On your way back to the truck, Tyler walked into the visitor center building after giving you the truck keys. You gave him a small smile and walked over to Ol Red, it being the only vehicle in the parking lot. Unlocking the door, you slid into the passenger side and put the keys into the cup holder. You couldn't tell if it was anxiety or pure happiness building in your chest, but you needed it to chill before your heart jumped out of your chest.
You never were the one to be asked out in high school or talk to guys much as you were usually studying weather patterns, your first boyfriend was after graduation and only happened after a drunken mistake of a one-night stand. It didn't last long, maybe four to five months, you chose not to remember. After that guy, it was Derek, who you were with for five years and resulted in him cheating on you. Sure, you flirted occasionally at bars while sipping on a drink, but never had a guy asked you to start dating.
In a panic, you told Tyler that you would like to hold off and see if you would continue to storm chase if your team split. While sitting there, your emotions turned from anxiety to anger. You were angry at yourself for telling the perfect guy for you no. It came to be such an overwhelming feeling you smashed your balled-up fist onto the armrest, not paying attention to where you hit. You heard three beeps and then a woosh sound, followed by a loud bang and then crackling.
You looked out the window of the truck to see remnants of a firework floating away in the wind, then looked back at your hand on the button labeled 'color boom 4.' As if the last ten minutes couldn't get any worse, you looked over to the visitor center to see Tyler with his hands on his hips and shaking his head with a grin.
You buried your face into your hands and silently screamed. As you heard Tyler get closer you pulled your hands away and took a few deep breaths.
"You gettin' used to the controls, passenger princess?" He asked, leaning in your window.
"U-Uh," you stammered, that was not the response you expected.
"Don't worry, they're cheap little ten-dollar fireworks," he said with a smile, gesturing to the pipes containing the actual firework stick.
You stayed silent, hoping the embarrassment would fade and it would be like it was on the drive here.
"Darlin'," he said, putting his finger under your chin and pulling your face towards him, "What's wrong?"
Did he actually notice that you weren't okay? Were you making it that obvious? You reminded yourself to work on getting better at hiding your emotions.
Your lack of response made Tyler worry even more than he already was. He opened the door and leaned his hip against your seat.
"Don't think I'm heartbroken or that I'm going to spread that you told me no," he said, putting his hand on your cheek softly and wiping away the tear you didn't know you cried.
"I-I," you started to say but was cut off by tears falling, your chin dropping to your chest. Why did you feel so bad about telling someone no?
"Oh honey," he said, pulling you to his chest, "Don't be upset, I'm still going to chase after you until you say yes or push me into a tornado."
This made you chuckle through your tears, pulling your head off his chest and wiping your tears.
"Because believe me, I'm not quittin' on you," he said softly, giving you the classic Tyler Owens smile, "I'm just gettin' started."
You took a couple of deep breaths, trying to compose yourself to tell him what you meant to say out on the bench.
"But that isn't what I meant to say, T-Ty," you said, taking another deep breath, "I-I honestly panicked."
"It's just me, darlin'," he said, rubbing your arms.
"That's the problem," you said, his eyebrows going up, "I don't want to say anything wrong or get hurt or ruin what we already have."
He chuckled slightly and pressed his lips to your forehead. "I understand, how do you think I've felt the last few years?"
"But you're a smooth talker and I'm just a girl who stares at clouds," you sighed, resting your head on his shoulder. Why would someone as amazing as Tyler want to be with someone who could sit and watch clouds all day?
"And I'm a boy who stares at clouds," he said softly, "Hell, sometimes I think they actually talk to me."
"At least I'm not the only one," you said, smiling slightly and wiping the stray tears from your cheeks.
"Why don't we do this," he said, lifting your chin, "We can go on a few more of these to make sure the connection is there 100 percent, and then after that, we can decide to give what we got a true chance to take flight."
"I like the sound of that," you said quietly, looking into his soft eyes.
"I'm in no rush for you," he said, leaning down to put his forehead on yours, "You're the one I want."
Hearing him say that sent tingles down your spine, so much so that your back stiffened to brush your lips against his. Again, in panic, you pulled away with your face turning a bright red.
"Are you hungry?" He asked, rubbing soft circles on your arm, "I know a nice place up the road we could grab a bite before we head back to Prairie Winds..."
"I'd like that," you said, adjusting yourself in your seat and trying not to press any more buttons or switches.
He gently closed your door then walked to his side of the truck and took his red flannel off, tossing it in the back seat.
"Sometimes the midday heat doesn't get to me, but damn, today it's HOT!" He said, putting his hat on the dash and hopping into the driver's seat.
"I'm surprised you didn't take it off earlier," you said, fanning yourself with a map you found shoved between the seats.
"I had better things to worry about than my comfort, okay?" He said, patting his pockets, "Keys?"
"Cup holder," you said, buckling your seatbelt and leaning back.
"Right," he said, grabbing them and starting the truck effortlessly.
"Has any of your team tried to reach you again?" He asked, glancing at his phone where Boone and Ben had texted him.
You pulled your phone out of your pocket, looking at your notifications. There was a group text between you, Jade, and Tristan with Jade sending the message. Your heart dropped as you already knew what the text was about.
'Hey (Y/n), we hate to do this while you're out with that crazy guy from the wranglers, but Tristan and I have decided it's our time to part ways with the Storm Riders. It's been a fun journey and we wish you and the rest of the team luck with the season next year. Hope we can still be in contact and remain friends. J&T'
You sighed loudly, seeing there was a voicemail from Willow. Could this get worse?
"Hey (Y/n/n), it's Willy," Willow said, "I hate to do this as I know Jade texted you earlier about their departure from the team, but I was offered a modeling gig while at the local mall. It was all crazy, but a marketing rep from Sephora was at the store and actually recognized me from when I sent my portfolio in. You know I love you and I love the chase, but I need to focus on my dreams. I won't be returning next year to Storm Riders... Let me know if you want to talk about this more..."
You turned your screen off and tossed your phone in the backseat next to his shirt and the flowers, sinking into your seat.
"Hey, why the sudden sulking?" He asked, starting to back out of the parking spot.
"You know how earlier I mentioned that I had a gut feeling this would be the last year of chasing for Storm Riders?" You asked, rubbing both your temples as this wasn't what you wanted to deal with today, or really ever as it was your dream to have your own successful chasing team.
"Ye- oh no," he said, "Really? Not even in person?"
"Not even in person," you sighed, "Willow I can understand as she hates being confrontational in this type of sense in person, no matter who the person is, but then Jade thinks we'll still be good friends when they don't even respect me enough to talk in person?"
"You'll still be friends, I know you don't throw friendships away that easily," he said, turning onto the main road, "But it was disrespectful for them not to say anything in person."
"Well, looks like I get to talk to Asher and Finn tonight or tomorrow," you sighed.
"I'm serious about what I said earlier, honey," he said, reaching over and grabbing your hand gently.
"Which is what?" You said, looking over at him, "You've said a lot of things today and it's only 1:27 in the afternoon."
"That you and those boys are welcome to join the Wranglers," he said, squeezing your hand, "I think we'd make a good storm chasin' duo."