Storm

by Carian Cole

  It’s Storm, but it’s not. He’s wearing nothing but a towel and is also covered in tats, but they’re not Storm’s tattoos. His long hair hangs down his shoulders, dripping water down a body that is equally as muscular as Storm’s. I stop dead in my tracks and peer up at him, utterly confused. His eyes are dark brown like rich chocolate and don’t have Storm’s mischievous glint. These eyes are dark, almost sad.

  “Oh, my! I’m so sorry!” I say, completely embarrassed. I don’t know where to look or which way to go.

  He just looks at me. “Who the hell are you?”

  “Um, I’m Evelyn.”

  “The blizzard chick?”

  What? Is that what they’re calling me? And why didn’t Storm tell me had a twin brother?

  I make a face that I try not to make. “Yeah, I guess that would be me.”

  “You lost again?”

  Ugh. “No, I was looking for the bathroom.”

  He tightens the towel around his waist, and I try not to look at him half naked in front of me.

  “You found it.”

  “I see that. I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was occupied. The door was open.”

  “Yeah, I was letting the steam out.”

  He’s looking at me but not smiling. I don’t like Storm’s face on this guy. At all.

  “Well, um, I’ll just come back.” I turn for the door.

  “I’m done. It’s all yours, Blizzard Chick.” He pushes past me, his damp arm rubbing against my breasts.

  I lock the door behind him. Geez. I wish Storm had told me he had a twin brother and saved me the freak-out of running into him. I’m confused enough as it is—the last thing I need is a Storm clone running around.

  I use the bathroom and check myself in the mirror before heading back to the living room. Sinking back into the chair I was in, I whisper down in Storm’s ear, “You didn’t tell me you had a twin brother.”

  “I don’t.” He holds a strawberry up to my lips. I bite it in half and he eats the other half, his eyes not leaving mine. Sharing fruit has never been so sexy.

  “Well, who did I just run into half naked in the bathroom who looks just like you?”

  He swallows his half of the strawberry. “That’s Asher. He’s a year older than I am. We just look alike.”

  “Holy shit. You could’ve warned me.”

  “I forgot.”

  “He called me Blizzard Chick!”

  Storm starts to crack up.

  “What’s so funny over there, you two?” Ronnie asks.

  “Evelyn ran into Asher and he called her Blizzard Chick.”

  They all laugh. Not at me, thankfully, but they seem to find a lot of amusement over it.

  “Honey, he gives everyone a nickname,” Aria explains. “Don’t take it personally. He’s totally harmless.”

  “And high,” Rayne adds.

  “Rayne, don’t,” Storm warns. She makes a face at him and I start to giggle. I wish I had a little sister.

  Dinner turns out to be a five-course meal. I am so stuffed by the third course that I can barely eat another thing. I nibble at everything to be polite, but I am not used to eating so much food. Storm literally woofs down everything and then eats what I don’t eat. Asher doesn’t join us for dinner, and I wonder what his deal is and where he’s hiding and why. I hope it’s not because of me. Maybe he didn’t want a stranger here for Christmas. Or maybe, like Rayne hinted at, he’s hanging out somewhere just getting high.

  After dinner, Aria approaches me and offers to give me a tour of the house. I accept and allow her to lead me away.

  “Mom! Don’t tell her embarrassing shit about me!” Storm yells after us.

  “I’m just going to show her your naked baby photos!” she yells back, hooking her arm in mine.

  “I don’t mean to fangirl, but I’ve read all your books,” I tell her. “I had no idea you were Storm’s mom. He just told me on the way here.”

  “Thank you! If there’s any you haven’t read, just let me know and I’ll give you any you want. I’m almost finished with my latest. I’d love to send you a copy before it hits the stores.”

  “Wow, thank you!”

  We walk through the kitchen to the other side of the house to a beautiful four-season room that is all glass. She takes my hand and we sit on a long white couch. Storm’s family is very affectionate I’ve noticed. It’s not annoying though. It’s actually very comforting.

  “Are you having a good time? We’re so glad Storm asked you to come.”

