𝟬𝟬𝟰 ━━ rodeo time baby
═════════ ☆•° °•☆ ═════════
♯ ❝ OF COURSE I DID. ❞
CHAPTER FOUR ✧・゚: * 🌪️🌀
▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅
WHEN THE SISTERS EXPRESSED THEIR WORRY FOR THE SMALL TOWN, THAT WAS IN THE STORMS PATH, JAVI HAD DRIVEN THEM THERE TO TRY AND HELP IF THEY COULD. This also meant the rest of the StormPAR crew joining along to actually help, well that's what most thought, and surprisingly Tyler's crew were already helping when they got there which didn't shock Charlie was much as she hoped it would.
Her heart broke into pieces seeing the destruction that the town suffered from the storm, how all their homes were now destroyed, along with all their belongings, and most likely even a few people dead. She hated how she couldn't do anything to help them beforehand to prepare, as now all she could do was help the town's people pick up what was left.
A police car was driving through the broken town the best it could, a female's voice talking to them through a speaker saying they were placing a curfew on the place, and that everyone but safety official's should head out of the hazard area of their once homes.
She was split off from Kate and Javi to help more people in need, and she was handing someone a bunch of family photos. She was thanked by the old lady whose glasses were broken, and had a few patches of blood on her face, "You're too kind, dear. Thank you."
"S'no worries, Ma'am. Just make sure to take it easy, alright?" Charlie spoke to the old lady gently, a small smile covering her sweaty face as she reached down to pat the crinkly, dirty hand covering hers over the photo frames, "If you need anything else, come find me."
She waved the elder lady off after that, whom she had given her number to incase she needed help once more, and span around to continue walking through the chaos. She didn't have her bag with her, but carried her camera around her neck like she usual did, since it went everywhere she did.
Her boots come to a slower step however, her gaze narrowing down on Marshall Riggs who always seemed to appear when things were bad, and when people had lost everything. She could feel something was off, even more so watching Javi walk away from Kate of all people to go and greet Riggs.
But like the peacekeeper she tries to be, Charlie would hold her tongue and not say anything in case she started something she couldn't finish. Nor did she want to cause another rift between her sister, and their best friend, not when they were getting to be close once more.
Her brows eyes drift away from Javi now, attention instantly caught hearing someone whistling for a dog beside her in the mess of debris, and found Tyler squatted down with Boone behind him, both trying to find the missing dog in the destruction.
She kept walking a bit faster feeling Tyler's gaze bore into the side of her head, and felt her blood boil a bit watching his crew still selling their merch to the people of the town who just lost everything. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but it also was hard to figure out why they would do that.
"Was a nice play on the left twin." A familiar accented voice called out from the side, making her come to a complete stop and turn her head to see Tyler walking towards her from his spot in the debri.
She clenched her fists tightly around her sleeve that she was holding, and squinted her eyes from the bright sun, "Mmh, well, it didn't help these people at all." She voiced out, stepping back one step behind her as Tyler was getting closer, but he stopped also hearing Scott talking to a citizen of the town with Riggs and Javi.
"Didn't know StormPAR as in the business of helping." Tyler spoke back up after the conversation faded into the distance, his temper raising by the second with how he was tapping his boot slowly on the cement below him.
Charlie made a incredulous look over her face, and snapped her head towards him fully, "Excuse me, from what I can see, they're trying to make a difference." She argued on behalf of Javi, and Kate, but not the other two whom she didn't like at all.
"That's one way of putting it." He says blunty which made her exclaim a noise of confusion, and his head turned to her also instead of forward, "Do you even know who you're chasing for? The Charlie I use to know wouldn't even set a foot near them."
Her eyes flashed with a pained expression, before they turned into a scowling one, "What? You don't know a damn thing about me anymore, Owens." She grunted out offended, taking a few steps forward huffing, "What are you even talking about--"
"How much more do these people got to lose," He was stomping toward her angry, and met her in the middle as he stared down at her with a clenched jaw, "before y'all are done making a difference? And that's the thing, Charlie, I don't know anything about you anymore because you were never here!"
Trying to ignore the ache in her heart knowing he was right, she glared right back up at him and pointed a finger over at the stand of merch, "Oh, sorry, but says the guy setting up shop, selling T-shirts and mugs after a storm's hit!" She exclaimed before pushing that finger into his chest roughly, ignoring how she felt his muscles around the touch.
Before she could pull back her hand from his chest, he was quick to reach out and grasp it into his larger one, making her stifle a gasp feeling how warm his skin was against hers. He just looked as mad as she did, probably even more, but all he did was squeeze her hand quite tightly, and smirked tightly down at the ground, as she didn't know the real reason behind the shop.
