“I can’t race you, Tuck. I’m at work and we’re adults.”
Tuck rolls his eyes. “C’mon. I saw a coffee cart outside, serving homemade apple fritters. Loser buys coffee and fritters?”
I’m a weak man, what can I say? I glance around the station, which is oddly empty except for Kenny who’s been shopping online all day. And I’m holding a dog. Can I run with this animal? I look back at Tuck and start to shake my head no in an effort to throw him off course, then I slap his back and take off at a full sprint.
“Let’s do it!” I call out over my shoulder as I clear the lobby and throw open the outside door.
Do we tear out of the station like grown men who shouldn’t be racing? Why, yes, we do. Do I manage to almost run over Lane? Why, yes, I do. Am I holding on to Thor precariously as I do all of this, like a juggler attempting to keep his balls in the air? I’m sure I do.
But the real question is…do I make it to his car first in the parking lot?
No, I don’t.
Tuck, always the faster of the two of us, slips past me and slams his hand on the hood of his car as I slam into it at full speed, breathing heavily. Still clutching Thor, whose tongue lolls about out of the side of his mouth in giddy happiness, I catch my breath and turn to face Tuck, finding him with a sneer spread across his lips.
“I’d like a large coffee…no, scratch that. I’d like a large mocha with extra whipped cream and two apple fritters.” He smirks, inclining his head to the cart while he holds his hands out for Thor. “Give me the dog. Off with you.”
Laughing, I do as I’m told. It’s always been like this. Family game nights over the years were out of control, to the point our parents realized at a young age it would be best for their two boys to be on the same team. Putting our powers together to fight for good, instead of allowing them to clash behind the scenes, meant a quieter life for all involved. But we were still boys who shared a room and did everything together.
I get our order and saunter back over, handing him the goods as he gets behind the steering wheel, still grinning and holding Thor on his lap.
“Thanks for the pick-me-up for the drive.” He toasts the air with his drink. “Tomorrow, we race for our dinner.”
“You’re actually insane,” I manage to say with a laugh. “I forgot to ask if you and Bethany are gonna come with Mom and Dad for the charity fundraiser in a few weeks?”
The Sweetkiss Creek Police Department holds a fundraising event every year to raise money for their department projects. This year they decided to throw a charity ball, allowing the good folks in the area to get out their very best formal dresses and dust off their tuxedos. It’s the kind of event that makes me cringe, but I know my parents would want to show up and support the cause because that’s how they roll.
“Laney can’t get off work, but the rest of us are coming.” Taking a bite of his fritter, he eyes me as he chews. In his lap, Thor’s nose wiggles in an attempt to sniff at the sugary treasure. I hope that dog licks his food.
Tuck swallows his bite before narrowing his eyes and sizing me up. “Are you bringing a date?”
I can’t shake my head no hard enough. “Nah, not in the cards for me right now.”
“You can’t lick your wounds forever, Zac.” Tuck gives me a brotherly look of affection that only a sibling can get away with. “Hearts break, but they get put back together, too.”
I know he’s right, but when you’ve been dumped by your college girlfriend for your best friend, well, that’s a sting that stays. I just keep hoping someone or something will take its place because I’m ready for that feeling of hopelessness that’s lingered since then to be erased.
I start to open my mouth, to thank him for his brotherly words of wisdom, but my cell phone chooses that moment to go off in my back pocket. Shifting my weight from one foot to the other, I swipe my mobile from its hiding spot to peek at the screen. Yep, it’s exactly who and what I thought it was.
“I gotta go, Tuck.” I put my drink and apple fritter on the roof of his car before leaning in the window to take Thor back. Gathering my things, I incline my head toward the station. “We’ve got a severe weather event on its way through town at the moment, and you’ll be safer if you stay in your car and get to where you’re going. And fast.”
“Seriously?” Tuck’s eyes almost bug out of his head as he sticks his face out the window, craning his neck to look around, and points to Main Street. “It’s sunny and still, the perfect fall day. What storm are you even talking about?”
“Oh, there’s a storm a-coming.” I nod knowingly, petting Thor as I walk backwards, returning to what I hope is the safety of my desk. “Hurricane Etta. This is one storm that is not to be messed with. She pretty much takes out everyone in a two-mile radius when she makes landfall, so you’d better scoot.”
“Fine, I’m leaving you, weirdo.” Tuck laughs, leaning forward and turning the key in his ignition, bringing the car’s engine to life. “I’ll text you tomorrow when I’m leaving Asheville and on my way back.”
With a wave, he’s gone.
Leaving me alone to go back inside and wait for Hurricane Etta to make landfall.
TWO
Etta
Marching up the front steps to the police station, I make sure to keep my head held high and my shoulders back. I swing the main door open—probably a little bit too hard judging by the way it slams against the brick exterior wall—but hey, I’m a girl who likes to make an entrance.
Scanning the lobby, I look around for the officer in charge—or at least the insufferable one who texted me not even an hour ago.