  I nod enthusiastically. “Yes, I really am. I’m glad I came, too. I didn’t want to at first, but Storm is very persistent.

  “Yes, he is. It’s one of his many charms.”

  “He’s very lucky to have all of you.”

  “We’re lucky to have him, too.” She tilts her head at me. “Your parents passed when you were seventeen?” she asks softly.

  I am a bit taken aback. I never told Storm that information.

  “Yes, they were in an accident,” I tell her, looking down. I don’t like talking about my parents, especially with people I barely know.

  “Evelyn, I want you to know I had you checked out by a PI. And before you get upset, please understand that I only did so because I love my son. I needed to know if there was anything about you that was... well, bad.”

  Yikes. I have no idea how to take this. Checked out? Did she think I was some kind of criminal?

  She continues. “I wanted to apologize for invading your privacy. It’s hard to be a mother and watch your children get hurt. Storm has been through a lot. They all have. It’s one thing if they’re off partying and just screwing girls for fun, which of course I don’t condone as proper behavior, but when I see they are serious about someone, my instinct is to find out as much as I can. I guess it’s the writer in me to fact check.”

  I nod in understanding. “It’s all right. I understand why you would do that. I’m not upset with you.”

  She looks visibly relieved. “I’m very sorry for your loss. I was not expecting to hear such sad information.”

  “Thank you.” My eyes drop to my hands in my lap. “It was a long time ago. I miss them very much, though. Especially my mother.”

  “If you ever need to talk, or need anything at all, you’re welcome to call me. I mean that.”

  “I really appreciate that. Thank you.”

  She stares out the glass windows for a moment, thinking. “Mother’s aren’t supposed to pick favorites, you know. But between you and me, Storm has always kind of been my favorite. I love all my kids, but there’s just something about him. He always makes me laugh. He has such a good heart, he always has. When Britney died, he changed. I didn’t think he’d ever be happy again.”

  Britney. Now I had a name to put with the girl he married.

  “He’s never spoken of her,” I say. “But, I read about her.”

  “No, he rarely talks about her. She was a very troubled young girl. Teen love is so full of angst. She set her sights on him and that was it. She had a lot of problems at home, the poor girl. An alcoholic father, her mother was hardly ever home. I think she saw Storm as her savior. And he tried so hard to make her happy. She had crazy mood swings, happy one day and completely miserable the next. She was hard on him. Nothing was good enough. I think she pushed him into marriage because she wanted to get away from her parents. And I hate to say this, but I think because she knew we had money, she thought he was her golden ticket. Our kids have always made their own way, though. We never threw money at them. Things got bad for them, she did drugs, she cheated on him, and she wanted everything under the sun. New car, a house, vacations. She berated his music, his work on motorcycles—everything he did. All he wanted was to be loved. I don’t think she ever did love him, though. He was too young to be going through all of that and being responsible for someone who was so unstable. It took a huge toll on him. Then getting pregnant really pushed her over the edge. She hung herself in their bedroom closet, and he found her that w
ay. It was absolutely horrible.”

  I gasp and cover my mouth. The thought of it makes me feel sick on so many levels. What went through the poor girl’s head to make her want to end her own life? And her child’s? Storm must have been completely devastated.

  “He blamed himself for a long time. He turned to drugs and alcohol. It tore us apart to see him that way. And especially right after Asher... Well, that’s a story for another time, sweetheart.” She gives me a weak smile. “I know you’re wondering why I dragged you out here to talk about this, and it certainly wasn’t to depress you. The thing that happened with you and Storm and being stuck in the truck together? I think you formed a special bond. Am I right?”

  “Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but we did.”

  “He hasn’t been in or wanted to be in a relationship in a very long time. He cares about you very much and I can see why. You two have chemistry. The way he looks at you and touches you, like you’ve been together forever.”

  “Aria, we do have some sort of connection. I can’t deny that, but I am in a relationship. Did Storm tell you that?”

  She nods slowly. “Yes, he did. And I told him he should stay away and respect that. He says he can’t.”

