Page 66 of Whirlwind

“No, I wasn’t,” I say sternly. “I don’t regret us. The only thing I regret is lying to you in the first place.”

Once again, the room fills with silence, and I fucking hate it. The desire to pin her to the bed grows stronger now. I want to show her how much I don’t regret her, how good we are together. I don’t care about my fucking job, and the more she talks about us parting for it—even if it’s for a brief period—the more I realize I want to give it up. Not just for her, but for me. I have so much in this world I enjoy, that I can be a partof. Teaching is a very small part of me, and I can always teach again in the future, though not at Midland Springs. This doesn’t have to be the end if I don’t want it to be.

I open my mouth to tell her all that I’m thinking, but Finley places her fingers on my lips, a melancholy smile on her face. “I’m not saying we don’t have a future. But I am saying that we need to slow down and think about this. We should at least take time after this weekend to think about everything that’s happened.”

Her words stab at my chest. “Are you breaking up with me?”

She sighs. “I’m not breaking up with you. Especially when we haven’t figured out what we are yet.”

“I know what I want you to be.”My girlfriend and eventually more. I’d book us tickets to Vegas tomorrow if she’d agree to marry me. But that’s not what she wants.

“Like I said, I’m not saying we can’t ever be, Ryker. But can you give me—us—some time? Let’s think about this for more than a day. Can you do that for me?”

Can I? I want to say no. But as I stare into her eyes, searching them to make sure this is what she really wants, I know I can’t deny what she’s asking me, because I can’t deny her.

So though it pains me, I tip my chin. “I can try.”

Her shoulders relax, and she cups my jaw. “I’m not saying this is over.”

Despite her words, it still feels like it could be. “Okay.”

“Now, will you hold me while we fall asleep? It’s freezing in here.” Her lips tip up gently, and I can’t say no.

“Anything you want, baby.”

Chapter twenty-four

Finley

“Woo-wee, that was aweekend for the books.” Joey drops his bags on the ground near the front door of his home then pulls Ryker in for a hug before he can protest.

As the two men embrace, I stifle a laugh. Ryker tries to pull away, but Joey holds him firm, smacking him on the back. “I’ll miss you so much, Tornado Daddy.”

Ryker’s back shakes with laughter as he pats Joey awkwardly. “I’ll miss you, too, Joseph.”

Joey jolts back, eyes wide as he holds Ryker’s shoulders and grins. “Are you serious?”

“No,” Ryker deadpans.

A second later, the two men are cackling at their own antics.

“Anywho, give me a call if you want me on your next chase. Like I said, I quit my job, so…anytime.”

“The Storm Prediction Center said we could get a good line of storms coming later this week. Give Hawk a call, and let him know your schedule.”

At the sound of Hawk’s name, Joey truly blushes. Or he’s blushing because Ryker invited him on another chase. Either way, it’s cute as hell, and I find myself smiling despite how ill I’ve felt since my conversation with Ryker last night.

Looking back, I shouldn’t have jumped him when he came into the hotel room, because it made not touching him or being googly-eyed over him today harder. But after the successful launch and all the swirling thoughts in my head, I had a weakmoment where I wanted to be connected with him again. But now, because of me, we’re in a strange limbo.

Since we woke this morning, Ryker has struggled to be cheery. Which means he’s struggled to be the excited and exuberant man he was before our talk last night. He’s done his best, and at least this drive he was nicer than the one before.

We spent the majority of it chatting about the data Hawk’s been starting to analyze. Joey, however, knew something was up between us. He kept staring at me when he thought I wasn’t looking then doing the same to Ryker, burning a hole in the side of his head like he was attempting to read his mind.

“Will do, T-Daddy. Thanks for having me along. I’ve already given Ezra all of my drone footage from the weekend, but I’m going to review it and send over anything I find interesting.”

“Thanks, man.”

They do another gruff hug, and then Ryker steps away so Joey has access to me. My friend wraps his arms around me and squeezes me so tight, all the air leaves my lungs.

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