Chasing the storm

Chapter 28: The Battle of Stubborn Hearts

(Sienna's POV )

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The second we stepped into the motel, my body gave up on me.

The exhaustion, the pain, the sheer terror of the storm—it all slammed into me at once.

Caleb and Rowan were still half-carrying me, and the moment we were inside, I tried to pull away.

"I can stand," I muttered, struggling.

Rowan didn't let go.

Caleb did.

"Like hell you can," Rowan scoffed, his grip tightening.

Caleb gave him a sharp look. "She said she can stand."

"She also said she was fine," Rowan shot back, his eyes flickering to my leg, where blood was still trailing down my skin. "And that was a lie."

I gritted my teeth. "Rowan—"

Before I could finish, Caleb stepped in.

"Just sit down, Sienna," he said, his tone gentler. "Let me look at it."

Rowan's jaw ticked.

"I can handle it," Rowan muttered.

Caleb ignored him, already kneeling in front of me.

The tension?

Suffocating.

---

Rowan was still standing behind me, his body close, his presence heavy.

Caleb focused on my leg, his hands steady as he inspected the cut.

"It's not too deep," he muttered. "But you'll need it cleaned."

I exhaled slowly. "Just hurry."

Rowan scoffed behind me. "Oh, so now you want help?"

I shot him a glare. "You really want to fight about this right now?"

"Maybe," he muttered.

Caleb sighed. "Rowan, if you're not going to help—"

Rowan didn't move.

Didn't leave.

Didn't even back up.

I could feel him watching.

Waiting.

Like if Caleb so much as messed up, he'd be ripping the bandages out of his hands and doing it himself.

Caleb ignored him and focused on cleaning my wound.

I tried not to flinch, but damn, it stung.

Caleb noticed.

"Sorry," he said, softer this time. "Almost done."

Rowan tensed.

Like the sound of Caleb talking to me like that annoyed the hell out of him.

I wanted to roll my eyes.

---

Rowan finally moved—only to crouch beside me, on my other side.

Too close.

Like he was making damn sure Caleb knew he wasn't going anywhere.

"You're slow," Rowan muttered.

Caleb didn't even look at him. "I'm thorough."

"Yeah? Looks like you're just enjoying it."

Caleb's jaw tightened.

I sighed. Loudly.

"If you two want to fight, do it after I stop bleeding."

Caleb finished wrapping the bandage and leaned back.

"There," he muttered. "You're good."

I exhaled, my body finally relaxing. "Thanks, Caleb."

Caleb gave me a small, genuine smile. "Anytime."

Rowan?

Not pleased.

At all.

---

I expected Rowan to say something.

To snap.

To ruin the moment.

Instead?

He stood up.

His face unreadable.

His body tense.

And then—without a word—he turned and walked away.

Right out the motel door.

Into the storm.

My stomach twisted.

I hated this.

I hated how much I wanted to follow him.

But I couldn't.

Not yet.

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