Love chasers

The Storm king

*Lena*

I can't believe Zac came to my rescue like that. What will I say if he jumps in his car and speeds off? Honestly, I wouldn’t even blame him.

“Seriously, Lena,” James says, eyeing me like he just caught me rummaging through a dumpster. “I know you might be hurt, but you didn’t need to slum it like that.”

“Slum it?” I blink at him, genuinely confused. What on earth does he mean?

He gestures toward the parking lot. “I mean, you don't have to pretend to be poor anymore. So… what’s up with your boyfriend’s… I’m not sure ‘car’ is the right word.”

I glance outside and see Zac rummaging around in the most beat-up pickup truck I’ve ever laid eyes on. It looks like elephants attacked it with baseball bats. “As you say, I have money. I don’t need to date for cash like some…”

Amber, who’s been silent until now, starts making this weird sound that makes me wonder if she’s about to short-circuit.

“Yeah, but you know… class. Your family is British aristocracy, and he is…” James continues, his tone dripping with condescension.

“He is Zac Threwlove, the Storm King,” Amber interjects, as if that explains everything.

Zac jogs back toward us, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, just as James repeats, “The Storm King?”

“You got me there,” Zac grins. “A fan?”

James makes a face like he just stepped in something unpleasant. “Uhm, no. I have no idea who or what you are.”

“I just told you, babe. He’s the Storm King,” Amber says, her tone suggesting she thinks James has lost his marbles.

“Yeah, I heard that,” James half sneers. “But do I look like someone who knows what that means?”

“It kinda explains itself,” Amber says, almost making me giggle. “He chases storms and crazy weather… not just tornadoes like most, but all kinds. He has a YouTube channel and a podcast… he’s, like… super famous.”

I glance at Zac, who gives me a small shrug, as if to say, ’What can you do?’

“Famous?” James says, looking far from impressed. “Not really what your car says.”

“What does my car say?” Zac shoots back.

James glances outside and shrugs. “Homeless guy living here.”

“Well, not completely wrong,” Zac admits with a casual shrug. “I’m kinda between homes right now.”

“Really know how to pick a winner, don’t you, Lena?” James scoffs, his tone a mix of mockery and disdain.

Amber, seemingly bored with James, cuts in, “But why are you here? Are tornadoes coming?”

“Tornadoes in Colorado in December?” James says incredulously, as if we’ve all lost our minds.

“I’m here for the storm, of course,” Zac grins, brushing off James’s skepticism. “The huge snowstorm that is.”

We all look out the window at the bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds, and James mutters, “Seems the king doesn’t know his stuff.”

Zac just smiles. “Just you wait. But if you don’t want to get stuck, I’d suggest leaving now. Move fast, and you might make it.”

“I think we’ll take our chances,” James says nonchalantly. “After all, snow is wanted at a ski resort. But see you around.”

Zac wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Yeah, let’s get to our room, darling.”

“Cabin,” I correct him.

“Huh?” He looks at me, genuinely puzzled.

“I got us a cabin, sweetie,” I explain, rolling my eyes.

“Nice!” he says, wiggling his eyebrows. “Very cozy and romantic. Can’t wait to check it out.”

“Oh, we have a cabin too,” Amber chimes in. “So we’re going the same way.”

I curse internally. Great. Now I have to show Zac my cabin unless I want to admit my little fib.

We all walk out the back of the main building toward the cabins. Zac keeps his arm around me the entire time, and I can’t help but notice how warm and solid he feels.

“This is us,” I say as we reach my cabin.

Amber points to the next one over. “How fun! We’re right next door!”

“Yeah, super fun,” I mutter, almost groaning. “I guess we’ll see you around.”

I hurry to unlock the door and step inside. Zac follows me, closing the door behind us. “Very nice,” he says, taking in the rustic charm.

I turn to him, feeling a rush of gratitude. “Thank you for saving me like that. It was really nice of you.”

“No problem,” he replies with a casual shrug. “But sorry, sweetheart, you have terrible taste in men. Your ex is a major ass-banana.”

“I’m not entirely sure what an ass-banana is, but yeah,” I mumble, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “In my defense, he wasn’t like that when we met.”

“I guess they rarely are,” he says, setting down his bag. “But I think I’ve put you in a bit of a dilemma.”

I look at him, puzzled. He seems to read the question in my eyes. “What will you say when you run into them and they ask where I disappeared to?”

I shake my head. “I’m not staying. I don’t want to risk running into them over the holiday.”

“Hate to be the bringer of bad news here.” He moves to the window, pulling the curtain aside and peering out. “I assume you were planning to drive down to the airport and fly out.”

I nod. “Yes…”

“Not gonna happen. If you make it to the airport, you’ll get stuck there in the storm,” he says, shaking his head. “If I were you, I’d prefer to be stuck here.”

“Are you sure?” I move beside him and peer out. Fat snowflakes have started falling, and the wind has picked up. The clouds are turning ominously dark. “It doesn’t look that bad.”

He chuckles softly. “Believe me, it will be, and sooner than it looks. Trust me, I kinda know what I’m talking about.”

I have no desire to be stuck at the airport or, worse, in a car during a snowstorm. Plus, from what Amber said, I have to assume Zac knows what he’s talking about. “I guess you’re right.”

“Not to brag, but I’m usually spot-on when it comes to these things,” he says with a mischievous grin.

I glance at his bag, suddenly hopeful. “I assume you have a room here that you can sneak into as soon as there’s no risk of our neighbors spotting you?”

He shakes his head. “Nope, sorry. No room.”

“Oh,” I mumble, feeling a wave of annoyance then guilt comes crashing the party. Dammit, he helped me, so I can’t just throw him out into the snowstorm, which is definitely picking up. “I guess you have to stay, then.”

“Appreciate it, darling,” he says, winking at me, and I can’t help but feel a flutter in my stomach.