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“I’m sorry,” he said. “Can you forgive me?”

“I don’t know right now,” I answered. “Just leave the shower, shave—your stubble is overgrown and it will give me acne—and look good. You’re not going to ruin my night.”

He walked off like a kicked puppy. It somehow made him less attractive—even less than when he had his cock in Meg’s mouth. I was angry with Meg because she knew our rules and still betrayed me. I agreed to an open relationship because we lived apart throughout the year. We both had needs, but this crossed too many lines at once. Couldn’t he just give me the smallest indication that we were a thing?

Finishing my shower sprint, I emerged to find him still at the vanity, finishing his own skincare routine. We fought for vanity space—even in our massive bathroom.

“I don’t think I should come tonight if you’re cross with me,” Jasper said.

“Jasper, you don’t get out of this. I need to project woman-in-love. What good is a romance author who has built her brand for the last two years on being head-over-heels for a heartthrob who looks like a snack holding her horse if she’s not still attached?”

“It’s all a farce, though.” Jasper’s posh English accent usually melted me, but only made me want to stab something right now.

The world was upside down.

“Jasper, I don’t care. I am an institution in this town. My mother is coming. This is the first thing I’ve ever done that she’s fucking proud of me for. And I’ll remind you that it was those silly videos of you playing Bored Horse Show Boyfriend that got you a good agent. It was those thirst trap videos and that character that got you the lead in that romcom.”

He set his jaw, looking at the vanity top.

“You know I am right.”

“I know how much you’ve done for me,” he said. “But if this won’t work⁠—”

“What do you mean? Won’t work?”

“I have feelings for Meg.”

I angrily squirted primer on my palm and spread it on my face. The sting of betrayal hit hard.

“I’m sorry,” Jasper repeated.

“You know what, Jasper, I’m not angry at you for breaking the rules because you’re too dumb to really get what you did. No. It’s that you lied to Meg. And I love her—perhaps more than you—and now I cannot have her around because I can’t trust her. You ruined one of my longest friendships.”

“Maybe we can all be together?” He winced.

I shook my head, trying not to explode. “No. Let’s all survive tonight and then you are free to go. We’ll cast it as a slow fade. Can you just please give me that much?”

“Can I keep my car?” Jasper asked.

“Your ridiculous truck? No,” I said.

Jasper wanted a truck. He fantasized that he was a cowboy now that he was with me and living Stateside. So, I bought him a stupid ass dually to pull the gooseneck. I wanted to light it on fire, but I wasn’t about to waste it. I didn’t have another hauling vehicle big enough.

He pouted.

“It’s in my name, Jasper. It’s my truck. It’s not yours. This is your fuck up. We’re done and you’re not playing cowboy any longer, sweetie. Now, look hot. It’s the least you can do for me.”

3. THE TWISTER

COLE

The weather radio rang again, sending a shiver down my spine. Before Piper even hit the button for the new alert, I knew the big one was coming. Destruction was imminent. I sensed we were headed to the house right away.

“A Tornado Warning. An active tornado was spotted on the ground two miles east of Sycamore.”

That was only about six miles off. I didn’t listen to the rest.

“Run to the house,” I shouted at Piper. “Now!”