The First Step, page 19
“You takin’ photos?” Vic gestured to Reed’s camera.
“I am.”
“What kind?”
Reed considered the question. “I don’t know. I let my eyes tell me what to shoot.” He nodded to the pier. “The water flying around and the slick wood beneath. Or the way the waves break on the sand with the storm. It’s different than usual. Wilder, but then they creep up like they’re sneaking toward land, ready to take someone like me by surprise.”
“You writin’ about that?”
“Maybe.” It wasn’t what he was supposed to write about, but that had never stopped him before.
“I used to fish these here waters,” Vic said. “I’m too old now, but my son’s a shrimper outa Morehead City. Things’ve changed ’round here. Everythin’ but the water.”
Reed nodded and pointed his camera at the surf, zooming in to catch the foam and the tiny holes left behind where the crawfish burrowed. Normally there’d be lots of birds around, sandpipers and the like, digging their beaks into the sand to try to catch some dinner. Today the gulls huddled under the pier, wings tight against their bodies as the wind whipped around them.
“You miss it? Fishing?” Reed asked.
“Sometimes. But watchin’ ain’t bad.” He offered Reed a wide, toothy grin. “Beats those early mornin’s in the cold. Speakin’ of which,” he added, “I’d better be goin’. Wife’ll be worryin’ ’bout me.”
“You mind if I come talk to you? After the storm?”
Vic shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll be ’round. Most of the folks ’round here know me.”
“Thanks, Vic. I really appreciate it.” Reed watched as Vic sauntered down the beach to the access trail and disappeared over the dunes. He lifted his camera again and took a photo of the gulls, then aimed his lens out to sea and focused on the breaking waves and the way the water flew upward as they roiled and churned.
After a while his arms began to ache, and he let the camera hang around his neck. He pulled out his phone and glanced at the time: 5:30 p.m. Just then, a huge gust of wind nearly knocked him off his feet and splashed the phone. He wiped the water off the screen, thankful once again for the waterproof case.
Five thirty? Shit. The last time he’d checked, it had been a few minutes before three. He walked under the pier, where the rain and spray weren’t as heavy, then tapped the screen. No reception. He sighed.
Time to head back. Justin would be irritated, but it was only ten blocks or so. He slipped his soggy shoes back on and followed the trail over the dune. He reached the street, but it was flooded.
He rolled his damp pants up to his knees, realizing how futile the gesture was since they were soaked through, then pulled off his shoes and waded in. By the time he reached the middle of the street, the water was knee-high. Not pleasant but doable. He smiled when he imagined the hot shower he’d take at Justin’s, his smile broadening when he added Justin to the shower fantasy.
He nearly reached the other side when he slid on something and fell headfirst into the muddy water. He got to his knees and tried to stand, but the asphalt must have been covered in mud because he slipped again, this time scraping his knee in the process.
“Shit.” His knee stung as he finally got back to his feet. He looked up to see someone on the curb dressed head to toe in rain gear, offering him a hand. He grabbed on and the man pulled him out of the water. “Thanks.”
“Yep.” Justin pushed back the hood of his jacket and glared at him. “He’ll be back by three, he says. He won’t do anything stupid, he says.”
“Sorry. I—”
“Got distracted?” Justin scowled. Judging by the tension in his jaw, he was pissed. “Yep. I figured as much.”
Reed hadn’t noticed they were the only ones around. Even the vans with the news crews had disappeared. “Everyone’s gone. Shit, I—”
“That’s because it’s dangerous out here.” Justin pulled him down the street to a parking lot, never letting go of Reed’s hand. “Get in.”
“I’m going to get the truck all muddy.”
“Get your ass inside.”
“Aye-aye, sir.”
Justin’s shoulders tensed as he started the truck.
“Listen, Justin, I’m really sorry.”
Justin banged the steering wheel with a fist. “The hell, Reed,” he nearly shouted. “How many times do I have to save your ass? You’re going to fucking kill yourself one of these days.”