She was tempted to leave her hand in his grasp, but she yanked it back out just as roughly as he grabbed it, and cradled it to her chest giving him a scowl. Her boots moved back another step away from him, and Ben's voice calling out to Tyler broke whatever was happening between them apart.
"Tyler! You have a minute for some questions?" Ben strolled up to the pair unaware of what occured, and held his pen and notepad in his hands with a beaming smile thrown at the male, hoping to get some more information for his story.
The ex bullrider wasn't going to stick around, and shakes his head at Ben, "Yeah, I got a dog to find. Talk to Charlie." His words drifted away as he walked away, and gave her one last snarky look over his shoulder, "She seems to have all the answers apparently."
Charlie groaned to herself at his behavior, and ran a hand down her face stressed, "I'm sorry, Ben. Now's not a good time. Maybe later?" She tells him gently, but also strained sending him a smile, before turning around also and went a different way than Tyler did.
While she walked the girl was cursing herself out, and grumbled to herself about Tyler, as she held onto her camera tightly to control her emotions. She walked all the way towards where Kate was inside Javi's car, and saw her sister giving her a sad, but understanding smile once she came up beside it.
"Charlie, hey!" Another familiar voice called out behind her, Lilly running up to the girl leaning against the truck's door and she was carrying waters, plus a small box of snacks, "Here, take some food. Tyler said you haven't eating anything."
So he still notices me.... she thought to herself flustered, before adding on, "Oh, uh, I don't have any cash on me." She told the girl sheepishly, glancing to Kate sitting in the driver seat who shakes her head also to signal she had nothing, "Nor does Kate. We can't pay."
"Nah, it's free." Lilly began to explain to the girl, who's mouth parted confused hearing the statement, and Lilly motioned to the shop behind them still giving people the merch, "That's why we're always selling those T-shirts."
Charlie felt like the biggest loser in history in that moment, and all she wanted to do was run over and give Tyler a big sorrow speech, but wouldn't stoop to that level, "In that case, save it. In case you run low." She eventually said, and threw a small smile.
"Now I know why Ty likes you so much." Lilly smirked teasingly remembering the times her best friend talked about Charlie, and chuckled seeing how her cheeks were flushing shyly, "Well, at least take some water. I'd rather you two have that, then nothing."
Charlie grabbed the two bottles Lilly handed over, and thanked her with another smile, before the latter was running back over to her group, waving farewell to the sisters as she did so. When she was out of sight, Charlie turned back to the truck and bumped her head against the door groaning.
"C'mon, Bear. It's not that bad." Kate tried to reassure her sister seeing the state she was in, gaze moving away from her to notice Tyler across the lot staring softly at Charlie even from how far he was, and it made her smile knowingly, "Let's go back to the hotel, hmm?"
The blonde girl just grumbled some more to herself, taking the hand Kate reached out for her and was pulled into the passenger seat of the truck. She sunk into the seat also like she met defeat, which she had, and placed her seatbelt on before her sister began to drive them back to their hotel.
By the time they had arrived back at the place they were staying at, which happened to be near a rodeo, it was night. Charlie went off from her sister again as Kate went back to pick up Javi, and the girl had just changed into more comfortable clothes from her field one.
She was wearing her sisters compressed white singlet, with her own brown pants that set just above her bellybutton, and her hair was neatly brushed from having it up all day. She didn't take off her brown boots off yet, as she pacing around the room.
Her phone was in her hand scrolling through many articles of Marshall Riggs, someone who didn't sit well with her regardless of never really meeting him. It didn't help either when Tyler seemed to hate the group she was in, and that further more made her suspicious.
The TV was playing softly in the background about the recent storms, and the upcoming ones, something she probably should of listened to, but her attention was only focused on the screen she had in her hands.
She tapped onto the first website that popped up, and felt her stomach twist once more seeing the same smile he flashed in the photo he did when she first saw him. It seemed StormPAR bought land, but it was only those who just lost their houses to tornados which such a terrible thing to do those vulnerable.
Charlie didn't know what to think. Didn't know how to peruse this issue, when she knew Javi was involved with it too. She wanted to believe that maybe he was forced, and couldn't go against Rigg's orders, but when there's a will there was always a way. But that issue would have to wait, as someone was knocking on the hotel door.
