Preston: SOS, blizzard coming, you need to come back ASAP.
The dreaded red “Not Delivered” symbol stared back at me, confirming what I already feared—her phone was dead. My breath came faster, matching the hammering in my chest, as I tried to shake off the spiraling thoughts. Where could she be? What if she didn’t see the storm coming? My lungs burned as Ijogged, the icy wind clawing at my face, but I pushed forward. I burst into the library doors, scanning the deserted floor. A few lone people sat at tables with headphones, and I wondered if they were aware of the incoming storm.
Shouldn’t the school send out an alert or something?Oh.It was break, so a lot of people weren’t here. Fuck.
I sprinted up to the second floor, then the third. Jordan spent time in a certain nook, and she wasn’t fucking there. The first real blip of fear inched its way down my spine when I also didn’t find her on the fourth floor.
My chest ached, and I rubbed it, frozen, as I stared at tables. If she wasn’t here…my phone buzzed, hope bursting in my stomach.
Jordan: OMG I’m okay!! My phone died. With some girls from class, we ran to the store for materials. We have a few hours before the storm gets here.
Preston: Did you text Logan?
Jordan: Yes. Sorry to worry you guys
Preston: Where are you now?
Jordan: Hobby Lobby with Libby and Sara. One had a portable charger. I can’t head to Logan’s house for the next two days. All the stuff for the event is in my room at the house. You go though, okay?
I pinched my nose, frustration and relief merging into an unpleasant combo. She wasn’t passed out somewhere, unconscious and scared. She was stubborn and making rash decisions. Very different yet still causing the same conflicting feelings. I wasn’t going to leave her at our house alone for a fucking blizzard.
Preston: I’m not leaving you.
Jordan: I’m a big girl, Charming. I can take care of myself.
Preston: Yup, fully aware of that. Nothing to do with you.
Jordan: Don’t feel like you have to watch out for me.
I straightened. I didn’t appreciate that tone or text, and Icussed, scrubbing a hand over my face and taking a deep breath. She was pushing my buttons, and whether her choice was intentional or not, it pissed me off.
Yet at the first sign of annoyance, Jordan would shut down.
I needed her back at the house, then I’d call her out on her shit.
Preston: I’m coming to get you.
Jordan: Please, don’t.
Preston: There is a massive blizzard coming, and the roads will get bad soon. Logan was freaking out, and you’re being selfish. The people who care about you want YOU safe.
Jordan: Jesus. We’re checking out now. I’ll catch a ride with them and come back.
There’d be hell to pay for this, but this damn girl made foolish decisions. I didn’t want to be in love with her. It’d be easier if I cared for her like I cared for Logan. I wouldn’t be messed up and this fucking angry when she was in danger. I needed to use the next half hour to calm down.
I walked home, changed into sweats and a long-sleeved green shirt, and had all the flashlights and batteries on the counter when the front door burst open.
“Hello, ball and chain,” she said. The tip of her nose was red, and her black hair was tangled in her earmuffs. “Or should I say keeper?”
I took the bags from her hands and set them on the living room floor, ignoring my pulse pounding in my temples. She was looking for a fight. It was clear in her wild gaze and harsh tone. Either something had happened, her mom made some bullshit comment, or us worrying about her triggered her fight-or-flight.
She’s safe. She’s here.
“No comment, Charming?”
We had a stack of firewood in the backyard. It must’ve been left over from the previous renters, but I was thankful. I put onmy gloves and ran outside, taking two trips inside with the ten logs. It wasn’t a ton, but it’d do if we lost power. I checked the radar, and we had an hour before it hit.
“Is there a reason you aren’t speaking to me?” Jordan followed me into the living room, her tone dangerously low and close to how she sounded in the bedroom.