Reed swallowed hard. He’d never seen Justin this angry. “Justin, I’m—”
“You’re always sorry. Except you aren’t at all, are you? It’s all bullshit.” Before Reed could respond, Justin continued, “You’ve got the apology down pat, but you do whatever the fuck you want. You don’t give a shit that someone might actually care what happens to you.” Justin shook with anger.
“Hey.” Reed put a tentative hand on Justin’s forearm. Justin didn’t push him away, but he didn’t look at him either. “I really am sorry I put you through this again. And you’re right. I should think about other people. I—”
Justin grabbed Reed and held him so tight, it almost hurt. He must have realized this, because he eased off a bit, although he didn’t release Reed either. “When you didn’t come back… I wasn’t… I didn’t know… I thought maybe this time… I didn’t know if I could handle it if something happened.” Justin’s voice broke with this last admission.
Reed swallowed back a wave of powerful regret. “You’re right.” He sighed against Justin’s cheek. The warmth was back again, more powerful than before. Knowing Justin cared enough about him to be that angry made Reed feel really good.
For the longest time, Justin said nothing. Then he released Reed and straightened in his seat. He took a few audible breaths as if steadying himself, then said in a voice so low, Reed could barely hear him with the sound of the howling wind outside, “Promise me next time you’ll remember there is someone—” Justin hesitated. “There are people who care what happens to you.”
Reed nodded, unable to speak. In New York, people cared about what happened to him. But the few times he’d ended up in the hospital after a stupid-ass stunt, he’d gone home to an empty apartment. Justin being there for him felt like home.
“Good.” Justin’s demeanor changed in an instant. Gone was the vulnerable man, replaced by the consummate professional, cool, calm, and completely in control. “Now put your seat belt on. We’re getting out of here.”
“You going to be able to drive with all this water?” Reed asked after he’d buckled up.
“We’ll see.” Justin headed out onto the side street, bypassing the street—now river—Reed had fallen into.
Reed shivered.
“There’s a backpack at your feet,” Justin said. “I put an emergency blanket inside.”
“Thanks.” Reed fished out the blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders.
“I’m going to have to take a detour. There’s too much water on the highway near the house.”
Reed nodded. The blanket helped, but his teeth hadn’t stopped chattering.
“There’s some water in there too. Drink some.”
“I’m not thir—”
“It’s easy to go into shock when you’re cold and wet. Drink the water. You’ll feel better.” Justin glanced at Reed and smiled, although Reed saw a hint of worry in his eyes. “Trust me, please?”
“Okay.” Reed did as he was told. He was thirstier than he’d realized.
“Better?” Justin asked after a few minutes.
“Yes. Thanks.” Reed took a deep breath to dispel the powerful emotions that churned in his chest like the storm.
“Good.”
Reed’s heart, which had been pounding since Justin’s outburst, now slowed a bit as he watched out the windshield, amazed that Justin could see anything. As if he’d read Reed’s thoughts, Justin said, “I’m used to days like this.” He tapped his sunglasses. “These help too.”
“Sorry I made you worry.”
“It’s okay. We’ll be back home in just a few—” Justin slammed on the brakes, and the truck swerved and shuddered.
A tree landed on the road a few feet in front of them. “Holy shit.”
Justin blew air from tensed lips. “You okay?”
Reed nodded. His pulse pounded in his ears.
“Stay put. Let me see how bad it is.” Justin put his hood on and stepped out of the truck. He was back less than a minute later, dripping with water.
“Well?”
“No way we’re going to be able to move the tree.”
“Can we go around?” Reed asked.
Justin shook his head. “This is the only road back to my place that isn’t flooded. We’re going to need to walk the rest of the way.”
“No problem.” He could do that. Hell, he’d gone swimming in mud and he’d been fine, right? “What about the truck?”
“I’ll pull it onto the lawn. It’s a little higher than the street, so it should be safe there.” Justin flipped a switch back and forth. “Just want to be sure we have four-wheel drive.”