  “I’m afraid he will hurt me,” I admit. “I’m not sure I fit his world.”

  “Oh, trust me, Evelyn. I understand. I dated and married a musician. I’ve been through it all. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? You bet your ass it was. It’s not for everyone, though. It’s a hard lifestyle to get accustomed to.”

  “I just don’t know what to do. I wasn’t prepared for any of this... meeting someone else and having feelings for them... considering leaving a twelve-year relationship... being on my own. Dating a rock star sounds insane to me, I’m sorry.” It’s the truth. I can’t lie to his mother.

  “He has a lot of love to give, Evelyn. Look how he treats his dog, for God’s sake.” She laughs and I laugh with her. “I just don’t want to see him get hurt, Evelyn. And I can tell you are not the type to do that. But you do have a decision to make, honey. And I don’t envy you at all, because I have been exactly where you are.”

  My head jerks up. “Really? Were you with someone when you met Ronnie?”

  “Yes. I was engaged. I met Ronnie at a concert and I went head over heels for him. A few weeks later, I cancelled my wedding, my parents disowned me, and I was living in the back of a tour bus. I loved him, though. I couldn’t get enough of him. No one made me feel like he did and still does to this day. Sometimes, the right person comes along at the wrong time, and you have to just trust fate and hope it leads you in the right direction and it all evens out.”

  “You’re very lucky. Storm really admires what you and your husband have. He talked about you when we were in the truck.”

  “I am very blessed. And I think you are, too.” She pats my hand. “We should get back to them. I’m sure Gram has dessert ready. I just want you to know there is so much more to him than what you see. You can talk to me anytime if you need to, and I mean that. And I really do hope you become part of our family someday. I want to see my boys settle down a bit.”

  We stand and I give her a big hug. “Thank you so much, Aria. I won’t hurt him.”

  Returning to the living room and taking my seat with Storm leaning against my legs again feels like home. All of this reminds me so much of my childhood. This is what I miss and what I want. A family, a house full of love and laughter.

  His Gram makes us hot cocoa, just as Storm described to me during the blizzard, and then they open their presents. Asher makes an appearance, standing in the doorway. He smiles, but it never reaches his eyes. It’s hard for me to look at him, almost a mirror image of the man I am falling in love with, and see the sadness. I’m pretty sure he is the vocalist of their band and now I am really curious to see him on stage next week. I always thought lead singers were outgoing, but I don’t see that in Asher at all.

  I am sad to go when the night is over. His family kisses me and hugs me, telling me they will see me again. Well, everyone but Asher, who just nods his head at me.

  “I’m glad you came tonight.” We’re parked in front of my condo in the dark. I feel sleepy from all the food and the long drive home.

  “Thank you for inviting me. I had a great time. Your family is amazing.”

  “They like you.”

  “Your brother seems sad. Is he okay?”

  “He’s chasing a ghost. But he’ll be all right.”

  I cock my head at him, not understanding.

  “It’s a story for another time, baby. He’s okay, though. Next week at the show you’ll meet my other brothers Talon and Mikah and my cousins Vandal and Lukas.”

  Wow. More brothers and two cousins. I hope they all don’t look like Storm. I absolutely love the names, too. When Amy and I were young, we came up with a theory—anyone with a cool name was good-looking and cool by default. So far, we have not found evidence to disprove this theory.

  Saying goodbye to Storm is getting harder. It feels wrong for us to part now. In my heart, I feel like we should be going home together, falling asleep in each other’s arms.

  He breaks into my thoughts. “I go on tour in two weeks.”

  “Okay...”

  “We don’t tour a lot. None of us really want to be some huge band that tours non-stop, so we tour about two months, sometimes three out of the year and then do a few scattered shows here and there, and some of the smaller local venues.”

  I nod, trying to let it sink in. This is his life, the part I know nothing about. The part that scares me the most. I like him this way, when he is just some regular guy in a truck, holding my hand.

  He touches my chin and turns me to face him. “I’ll call you and text you every day. If you want me to?”

  “Yes. I would really like that.”

