Page 26 of Waves of Fury

Now, I’m grateful for his presence.

I need someone to cling onto or I might as well just let myself drift out to sea.

“We’re going to get through this,” Kellen whispers. “I promise.”

I’m not sure if it’s meant for me or himself or the entire group, but I latch onto it anyway. I believe his every word because I can’t mentally afford not to.

We’re going to get through this.

We have to.

Kellen

Idon’t like feeling weak or being injured or needing caring for. Ever since Mom died—I’ve been officially on my own and doing a damn fine job all by myself. I survived my father, survived moving across country, survived entrepreneurship.

And here I am surviving the apocalypse too.

Except I’m not doing it alone.

I have seven employeesand Tyler.

Honestly, without Tyler, I feel like this would be a helluva lot harder than it already is. He’s proving to be more than a capable leader. Tyler is strong and remains composed in the face of terror. Compared to him, I’m weak, just like my father always said.

Yet, somehow, Tyler doesn’t make me feel that way.

He’s easy on the eyes too…

I desperately try to squash down that thought. I’ve been fighting that part of me for far too long. Having a conservative, strict rancher father, being gay wasn’t accepted. Hell, it wasn’t even allowed. His scornful laugh when I’d come out to him and Mom as a teenager still haunts me to this day. She’d run interference like always, assuring me that though she didn’t understand my sexuality, she still loved me.

But Dad?

He thought I was a joke. That this was some phase I’d grow out of and later regret. My father truly never understood my attraction to men or the fact it wasn’t something I’d simply get over one day.

I never got over it.

What he did instill in me, though, was insecurity over my sexuality. I don’t date and I certainly don’t get into any sort of relationships. I’ve successfully scratched the itch from time to time via dating apps, but it was never for more than a hookup.

Tyler stirs something deep inside me. His youthful face is hardened with stories I’m curious to know about.

If I’d met him through the app, I’d have enjoyed the random hookup, no doubt, but I’d have gone back for more. He’s the kind of guy that had I permitted myself to date, I might’ve finally allowed myself to let go of all my hang-ups.

In another life, maybe.

In this one, I’m forced to be with him as we fight for our lives, but nothing will ever come of the attraction I feel. Hell, he probably sees me as a water-fearing dinosaur who needs saving every time he turns around.

Pathetic.

I still can’t believe what an asshole I was to him just hours ago. He’d only been doing his job, got stuck in an elevator, and then took the brunt of my stress. Tyler is worried about his brothers and has managed to hold his shit together. It’s admirable.

As far as my brother goes, I’m trying not to worry about him. He’s done well for himself over the years, helping with the ranch and making a name for himself in my hometown. If any of these weather happenings or catastrophes are affecting Texas like it is here in California, Knox will know just what to do. He’ll probably find a way to save everyone in town and all the livestock too.

Please, God, let him be okay.

Tyler’s hand squeezes mine, letting me know he’s awake. It’s dark in the stairwell with the door closed behind us now that it’s nighttime. My watch isn’t working anymore, but if I had to guess, it’s probably well after midnight. We haven’t had any water surges or boat crashes in hours. Maybe the worst is behind us.

“You awake?” Tyler murmurs, his head turning toward me. Hot breath tickles over my cheeks, sending heat blooming in my chest. “This is uncomfortable as hell.”

I can hear Gerry snoring the loudest above the others, who appear to still be asleep.

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