She flinched a bit startled hearing the rasp against the door, and glanced up to it wondering who was at the door this late. She knew it wasn't Kate, as she was around Javi and would be back later, but she couldn't think of anyone else it could be. Unless it was--
Placing her phone down on the table near the bed with her camera, she grasped the door handle to gently open it, making the hinges creak from being opened many times. And when she saw who was standing there, she did not expect at all. Out of everyone, she least expected it to be Tyler.
She tried to play it cool seeing him so suddenly, and leant her side against the door, arms crossed over her chest. Even if her expression was flat and cold, inside she was freaking out like crazy not believing Tyler had come out to visit her, with a pizza let alone.
"Some of Javi's crew said you were staying out by the rodeo." His words came out in a nervous stumble, which amused her greatly and they heard the background noises of people cheering followed by horses neighing, "Thought you might be hungry."
She raised her eyebrows still amused, watching him fiddling with the pizza box he most likely bought for her, and reached out her hand to grab it gently, their hands brushing, "Did you get it with peperino--"
"Of course I did. It's still your favorite, isn't it?" He chuckled through his small grin he flashed her, now leaning against the side of the room which had her flushing seeing how effortlessly good he looked, "Why would I ever forget that?"
She hummed to herself giddly, glancing down at the small pizza box in her grasp, before back up to him, "Alright, thank you for the food. Bye now--" She slammed the door in his face next, heart racing now liking how much effect he still had over her, and mentally cursed him as she walked back over to her bed.
However before she could sit down, she paused mid way realising she just completely locked him out before he could finish talking. She groaned frustrated, kicking the edge of the bed next cursing her guilty heart and grabbed a piece of pizza as she walked back to the door.
She opened the door once more, meeting Tyler's amused face leaning on the side still, as she deadpanned at him with that piece of pizza in her mouth, "It's not funny, stop making that face." She grumbled, it being muffled from the food and swallowed another bite of pizza, "You find the dog though?"
"'Course I found the dog. Who do you take me for, Char?" He answered smoothly in his deep voice, her eyes going wide hearing him say her nickname that he made up for the first time in forever, "How you doing after all that?"
She tried not to choke on the pizza hanging out of her mouth, and swallowed the last piece before shrugging her shoulders, "M'okay, I mean, it doesn't matter." She breathed out wiping her face with her palm, "It's those people that--"
His brows furrowed worriedly hearing the tremble in her tone, and had to physically stop himself from reaching out to her by grabbing the door hinge, "Yeah, well, you've seen the worst of this place. Thought it'd be nice for you to see something good, something you've seen before with me."
She narrowed her eyes down on him interested, wondering what he was thinking and saw him now reaching his hand for her to take, "Wanna take you somewhere, Cowgirl. Just like old times, what'd say?"
Charlie already knew she'd agree even if she told herself she didn't want to, but seeing that longing and soft glint in his eyes trained on her, she knew she was done for. So with a heavy exhale and a smirk, she slipped her hand into his, their fingers now intertwining together, "Lead the way then, Cowboy."
And her agreeing to go with him ended them up to where she expected. The local stampede and round-up show, something the two of them always went to watch when they were really young. It was busy and loud like usual, something she expected since the show was always so fun.
Tyler never let go of her hand once as they walked through the crowd, and even when they found a seat in the stadium, he was still gripping her hand like she'd disappear. Her cheeks were flustered because of that, and looked at their intertwined hands giddly, now feeling him rubbing his thumb over her knuckles softly.
Her attention was drawn away by the lady down below in the arena wearing an America outfit, carrying around the countries flag riding a horse, with sparkles on top of the flag as she made laps around. Everyone cheered even more when the bull was let lose, and the bull tamers were chasing behind it, trying to capture it with their lasso's.
The commentator was talking over the speakers about what was happening, and the riders managed to wrangle the bull easily, causing the crowd to clap and cheer once more, including Charlie and Tyler which sadly broke their hand holding much to their displeasure.
"Is it still as you remember, city girl?" Tyler's drawl was close to her ear, making the girl squeal startled feeling him that near and gave him an owlishy look, as he taps the side of her thigh a bit suggestively, "Or did being away for so long ruin your memory of it?"
She instantly understood the double meaning behind his words, and cross her arms over her chest huffing, "Y'know, even if I left Sapulpa for New York, it doesn't mean I just forget everything back here." She mumbled watching the horses run around the arena, "It is still how I remember, maybe even better now."
"Look at that. So, I still do know stuff about you. Even if you deny that fact." He mused bumping his shoulder against her teasingly, as she rolled her eyes looking at the rodeo, while he stared at her with a wide grin for a few seconds, before also turning back to the view below.