“Oh.”
Justin revved the engine. “Hang on. This could be a little bumpy.”
“Okay.” Reed held on to the door handle as Justin downshifted and pressed the gas pedal. The truck slipped a little on the muddy ground, and their heads nearly hit the top of the cab.
“Come on, baby,” Justin said under his breath.
The truck shuddered and slipped but finally straightened out about fifty feet from the front walkway.
“I made a mess of their lawn.”
“I’m sure they’ll forgive you.” Reed was surprised at how shaky his voice sounded.
“How’re you doing?” Justin asked.
“I’ve had better days.”
Justin pulled the emergency brake and cut the engine. “It’s going to be a little hairy getting back. You up for this?”
Reed nodded. “I’m fine. Just a little terrified.”
Justin took his hand and met his gaze. “We’ll take it slow and we’ll do this together.” He wore the same calm expression he’d had when he’d made the transfer just a week before. And just like that, Reed was sure they’d be fine.
Chapter Thirty-Five
JUSTIN HOPPED out of the truck and walked around to the passenger side. He grabbed the backpack from under Reed’s feet and slung it over his shoulder. “Take my hand. It’s pretty slippery, and your boat shoes aren’t going to help much.” Justin was thankful he’d had the presence of mind to wear work boots with good treads.
Reed nodded. He looked less worried than he had a moment ago, but his hand trembled in Justin’s. Justin hoped his outburst hadn’t made things worse. Why had he lost control like that?
He glanced around for the best route back to the house. The streets were wet, but nothing like where Reed had fallen near the beach. “We’ll take the street until it dead-ends.” They’d have to cross a few neighbors’ yards to make it back, but most of that would be on higher ground.
He’d expected Reed to hesitate, but he managed his way onto the road without Justin’s help.
“How many do I owe you now?” Reed squeezed Justin’s hand as they turned directly into the wind.
“I’ve lost count,” Justin shouted. “I’m sure we can find a way for you to—”
Reed pushed Justin so hard he nearly ended up on the concrete. Before he opened his mouth to tell Reed he’d overreacted, a large branch crashed down where Justin had been standing.
“That’s one less I owe you.” Reed smiled, but his cheeks were pale, and Justin could see he was trying not to shiver.
Justin pulled off his jacket and, over Reed’s vocal protests, helped Reed into it. “I’m not as wet as you are, and my bibs will keep me warm enough.” The last thing they needed was for Reed to go into shock. Even with the power out at home—and given the dark houses all around them, Justin figured it was—Reed would warm up pretty quickly.
“Thanks.”
“Yep.” Justin headed them onto the grass in front of Marjorie Mayfield’s yard. Her beautiful rosebushes lay flat against the grass, and the burning bush she’d been nursing from a tiny plant leaned dangerously to one side. After the storm blew over, he’d see if the plants were salvageable and help her plant new ones if need be.
Reed stumbled over a piece of wood that looked like it had broken free from the fencing near the highway over one hundred feet away. “I’m fine,” he said before Justin could fuss over him.
“Okay.” Justin looked Reed’s leg over and for the first time noticed his torn pants and bloodied knee. There wasn’t any time to deal with it now. “We’re almost there.”
Reed nodded and they squeezed between two large hedges at the far side of Marjorie’s property. His house was visible three doors down. Justin walked faster now, checking from time to time to see that Reed was all right.
“It’s right through there.” He turned around and walked backward a few steps. He hadn’t been expecting the slight dip where the grass ended and the mulch around the bushes began. He slipped and landed on his ass in the mud.
Reed shook his head and pulled Justin back to his feet. At that moment, a gust of wind slammed into them, sending them both to the ground. Justin started laughing and Reed joined him. Both of them sat there for a full minute or two, laughing until tears ran down their cheeks and mingled with the rain.
