Page 45 of Into the Tempest

CHAPTER EIGHT

JEREMIAH

Over the next few hours,Doreen and I issued alert after alert for severe thunderstorms, dangerous hail, heavy falls of rain, rising flood waters, dangerous surf, and sea swells. The list seemed endless.

Right across the top end of the Northern Territory.

I was relieved that Suri was here because she kept Tully company. They set up camp on the floor in the corner, watching the video feeds on his laptop, playing cards, playing with Bruce, telling jokes, and having a great time while the skies turned dark and the storm raged.

By ten o’clock we’d all eaten, and Tully had had a few phone calls with his family, and one FaceTime in which his mother had made a point of asking me, very loudly, if Tully had made sure I’d eaten.

I’d waved awkwardly to her from my seat. “He did, thank you very much for the food.”

“Anytime, dear,” she’d said.

I’d turned back to face my console. Sure, it was busy, and every screen and button was flashing, but mostly so she couldn’t see me blush.

Having a mum fuss over me was strangely comforting. Or having any parent fuss over me was, if I was being honest. But a mother, in particular...

“Isn’t he just the cutest?” Tully had asked his entire family watching the screen.

“Oh, Tully, you look after him, he’s working so hard,” his mum had said. We’d all heard it. Tully had the volume up over the sound of the rain, clearly not needing to hide anything from anyone. Not anyone in his family. Not anyone in this room.

I, on the other hand, was still not used to such outward affection. I ducked my head, and Doreen laughed beside me and shoved my shoulder. “Didn’t think you’d be the shy type.”

“Leave him alone,” Suri chided her.

Tully laughed. “Okay, guys,” he said to the screen. “We’re gonna log off and try and catch some zeds. You do the same, and we’ll talk again in the morning.”

“Okay, love. Sleep tight.”

It made my chest burn to hear them speak with such affection. A mix of embarrassment and longing.

“Remember, be downstairs early,” Tully said.

There were murmurs of goodnights and good lucks, and he ended the video call. The live feeds all showed the same: heavy rainfall, slanted in strong winds that changed direction on a whim. It was gusty, no discernible pattern yet, only mayhem. A mere taste of what was to come.

“Suppose we should take shifts,” Doreen said.

I nodded. “Yes, that would be best. Why don’t you sleep first,” I suggested.

With a nod, Doreen got up and stretched, groaning loudly, her hands almost touching the ceiling. “Okay, Tully, get up,” she said brusquely. “You’re in my spot.”

With a grin, he got up, taking his laptop with him, and gestured to the floor next to Suri. “All yours.”

As soon as Doreen was lying down, Bruce jumped on her, and Suri curled under her arm, like it was exactly how the three of them slept every night.

It was kinda sweet.

Tully fell into Doreen’s chair and slowly wheeled himself over to me. “You know,” he said. “I deliberately didn’t pack condoms in our bag, but there is lube.”

“Still not asleep down here,” Doreen said from the corner.

I gasped. “Oh my god.”

Tully laughed, then pretended to whisper, “You know, I deliberately didn’t pack condoms in our bag...”

Suri laughed and I wanted to die.

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