Page 93 of The Jack*ss in Class

What had started as a few threatening clouds had escalated with alarming speed into a full-blown storm. Wind howled down the streets, bending palm trees at alarming angles and sending beach umbrellas tumbling like colorful tumbleweeds. The restaurant staff had started boarding up windows as we approached, and closed their doors for the storm.

“We’re closing early for safety,” the manager explained. “The storm surge warning has been upgraded to an emergency.”

I glanced at my phone, wincing at the multiple missed calls from both Dad and Gryff. A text from Dad flashed on the screen.

Dad: Where are you? Let me know you and Tempest are safe.

I quickly texted him back letting him know we were together, near the beach, and safe.

We would be anyway. I grabbed Tempest’s hand. “Let’s try to get an Uber back to one of our hotels.”

Water already pooled ankle-deep on the sidewalk, rushing down the sloped street toward the beach. The rain was coming down in near-horizontal sheets, the wind so strong it was difficult to stand upright.

Did California get hurricanes? I thought it was just earthquakes. What the actual fuck?

I tapped on my phone, but the rideshare app showed no available cars. “Everyone’s trying to get to safety at once,” I murmured, tucking Tempest under the minimal shelter.

“We have to find some place to get inside.” Tempest shivered against me. “But I don’t think we can walk. My hotel is at least two miles away. Where’s yours?”

“Let’s try finding somewhere closer,” I said, my protective instincts kicking into overdrive. “There are restaurants and businesses all along this strip.”

Tempest’s teeth were chattering despite my arm around her shoulders. I needed to get her somewhere safe and warm, now.

The manager headed toward his car and I ran out into the rain after him. “Can we get a ride? We’re really stuck, man.”

“I gotta get home to my kids, but there’s a small place, Inanna and Kur’s Cabins, about three blocks inland,” he said after a moment. “On higher ground. Old school place, separate cabins instead of rooms. Might be worth trying.”

I returned to Tempest. “I have a lead. Three blocks that way, up the hill. Think you can make it?”

She nodded, determination replacing the fear in her eyes. “Let’s go.”

We half ran, half waded through the flooded streets, holding tight to each other against the buffeting wind. By the time we spotted the faded “Inanna and Kur’s Cabins” sign, we were both soaked to the skin, water streaming from our clothes and hair.

The office was dimly lit, an elderly man wearing a rainbow Hawaiian style shirt and a twinkle in his eyes peering out as we approached, looking unsurprised by our bedraggled appearance.

“Hurry you two, get your butts in here.” he said, opening the door. “Stranded by this storm?”

“Yes, sir,” I nodded, water dripping from my hair onto the worn linoleum floor. “Any chance you have a room for us?”

Tempest shivered beside me and I was fully prepared to give over my life savings to this guy for a hot shower and some warm blankets for her.

The old man, Kur, according to his nametag, shook his head slowly. “My cabins are full up. But the people for number eight, haven’t shown up yet, and I don’t suppose they’re likely to in this weather.” He eyed us appraisingly. “It’s yours if you want it.”

“We’ll take it,” I said, pulling out my wallet.

Kur handed over an actual key, not a keycard, attached to a massive wooden fob. “Power’s gonna be spotty in this storm. Got extra blankets and lanterns in there. Might be a long night.”

“Thanks,” I said, handing over my credit card. “We appreciate it.”

As Kur processed the payment, I called my dad real quick. “We’re safe. Bunkering down at someplace called Inanna and Kur’s Cabins.”

“Take care of each other.” The concern in his voice was evident. “You two are more important than any football team or meeting, understood? The Bandits will still be interested tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, oddly touched by his immediate acceptance of us as a unit, a “we” that needed protection.

Kur handed back my card with a knowing look that I pretended not to see. “Cabin eight, up the path to the right. Highest point on the property. Should stay dry no matter how bad this gets.”

We thanked him and stepped back out into the storm, my arm protectively around Tempest as we made our way up the waterlogged path. The cabin, when we reached it, was exactly as advertised—small, somewhat shabby, but mercifully dry and on solid ground well above the flooding below.

---