Justin sighed. He shouldn’t be happy covered in mud, soaked to the skin, with the wind stinging his cheeks, but he couldn’t recall the last time he’d laughed as hard and long. Something inside of him burst through the self-control, and happiness flooded his heart like the sun through a break in the clouds. It didn’t matter that they were outside in the middle of a hurricane. With Reed at his side, Justin knew he could do anything. That they could do anything.
“Let’s do this.” Reed got to his feet and helped Justin to stand, and they held hands and walked slowly over the slippery grass as they leaned into the wind.
Nearly ten minutes later, Justin opened the front door to his house and they tumbled inside. Leila ran over to them as Justin secured the door.
“Good girl. I bet you were worried about us, weren’t you?” Justin petted her and scratched her head, causing her tail to spin like a helicopter.
Justin and Reed peeled off their layers in the semidarkness and stumbled to Justin’s room with Leila at their heels. As dark as it was, Reed’s lips still looked blue. Justin grabbed the comforter off his bed, wrapped it around Reed, and helped him sit on the chair near the window.
“Hot bath for you.” Justin filled the tub, thankful the water heater was gas. Once Reed was happily soaking, Justin went to retrieve his emergency supplies from the closet off the kitchen. He cranked up the gas lantern and went back to check on Reed. After the worst of the storm passed, he’d get the generator started.
“Feeling better?”
“God, yes. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so cold in my life.” Reed’s color was already 100 percent better. “Too bad there isn’t room enough for two.”
“There is in the hot tub out back.” Justin grinned.
“I’ve always wanted to try out a hot tub when there are projectiles flying around.” Reed stood, and Justin handed him a towel. “You’re next, by the way.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”
Justin’s face was covered with dirt, and there was an angry scratch on his cheek from the bushes they’d squeezed between. “Fine. But do me a favor?” Justin reached below the sink and pulled out a first aid kit. “Have a seat on the toilet and put this on your knee to stop the bleeding.”
Reed looked down, and his eyes grew wide as he took in the lines of blood running down to his ankle. “Shit. I didn’t realize I’d scraped it that bad. It doesn’t hurt very much.”
“The bath’ll help clean it out, but we’ll need to put something stronger on it.” Justin shed his boxers and turned on the shower. “Stay put and once I’m finished, I’ll clean it and bandage it up.”
An hour later they sat across from each other at the kitchen table and ate cold steaks by candlelight with Leila on the floor beneath their feet. “Not exactly romantic.”
“Best meal I’ve had in forever.” Reed looked back to normal, although he yawned between bites.
“Did you get your interviews?” Justin asked.
“I got some great ones, but I’m not sure they’re what Cal was looking for.” Reed grinned. “I talked to a local, Vic Walton—you know him?”
“Sure. He and Marty go way back. If I remember right, they might’ve even gone to the same high school.”
“I did the requisite interviews of beach house homeowners riding out the storm. I even spoke to the woman who runs the coffee shop near the pier.” Reed sighed and shook his head. “Me and a million other reporters.”
“But that’s what Cal wants, right?”
Reed shrugged. “Cal gets his marching orders from the big boss, but he usually lets me run with my instincts.”
“Like the pilot story?”
“Yeah.” Reed smirked. “Like that. I get the bug and….”
“And the story won’t shut up until you write it.” Justin smiled. What he’d mistaken for a ballsy attitude when they’d first met wasn’t anything of the sort. “We’re a lot alike in that way, you know.”
“We are?”
Justin nodded.
“How so?”
“Your love of your work is the same as mine. It drives you to do things other people might think are crazy stupid.” Justin had never asked his sisters what they thought of his job, but he guessed they might think he was an idiot to put his neck on the line to make a living.
“The ocean’s in your blood. It’s like someone whispering in your ear.”
“Yep. It’s a lot like that.” Justin picked up his beer and took a long drink. “Maybe there’ll come a time when I won’t be able to do it anymore.” He thought of Marty and how he still talked about his seafaring days as though they were yesterday. It wasn’t just the dementia either. Marty’d always been like that.
