Page 74 of Finding Storm

Life is strange at times.

And ain’t I glad for it?

And for whoever was looking down on me today when they put Stevie in my path right when I needed her.

Maybe it was Mom’s doing.

I’ve barely thought about what happened while I’ve been with Stevie. She seems to take the bad shit right out of my head. I can honestly say I haven’t laughed as much as I have with her in … well, ever.

She makes me laugh like no one ever has before.

She’s fucking awesome.

We got back to the B&B a few minutes ago after leaving the coffee shop. Stevie had us singing Whitesnake songs all the way home. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to listen to “Here I Go Again” without thinking of her terrible singing.

She totally crucified the song.

And here’s me, smiling at the thought.

Who would’ve ever thought the sound of terrible singing would have me grinning like an idiot?

But everything Stevie does makes me smile.

Dropping my bags on the bed, I kick off my boots and pull my jacket off, tossing it next to my shit on the bed. Taking my new toothbrush, toothpaste, and shower gel, I go into the bathroom and turn on the shower.

I parted ways with Stevie downstairs, so we could both freshen up before dinner. It’s the first time I’ve been away from her since I met her.

And, weirdly, I’m eager to get back to her.

Go figure.

I strip off my clothes and step under the spray, turning my face up to the water.

Finishing in the shower, I turn it off and wrap a towel around my waist. I brush my teeth. When I’m done, I dry off, leaving the towel in the bathroom.

I dress in the pair of jeans I bought and a white T-shirt.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I get my cell out of my jacket.

Palming it, I stare down at the black screen.

I’ve kept it off all day. I only turned it on when I had to call the garage. Turned it straight back off again.

I know there’ll be a bunch of messages and voice mails on there.

I’m just not ready to listen to them yet.

My parting words to Jake, Tom, and Denny echo in my ears.

“As far as I’m concerned, the three of you are as dead to me as Jonny is.”

It was a shitty thing to say.

I feel like a total prick for saying that. I didn’t mean it.

I was just mad as hell.

I’m still mad.