  “I want to come home to you. I don’t want to come back to this.”

  I would have to make my choice. In my heart, I already knew what that choice was. I just needed to get my head on board with it.

  “Evie, you gotta stop living in fear. You can’t see the stars unless you go out in the dark. You get what I’m saying?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Wow, Mike, you’re really hot for this band, aren’t you? I think I see some gel in your hair. Fancy.” Amy raises her eyebrows and playfully touches Michael’s hair. She glances over at me and winks. I flash her a warning look to behave herself. Amy has a real hard time not poking at people and getting them aggravated. I’m not even sure it’s a great idea to bring her to the show now that I’ve had more time to think about it. Her knowing the situation between Storm and I will only fuel her endless taunting and I already feel awkward enough about going and being under the same roof with both Michael and Storm.

  Michael takes our coats out of the closet in the hallway and hands mine to me. “Ashes and Embers have been one of my favorite bands for years. They fucking rock. There aren’t many good rock bands around anymore. It’s kind of a dying breed. Fuckin’ Storm can really rip on the guitar, too.” He turns to me. “Have you heard him play live?”

  I pull my coat on and lift my hair out from under the collar. “No, he didn’t seem to have a guitar strapped to him when we were trapped in the back seat during the storm of the century, sorry.”

  I check myself in the mirror one more time before we leave, thinking my looks and outfit really pale in comparison to Amy’s short skirt, long legs, four-inch heels, and plunging neckline. Not to mention her gorgeous face and hair. Standing next to her in my skinny jeans, black boots, and a black silk peasant blouse, I feel just... average. Amy looks more like she could be the potential girlfriend of a rock star, not me.

  Michael and Amy talk nonstop on the drive to the venue, leaving me alone in my thoughts. I’m excited to see Storm play, to see him in his true element. I’m also nervous as hell at the thought of him meeting Michael. I absolutely hate the position I have gotten myself into—having feelings for another man while
still in a relationship. I used to scoff at people who got themselves in similar situations and claimed ‘it just happened.’ I could never understand how they could say that and expect people to believe it. But now I know all too well, because it did ‘just happen.’ I didn’t plan or want the mess with Storm, and I would change it if I could.

  That’s a lie. No, I wouldn’t. Now that I’ve felt his touch, been in his arms, felt his body, tasted his lips...

  “Are you going to be mute all night?”

  “Huh?”

  “You’ve been daydreaming since we left the house,” Michael says.

  “Maybe she’s just bored.” Amy pipes up from the backseat. God, I want to kick her.

  “I’m not bored or daydreaming, I was just listening to you two argue, as usual.”

  We pull into the parking lot of the venue. There are a lot of people hanging around outside, smoking and talking loud. Most of the women I see are dressed sexy like Amy. Shit. No wonder Storm always has a girl hanging on him in all the photos I’ve seen of him online. I’ll bet most of these girls are those groupie types I’ve seen on TV who just come to party and have sex with the guys. Eww.

  There is a short line to get in, as apparently your name has to be on the list to get in, and a big muscular guy at the door is checking the names off on an iPad he’s holding. Michael gives him our names, and we are then escorted to a table inside, right up front.

  A good looking guy with shaggy jet black hair that is spiked up a bit on the top and sides is sitting at the table with a pretty girl who is also dressed pretty tame like myself. He stands when he sees us.

  “Hey, I’m Lukas. You guys must be Evelyn, Mike, and Amy?”

  “That’s us,” I say. “You’re Storm’s cousin?” Wow. Is everyone in his family just sexy as hell? It’s sinful.

  He flashes an adorably crooked smile. He looks young to me, maybe early twenties. He’s also covered in tattoos and has a piercing through his lip and his eyebrow. “Yup, that’s me. Have a seat. This is Ivy.” He gestures toward the girl sitting next to him, who looks like a deer in the headlights but manages to smile at us. She is clearly just as uncomfortable being here as I am. I choose to sit next to her, and Amy sits on my other side with Michael next to her. I know Amy did this on purpose to put distance between Michael and me.