Reed yawned again. “Sorry I’m not better company.”
“I am.”
“What kind?”
Reed considered the question. “I don’t know. I let my eyes tell me what to shoot.” He nodded to the pier. “The water flying around and the slick wood beneath. Or the way the waves break on the sand with the storm. It’s different than usual. Wilder, but then they creep up like they’re sneaking toward land, ready to take someone like me by surprise.”
“You writin’ about that?”
“Maybe.” It wasn’t what he was supposed to write about, but that had never stopped him before.
“I used to fish these here waters,” Vic said. “I’m too old now, but my son’s a shrimper outa Morehead City. Things’ve changed ’round here. Everythin’ but the water.”
Reed nodded and pointed his camera at the surf, zooming in to catch the foam and the tiny holes left behind where the crawfish burrowed. Normally there’d be lots of birds around, sandpipers and the like, digging their beaks into the sand to try to catch some dinner. Today the gulls huddled under the pier, wings tight against their bodies as the wind whipped around them.
“You miss it? Fishing?” Reed asked.
“Sometimes. But watchin’ ain’t bad.” He offered Reed a wide, toothy grin. “Beats those early mornin’s in the cold. Speakin’ of which,” he added, “I’d better be goin’. Wife’ll be worryin’ ’bout me.”
“You mind if I come talk to you? After the storm?”
Vic shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll be ’round. Most of the folks ’round here know me.”
“Thanks, Vic. I really appreciate it.” Reed watched as Vic sauntered down the beach to the access trail and disappeared over the dunes. He lifted his camera again and took a photo of the gulls, then aimed his lens out to sea and focused on the breaking waves and the way the water flew upward as they roiled and churned.
After a while his arms began to ache, and he let the camera hang around his neck. He pulled out his phone and glanced at the time: 5:30 p.m. Just then, a huge gust of wind nearly knocked him off his feet and splashed the phone. He wiped the water off the screen, thankful once again for the waterproof case.
Five thirty? Shit. The last time he’d checked, it had been a few minutes before three. He walked under the pier, where the rain and spray weren’t as heavy, then tapped the screen. No reception. He sighed.
Time to head back. Justin would be irritated, but it was only ten blocks or so. He slipped his soggy shoes back on and followed the trail over the dune. He reached the street, but it was flooded.
He rolled his damp pants up to his knees, realizing how futile the gesture was since they were soaked through, then pulled off his shoes and waded in. By the time he reached the middle of the street, the water was knee-high. Not pleasant but doable. He smiled when he imagined the hot shower he’d take at Justin’s, his smile broadening when he added Justin to the shower fantasy.
He nearly reached the other side when he slid on something and fell headfirst into the muddy water. He got to his knees and tried to stand, but the asphalt must have been covered in mud because he slipped again, this time scraping his knee in the process.
“Shit.” His knee stung as he finally got back to his feet. He looked up to see someone on the curb dressed head to toe in rain gear, offering him a hand. He grabbed on and the man pulled him out of the water. “Thanks.”
“Yep.” Justin pushed back the hood of his jacket and glared at him. “He’ll be back by three, he says. He won’t do anything stupid, he says.”
“Sorry. I—”
“Got distracted?” Justin scowled. Judging by the tension in his jaw, he was pissed. “Yep. I figured as much.”
Reed hadn’t noticed they were the only ones around. Even the vans with the news crews had disappeared. “Everyone’s gone. Shit, I—”
“That’s because it’s dangerous out here.” Justin pulled him down the street to a parking lot, never letting go of Reed’s hand. “Get in.”
“I’m going to get the truck all muddy.”
“Get your ass inside.”
“Aye-aye, sir.”
Justin’s shoulders tensed as he started the truck.
“Listen, Justin, I’m really sorry.”
Justin banged the steering wheel with a fist. “The hell, Reed,” he nearly shouted. “How many times do I have to save your ass? You’re going to fucking kill yourself one of these days.”
