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“I am down for any Hail Mary at this point,” I admitted. “Anything to keep the kid safe.”

“I was willing to do whatever,” Chloe said. “But it happened so fast. We barely hit the basement before shit got real.”

“It looks like nothing but windows out,” I said.

“My roof is leaking in my bedroom,” Chloe sighed. “But I will take that over what could have been.”

“She stole the weird muck bucket you use for laundry,” Piper said. “I figured it was the least we could do.”

“Why is that weird?” I asked. “If it works and it’s saving your bacon⁠—"

“I’ve just never seen someone do that is all,” Chloe said. “It’s not a big deal and you’re right, it’s very useful in this moment.”

I shrugged. “It’s just more effective. I dunno. I hate single-use objects, and I had an extra never-used bucket when Piper and I moved. And hey, the bucket survived the last storm, so it lives to see another day.”

“It’s perfect. I promise to return it. The maintenance guys should have a tarp up tomorrow.”

“No rush,” I said. “I am fine as long as Piper is safe. Have you heard from Riley?”

“No, I was going to call but I was charging my phone before I turned it back on. It was nearly dead when this all started.”

“I have a full charge,” I said. “Let me call them.”

“I am sure we were okay,” Chloe said. “I think it wasn’t that bad. And if we are all here, we’re fine, like you said.”

“We are,” I agreed.

The relief seeing the house still standing and mostly intact while having Piper by my side again was immense.

24. RIP, THE COUCH

COLE

“Piper is passed out in the guest room,” Chloe handed me a beer. “I dumped the bucket again. Ugh. But these are cold now.”

“Thanks,” I said, relieved.

With the power off, we sat around, slightly shell-shocked with a camping lantern and candles. Chloe bailed out the fridge with some ice I scored at a corner store. I freed a battery backup in my truck. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked. Now, we had beer, snacks, our phones, and essentials for breakfast.

“She’s had a long night,” I said. “At least school is out tomorrow. She’ll have time to rest while we slave away and pack for the show.”

“Adulting sucks, Cole.”

“I know,” I chuckled. “I wish it got easier as I got older, too, but this is life.”

“Thanks, climate change! I am grateful we’re okay,” Chloe said. “She was really upset. Crying. Terrified she wouldn’t survive this one. And all I could do was hold her and reassure her, but I am ashamed to say I was scared, too.”

“I was terrified,” I said. “And I couldn’t get to you two because of all the limbs and lines down. It was a nightmare scenario.”

Chloe’s face fell. She was introspective in a way I’d never seen before.

“Mom and Dad are okay,” she said. “But I panicked. I was just thinking I wanted my own dad at that moment. I couldn’t blame Piper one bit.”

I rubbed her knee. “I want to tell you that impulse goes away but I’m what? 12 years older and I still call my parents when I need help. In fact, they were the first call I made after the big one. It’s okay to ask for help, Chloe. That’s something you reminded me of. Take your own advice.”

Her gaze turned to mine, vulnerable.

“Thank you for taking care of Piper.”