Page 5 of Tempest

I somehow made it through the rest of my so-called date. I’d been so distracted I had no idea what we’d even talked about it. Which made me feel awful. Connor deserved better.

I stepped out of the café and saw my best friend waiting for me. Akira, Wraith’s daughter, waved at me. I walked over and smiled at her.

“You weren’t waiting long, were you?”

Akira shook her head. “Just got here.”

The honking of horns and the buzz of conversation surrounded us as Akira and I weaved through the crowded sidewalk. My heart still raced from the encounter at the café.

“I can’t take it anymore, Akira,” I blurted out, my voice strained. “Tempest was there, watching me the whole time I was with Connor.”

She held up a hand. “Wait. Connor is the guy you knew in high school, right? The one who just came back to town?”

“Yeah. Remember? I told you I ran into him at the bookstore, and he invited me to the café for lunch.”

“Right. Now back to what you were saying about Tempest,” she said.

“It’s like he’s everywhere.”

Akira raised an eyebrow, her hand resting on her slightly swollen belly. “And that’s a problem because…?”

I sighed, frustration bubbling up. “Because he’s Tempest! He’s intense and dangerous and… God, I want him so badly it hurts.”

“Then go for it,” Akira said, nudging me with her elbow. “You’re not a kid anymore, Kasen. You can handle him.”

I scoffed, sidestepping a rushing businessman. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It is easy,” Akira retorted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You want him, he clearly wants you. What’s stopping you?”

“Everything!” I exclaimed, earning a few curious glances from passersby. I lowered my voice. “The club, my dad, his reputation…”

Akira rolled her eyes. “Excuses. Trust me, if your mom managed to tame your dad, you can handle Tempest. We grew up overhearing those stories. Both our dads were total players before they met our moms.”

My stomach fluttered at the thought. “But what if --”

“No what-ifs.” Akira cut me off sharply. “You’re a strong woman, Kasen. It’s time you showed Tempest that.”

I bit my lip, considering her words as we navigated the bustling street. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to face this head-on.

We ducked into a quiet coffee shop on the corner, settling into a secluded booth away from prying ears. The aroma of fresh coffee enveloped us, but it did little to calm my nerves.

“It’s not just about me and Tempest,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “Dad’s still recovering. I can’t pile on more stress with my… personal drama.”

My fingers traced the worn edge of the table, memories of Dad’s pale face in the hospital bed flashing through my mind. The fear of losing him still haunted me. He was home, and mostly healed, but what if he got into another accident? What if I lost him?

Akira reached across, her warm hand covering mine. “Kasen, your dad’s tough. He wouldn’t want you putting your life on hold.”

I met her gaze, seeing the understanding in her eyes. She knew the weight of the MC world better than most.

“When Logan and I first got together,” Akira began, a soft smile playing on her lips, “I was terrified. Not just of him, but of what it meant for my family, for my future.”

I leaned in, hanging on her every word.

“But you know what?” she continued, her voice strong. “Loving him was worth facing those fears. It still is, every single day.”

Her hand drifted to her belly, and I saw the love and certainty in her eyes.

“The club life isn’t easy,” Akira admitted. “But neither is denying what your heart wants. Trust me, I’ve been there.”

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