Reed swallowed hard. He’d never seen Justin this angry. “Justin, I’m—”
“You’re always sorry. Except you aren’t at all, are you? It’s all bullshit.” Before Reed could respond, Justin continued, “You’ve got the apology down pat, but you do whatever the fuck you want. You don’t give a shit that someone might actually care what happens to you.” Justin shook with anger.
“Hey.” Reed put a tentative hand on Justin’s forearm. Justin didn’t push him away, but he didn’t look at him either. “I really am sorry I put you through this again. And you’re right. I should think about other people. I—”
Justin grabbed Reed and held him so tight, it almost hurt. He must have realized this, because he eased off a bit, although he didn’t release Reed either. “When you didn’t come back… I wasn’t… I didn’t know… I thought maybe this time… I didn’t know if I could handle it if something happened.” Justin’s voice broke with this last admission.
Reed swallowed back a wave of powerful regret. “You’re right.” He sighed against Justin’s cheek. The warmth was back again, more powerful than before. Knowing Justin cared enough about him to be that angry made Reed feel really good.
For the longest time, Justin said nothing. Then he released Reed and straightened in his seat. He took a few audible breaths as if steadying himself, then said in a voice so low, Reed could barely hear him with the sound of the howling wind outside, “Promise me next time you’ll remember there is someone—” Justin hesitated. “There are people who care what happens to you.”
Reed nodded, unable to speak. In New York, people cared about what happened to him. But the few times he’d ended up in the hospital after a stupid-ass stunt, he’d gone home to an empty apartment. Justin being there for him felt like home.
“Good.” Justin’s demeanor changed in an instant. Gone was the vulnerable man, replaced by the consummate professional, cool, calm, and completely in control. “Now put your seat belt on. We’re getting out of here.”
“You going to be able to drive with all this water?” Reed asked after he’d buckled up.
“We’ll see.” Justin headed out onto the side street, bypassing the street—now river—Reed had fallen into.
Reed shivered.
“There’s a backpack at your feet,” Justin said. “I put an emergency blanket inside.”
“Thanks.” Reed fished out the blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders.
“I’m going to have to take a detour. There’s too much water on the highway near the house.”
Reed nodded. The blanket helped, but his teeth hadn’t stopped chattering.
“There’s some water in there too. Drink some.”
“I’m not thir—”
“It’s easy to go into shock when you’re cold and wet. Drink the water. You’ll feel better.” Justin glanced at Reed and smiled, although Reed saw a hint of worry in his eyes. “Trust me, please?”
“Okay.” Reed did as he was told. He was thirstier than he’d realized.
“Better?” Justin asked after a few minutes.
“Yes. Thanks.” Reed took a deep breath to dispel the powerful emotions that churned in his chest like the storm.
“Good.”
Reed’s heart, which had been pounding since Justin’s outburst, now slowed a bit as he watched out the windshield, amazed that Justin could see anything. As if he’d read Reed’s thoughts, Justin said, “I’m used to days like this.” He tapped his sunglasses. “These help too.”
“Sorry I made you worry.”
“It’s okay. We’ll be back home in just a few—” Justin slammed on the brakes, and the truck swerved and shuddered.
A tree landed on the road a few feet in front of them. “Holy shit.”
Justin blew air from tensed lips. “You okay?”
Reed nodded. His pulse pounded in his ears.
“Stay put. Let me see how bad it is.” Justin put his hood on and stepped out of the truck. He was back less than a minute later, dripping with water.
“Well?”
“No way we’re going to be able to move the tree.”
“Can we go around?” Reed asked.
Justin shook his head. “This is the only road back to my place that isn’t flooded. We’re going to need to walk the rest of the way.”
“No problem.” He could do that. Hell, he’d gone swimming in mud and he’d been fine, right? “What about the truck?”
“I’ll pull it onto the lawn. It’s a little higher than the street, so it should be safe there.” Justin flipped a switch back and forth. “Just want to be sure we have four-wheel drive.”