The two along with the rest of the crowd began to clap for the new rider, who was sat on a bull now, the animal trying it's hardest to kick and bump the male off the saddle. But the male held on strong, and managed to make a few laps around the arena to show off.
"So tell me this." His voice once more began to talk interested, his green eyes moving away from the dark sky above to the girl he loved sat beside him, "You never told me, what was your first tornado? I mean, apart from the one when we were little."
He didn't miss the way her shoulders tensed up grately, and how her fingers dig into her pants a bit nervously for some reason, "You've asked enough questions. Tell me yours, Cowboy." She redirected the conversation easily, and he was more then happy to take over for her sake.
"I was eight, and it was after I met you." He began to tell her remembering that day clear as day, "I was driving with my aunt. Sirens are going, all of a sudden this vortex just lowers, right down in the center of the road." He motions with his hand to demonstrate it, "I was just mesmerized. Then I looked at my aunt, and she's got this look on her face. I realised in that moment I was supposed to be scared."
The corners of her mouth lifted up a bit into a smile, and she tilted her head to the side looking up at him curiously, "Were you scared?" She asked genuinely, wondering why he never told her that story before. Probably because she left him for half of his life.
He licked his bottom lip slowly while staring into her doe eyes, and slowly nodded his head in response, "Yeah. Yeah, I was." His voice dropped making his accent come out raspy, and it had her insides burning up with a weird feeling.
She snapped her head back to the rodeo now embarrassed of what she was feeling, and a snicker left her before she could stop it, "Oh, the Tornado Wrangler is scare of tornadoes." She teased, smirking at him cheekily.
He made a scoffing noise with his mouth, and rolled his eyes not impressed, "Whatever you say, Sapulpa." He retorted back, which had the girl giggling loudly showing off her dimples, something that had him mesmerized by the sound and how beautiful she looked.
One of the bullriders below walked along the edge of the arena, and spotted Tyler in the crowd next to Charlie. He lifted a finger up in the to spin it around like a tornado, and sent it flinging to Tyler, as he did it back with a smirk, pointing at the male last.
Charlie watched the interaction amazed, mouth parted and eyes wide staring between the two, before landing on Tyler, "You know him, don't you?" She asked getting close to his face, which made their knees now touch each others, "I know you liked coming here, and knew a lot of people but what was that?"
He adjusted himself in his spot, a tight lipped smile over his mouth now as this was something he never told her, "Well, I use to compete. Got my head stomped on by one too many bulls." He watched how her face dropped into a worried one, and he smiled at her softly in result, "Thought college might be better for my brain."
"Oh, jeez. Lucky you did then." She grimaced scanning over his head and face area worriedly, and grazed her fingers along his elbow which sent shivers up his spine despite how little the touch was, "But, wait. Hold on-- You're scared of tornadoes, but not of riding bulls?"
He hummed through a low chuckle, "Well, tornadoes, bulls, the same thing. Fear's the reason you do it." He glanced away from the show, and now stared straight into her brown eyes intensely, "You don't face your fears, you ride 'em."
She felt her breath hitch at how he was looking at her while he said those words, and squirmed a bit in her seat next to him. But she recollocted herself after a few seconds, and sent him a goofy grin that lit up her features, silently making him swoon over her sending a charming one back.
They went back to clapping and cheering for the riders afterwards, matching smiles over their faces watching the bulls jump over barrels with their riders skilfully, and how the horses did the same thing. It was all fun and games, till Charlie felt a sudden chill ran down her spin which always meant bad news.
Her hand instantly reached down to grasp Tyler's thick thigh, and he immediately turned to her wondering what was wrong. Her eyes were on the leaves now getting picked up in the sudden strong breeze, followed by the sound of thunder in the distance and lighting, "Uh, w-were you tracking cells out this way?"
The look he gave her at the question was all Charlie needed to know, and she gripped his thigh even more growing anxious at the environment changing around them, "Air feels heavy, this isn't good, Ty. Something's--"
He didn't even have the time to comment on her finally saying his nickname, as now the sound of alarms were going off on everyone's phones, and checked to see a storm warning. This was followed by the sirens going off in the arena, causing Charlie's heart to sink realising what was about to happen without her sister by her side.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I just received word a tornado has touched down near the area!" One of the announcers yelling over the microphone to everyone in warning, "We need to evacuate this arena right now!"
❪ ✏️ ❫ 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙳𝚂 : 4031
─►☆ AUTHOR'S NOTE :
sorry for the cliffhanger guys oml but this chap is spilt into another part due to this being so damn long. i promise the next one will be out soon though so you won't have to wait that long 🫶also omfg charlie and tyler are so fucking cute kill me now
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top