Page 73 of Through the Storms
“What’s that hmm for?”
“The texts are from my dad.”
Lana’s jaw tightened. Normally, Oakley’s dad had the knack of saying all the wrong things and cutting Oakley to the quick. Lana put on her brightest smile and said, “What did he have to say?”
Oakley’s expression went from hopeful to pained as she scrolled. She shrugged. “The usual.”
“Oh.” Lana put her hand on Oakley’s knee. Lana hoped he’d texted to congratulate Oakley, but by Oakley’s crestfallen look, that wasn’t what happened.
“Why the fuck should I have expected any different?” Oakley’s eyes flashed anger. Which was an improvement over hurt, but still Lana hated it.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Oakley handed her phone to Lana.
Dad:I suppose congratulations are in order.
That wasn’t bad. Actually, downright sentimental for him, but by Oakley’s reaction, she didn’t take it that way. Lana read on.
Dad:Then again, maybe not since you crashed the car.
The asshole, Lana thought, but didn’t say it to Oakley, who’d closed her eyes and lay her head back.
Dad:Your brother was always the better driver, maybe you should have let him do the driving, huh?
Dad:You don’t seem to be answering, so you’re probably out celebrating or maybe hiding out since everyone in the country got to see your overturned car.
Lana knew she shouldn’t say anything to Oakley, but she couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “He didn’t even ask if you were okay.”
Oakley shrugged but didn’t open her eyes. “And you’re shocked, why?”
“I guess I shouldn’t be.” Lana scanned the rest of the texts. The rest were relatively benign, but the damage had been done. She handed the phone back to Oakley. “You still have phone messages.”
“Yeah.” Oakley took the phone and punched in her access code for her voicemail.
Lana didn’t think it was possible for Oakley to look more defeated, but she was wrong. Oakley’s face fell as she listened to the message.
“You might as well hear this, too.” Oakley set the phone on the bed.
A male voice filled the air. “Hi, Oakley, it’s Tom from the National Weather Service. I’m afraid I have some bad news for you.” Lana clenched her fists as she listened. “It didn’t work. We thought you got the sensors into the storm, but apparently not. We only had one sensor that got any readings at all, and it was pretty much garbage. Sorry. But you’ll get ’em next time.”
The call ended. Oakley drew her knees up to her chest and hugged them to her.
“You heard him.” Lana smiled. “You’ll get them next time.”
“Or maybe Dad’s right. Asher should do the run. I doubt he would have failed.”
Lana drew her brows in and gave Oakley a stern look. “Don’t let that man bring you down. You’ve always risen above, despite him.” Lana snuggled against Oakley. “You’ve proved him wrong at every step, and you will with this, too.”
Oakley wrapped her arm around Lana. “I know. I just wish he was different. I wish just once he could be proud of me.”
“I wish that for you, too, but I don’t know if it’s going to happen.”
“It’s not.” Oakley’s voice held a note of defeat. “I’ll always be second best in his eyes.”
“Well, you aren’t second best in mine.” Lana ran her hand through Oakley’s hair. “What can I do to make you feel better?”
Oakley let out a throaty laugh and lightly brushed Lana’s nipple. “I have a couple ideas.”