“Oh.”
Justin revved the engine. “Hang on. This could be a little bumpy.”
“Okay.” Reed held on to the door handle as Justin downshifted and pressed the gas pedal. The truck slipped a little on the muddy ground, and their heads nearly hit the top of the cab.
“Come on, baby,” Justin said under his breath.
The truck shuddered and slipped but finally straightened out about fifty feet from the front walkway.
“I made a mess of their lawn.”
“I’m sure they’ll forgive you.” Reed was surprised at how shaky his voice sounded.
“How’re you doing?” Justin asked.
“I’ve had better days.”
Justin pulled the emergency brake and cut the engine. “It’s going to be a little hairy getting back. You up for this?”
Reed nodded. “I’m fine. Just a little terrified.”
Justin took his hand and met his gaze. “We’ll take it slow and we’ll do this together.” He wore the same calm expression he’d had when he’d made the transfer just a week before. And just like that, Reed was sure they’d be fine.
Chapter Thirty-Five
JUSTIN HOPPED out of the truck and walked around to the passenger side. He grabbed the backpack from under Reed’s feet and slung it over his shoulder. “Take my hand. It’s pretty slippery, and your boat shoes aren’t going to help much.” Justin was thankful he’d had the presence of mind to wear work boots with good treads.
Reed nodded. He looked less worried than he had a moment ago, but his hand trembled in Justin’s. Justin hoped his outburst hadn’t made things worse. Why had he lost control like that?
He glanced around for the best route back to the house. The streets were wet, but nothing like where Reed had fallen near the beach. “We’ll take the street until it dead-ends.” They’d have to cross a few neighbors’ yards to make it back, but most of that would be on higher ground.
He’d expected Reed to hesitate, but he managed his way onto the road without Justin’s help.
“How many do I owe you now?” Reed squeezed Justin’s hand as they turned directly into the wind.
“I’ve lost count,” Justin shouted. “I’m sure we can find a way for you to—”
Reed pushed Justin so hard he nearly ended up on the concrete. Before he opened his mouth to tell Reed he’d overreacted, a large branch crashed down where Justin had been standing.
“That’s one less I owe you.” Reed smiled, but his cheeks were pale, and Justin could see he was trying not to shiver.
Justin pulled off his jacket and, over Reed’s vocal protests, helped Reed into it. “I’m not as wet as you are, and my bibs will keep me warm enough.” The last thing they needed was for Reed to go into shock. Even with the power out at home—and given the dark houses all around them, Justin figured it was—Reed would warm up pretty quickly.
“Thanks.”
“Yep.” Justin headed them onto the grass in front of Marjorie Mayfield’s yard. Her beautiful rosebushes lay flat against the grass, and the burning bush she’d been nursing from a tiny plant leaned dangerously to one side. After the storm blew over, he’d see if the plants were salvageable and help her plant new ones if need be.
Reed stumbled over a piece of wood that looked like it had broken free from the fencing near the highway over one hundred feet away. “I’m fine,” he said before Justin could fuss over him.
“Okay.” Justin looked Reed’s leg over and for the first time noticed his torn pants and bloodied knee. There wasn’t any time to deal with it now. “We’re almost there.”
Reed nodded and they squeezed between two large hedges at the far side of Marjorie’s property. His house was visible three doors down. Justin walked faster now, checking from time to time to see that Reed was all right.
“It’s right through there.” He turned around and walked backward a few steps. He hadn’t been expecting the slight dip where the grass ended and the mulch around the bushes began. He slipped and landed on his ass in the mud.
Reed shook his head and pulled Justin back to his feet. At that moment, a gust of wind slammed into them, sending them both to the ground. Justin started laughing and Reed joined him. Both of them sat there for a full minute or two, laughing until tears ran down their cheeks and mingled with the rain.
