Storm (Ashes & Embers 1)

“Well, did he eat at all?” I know elderly cats can’t go very long without eating without starting to have liver or kidney problems. Especially, a cat his age.

“I think so, I don’t fucking know. I didn’t count the food.”

I feel tears well up in my eyes. If Halo is sick, I will never forgive myself.

“Okay, Evelyn, I gotta go type up this presentation for this meeting. Send me a text or call me when you’re home, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“All right, I will. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” He hangs up and I stare out the window. I won’t cry in front of Storm. I won’t cry in front of Storm.

“Hey? You okay?” His voice is laced with concern, void of his usual sarcasm. I wipe at my eyes and shove my phone into my purse. “Yes, I’m fine. Is there a taxi service up here?”

“Fuck that. I’ll drive you home.”

I shake my head. “No, Storm. You’ve done enough for me already. Please, just help me get a taxi.

“Evelyn, stop. Let’s have breakfast, and I’ll take you home, okay?”

I look down at my lap. I can’t believe Michael isn’t even home. It’s like he wasn’t even worried about me. He just left the state. He could have told his boss what happened to me and asked to not have to go. I fight back the tears that are threatening to fall.

“He’s a douchenozzle,” Storm announces.

“Storm, don’t.” My voice quivers. I don’t need him pointing out all the things I’m thinking right now.

“Fuck this. Stay here.”

He slams the door and disappears into the cafe. I sit there and try not to cry. I don’t know if I’m more worried about Halo or more pissed at Michael right now. How could he leave like that? I could never just leave if I didn’t know he was okay.

A few minutes later, Storm comes back with two coffees and a white bag.

“White mocha?” He hands it to me. Oh, my God, he remembered. I smile weakly at him.

“I can’t believe you remembered.” He winks at me and hands me the bag.

“Cinnamon bagel with cream cheese. I guessed on that one. It seemed like a girly bagel.

“Thank you. That’s perfect. Very girly.” I smile at him because sometimes he can just be really cute.

“I figured we could eat on the way to your house since there’s no way you were going to sit through breakfast while you’re worried about your cat.”

I take a bite of my bagel and nod. “Thank you,” is all I can say.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to get rid of your ass,” he teases as he pulls out onto the main road.

Chapter Seven

Storm is familiar with the area so I don’t need to give him detailed directions all the way to my house, which I am grateful for because I really don’t feel like talking at all. Maybe I shouldn’t be upset about Michael, and I am just being overly sensitive. After all, it’s his job. It’s not like he purposely made plans so he wouldn’t be around when I finally got home from my adventure.

I slowly sip on my white mocha, which is one of the best I’ve ever had. It’s creamy, sweet¸ and smooth. If the cafe weren’t so damn far away, I wouldn’t mind the drive up there every Saturday just to have one of these lattes. I wonder if Storm eats breakfast there on the weekends.

Storm is puffing on a cigarette and fiddling with the radio. I don’t recall seeing him smoke at his house, which is kind of odd. Maybe it’s his non-smoking zone.

“A quiet Evelyn is a scary Evelyn,” he says with a sideways glance at me.

I continue to stare out the passenger side window and ignore him. He’s like an exotic animal in a zoo—as much as you want to enjoy its beauty, and pet its gorgeous fur, you can’t make eye contact without worrying it might jump on you.

“How’s your mocha thing?”

“It’s really good, actually.”

He takes a final drag on his cigarette and then throws it out the window.

“Does this sort of thing happen a lot, Evelyn?”

I chew on my lip. I don’t want to talk to him, and I especially don’t want to talk about Michael. I think all I really want to do is go home, make sure Halo is okay, and go to bed. For about a week.

“Evelyn? Why aren’t you talking to me?”

An aggravated sigh escapes me before I can stop it. “Storm, I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Maybe you’ll feel better if you do.”

Leaning my head back against the seat, I shake my head. “No, I really won’t.”

He leaves it alone and we don’t talk anymore until we are near my condo. “Turn left here,” I tell him. “It’s the last one on the right.”

He parks in what is my parking spot. “Can I come inside with you for a few minutes?”

I wasn’t planning on him actually coming into my house. It feels too strange to me to have a man who I basically fooled around with in the home I share with Michael. Slut.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea...”

“I’d like to meet Halo and make sure he’s okay before I leave. You’re here without a car. What if he’s sick or something? You’re stuck here.”

Oh, wow. I hadn’t even thought of that. I’m going to be stuck here until Michael comes home tomorrow.

I give in, but only because I want to make sure my cat is okay before I let him go, and it would be rude to make him stay in the car after he let me stay at his gorgeous place.

“All right, you can come inside for a few minutes.”

He grabs my bag and looks around the parking lot before opening his door and coming around to my side to open the door for me. I’m impressed by this gesture. A bit of chivalry at an unexpected time can make a girl really happy. Take note, men!

I feel a bit embarrassed when we go inside. Our condo is small, a bit outdated and rather cluttered. And I have no idea what sort of mess Michael has left behind without me here to clean up after him.

Storm seems huge in my tiny hallway. I take my bag from him and go into the living room and place it on the couch. The room is a mess just as I figured it would be. Soda cans and potato chip bags lying on the coffee table, the TV still on.

My cheeks flush. “I’m sorry... Michael’s a bit of a slob. I usually clean everything.” I pick up the random cans and take them to the kitchen where the garbage is overflowing so bad the lid won’t shut and the sink is filled with dirty dishes. Ugh.

Storm has followed me and I look at him apologetically. “It’s not usually this messy.”

“Evelyn, I don’t care. Go check your cat. I’ll wait here.”

Unfortunately, since Halo is deaf, I can’t call him or shake a bag of cat food so I have to hunt for him. Sometimes, I can stomp my feet on the floor and he will feel the vibration and come running, but I’m not about to jump up and down like a lunatic in front of Storm.

I finally find Halo under my bed all curled up sleeping. I gently blow on him to wake him, and he immediately does his screech-meow at me. I pick him up and cradle him like a baby (which he loves), and carry him downstairs.

“I found him under the bed.”

Storm’s face lights up as soon as he sees him. I think it’s awesome he’s such an animal lover. I can see it in his eyes, the genuine care. “Holy shit, he’s gorgeous. And big.” He reaches out and softly pets Halo’s head. “Wow, I can’t believe he’s eighteen. That’s wild.” I place Halo on the couch and feel his back to see if his spine feels more prominent, which would be a sign of weight loss.

“He seems okay,” Storm says. “Does he seem thinner to you?”

“No, I think he’s good. Thank God. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to him.”

Storm’s gaze goes from Halo to me. “Evie, are you going to be all right here alone?”

“Of course. I’m alone here almost all the time. Michael has to travel for work a lot, so I’m used to it. I just wasn’t expecting it this time, ya know? Thank you for driving me home, Storm.” I look up into his eyes.