothing about him other than he brings me peace whenever he makes himself known.
Me: Hard to forget the rudest cowboy in the state. I’m just kidding. Since you don’t know me well enough to know when I’m joking. And honestly, no. I’m not okay.
Oklahoma: You aren’t wrong about being the rudest in the state. I have my moments. I’m still sorry about that. And is there anything you want to talk about? I’m here to listen.
Me: Ruka and I got into a fight. I chased all night because of him. I’m exhausted. That’s pretty much it, minus some details, but I don’t want to get into it right now, if that’s okay.
And because I don’t need Oklahoma to know we were fighting over him. We barely know this guy, and I don’t want to send him running for the hills before he takes me out on a date.
Oklahoma: Ah, the brother. He’s a big fan of mine. Want me to talk to him? I’m sure he will listen to me.
“Ha! Unlikely,” I mumble, kicking off my mud-soaked boots.