Justin sighed. He shouldn’t be happy covered in mud, soaked to the skin, with the wind stinging his cheeks, but he couldn’t recall the last time he’d laughed as hard and long. Something inside of him burst through the self-control, and happiness flooded his heart like the sun through a break in the clouds. It didn’t matter that they were outside in the middle of a hurricane. With Reed at his side, Justin knew he could do anything. That they could do anything.
“Let’s do this.” Reed got to his feet and helped Justin to stand, and they held hands and walked slowly over the slippery grass as they leaned into the wind.
Nearly ten minutes later, Justin opened the front door to his house and they tumbled inside. Leila ran over to them as Justin secured the door.
“Good girl. I bet you were worried about us, weren’t you?” Justin petted her and scratched her head, causing her tail to spin like a helicopter.
Justin and Reed peeled off their layers in the semidarkness and stumbled to Justin’s room with Leila at their heels. As dark as it was, Reed’s lips still looked blue. Justin grabbed the comforter off his bed, wrapped it around Reed, and helped him sit on the chair near the window.
“Hot bath for you.” Justin filled the tub, thankful the water heater was gas. Once Reed was happily soaking, Justin went to retrieve his emergency supplies from the closet off the kitchen. He cranked up the gas lantern and went back to check on Reed. After the worst of the storm passed, he’d get the generator started.
“Feeling better?”
“God, yes. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so cold in my life.” Reed’s color was already 100 percent better. “Too bad there isn’t room enough for two.”
“There is in the hot tub out back.” Justin grinned.
“I’ve always wanted to try out a hot tub when there are projectiles flying around.” Reed stood, and Justin handed him a towel. “You’re next, by the way.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”
Justin’s face was covered with dirt, and there was an angry scratch on his cheek from the bushes they’d squeezed between. “Fine. But do me a favor?” Justin reached below the sink and pulled out a first aid kit. “Have a seat on the toilet and put this on your knee to stop the bleeding.”
Reed looked down, and his eyes grew wide as he took in the lines of blood running down to his ankle. “Shit. I didn’t realize I’d scraped it that bad. It doesn’t hurt very much.”
“The bath’ll help clean it out, but we’ll need to put something stronger on it.” Justin shed his boxers and turned on the shower. “Stay put and once I’m finished, I’ll clean it and bandage it up.”
An hour later they sat across from each other at the kitchen table and ate cold steaks by candlelight with Leila on the floor beneath their feet. “Not exactly romantic.”
“Best meal I’ve had in forever.” Reed looked back to normal, although he yawned between bites.
“Did you get your interviews?” Justin asked.
“I got some great ones, but I’m not sure they’re what Cal was looking for.” Reed grinned. “I talked to a local, Vic Walton—you know him?”
“Sure. He and Marty go way back. If I remember right, they might’ve even gone to the same high school.”
“I did the requisite interviews of beach house homeowners riding out the storm. I even spoke to the woman who runs the coffee shop near the pier.” Reed sighed and shook his head. “Me and a million other reporters.”
“But that’s what Cal wants, right?”
Reed shrugged. “Cal gets his marching orders from the big boss, but he usually lets me run with my instincts.”
“Like the pilot story?”
“Yeah.” Reed smirked. “Like that. I get the bug and….”
“And the story won’t shut up until you write it.” Justin smiled. What he’d mistaken for a ballsy attitude when they’d first met wasn’t anything of the sort. “We’re a lot alike in that way, you know.”
“We are?”
Justin nodded.
“How so?”
“Your love of your work is the same as mine. It drives you to do things other people might think are crazy stupid.” Justin had never asked his sisters what they thought of his job, but he guessed they might think he was an idiot to put his neck on the line to make a living.
“The ocean’s in your blood. It’s like someone whispering in your ear.”
“Yep. It’s a lot like that.” Justin picked up his beer and took a long drink. “Maybe there’ll come a time when I won’t be able to do it anymore.” He thought of Marty and how he still talked about his seafaring days as though they were yesterday. It wasn’t just the dementia either. Marty’d always been like that.
Reed yawned again. “Sorry I’m not better company.”
