Chasing the storm

Chapter 9: Caught in the Crossfire

(Sienna's POV )

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I wasn't in the mood for this.

The second I stepped back inside the gas station, I could feel the tension in the air.

Caleb was still close beside me, his hand lingering near my arm like he was making sure I was okay.

Rowan saw.

And he wasn't happy.

His jaw was tight, his dark eyes locked onto Caleb like he was seconds away from throwing a punch.

"Seriously?" Rowan's voice was low, sharp. "You had one job, Sienna."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You just had to stay inside," he said, stepping closer, crowding me. "Was that too hard?"

I scoffed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I needed permission to breathe."

His eyes flashed. "I wouldn't have to babysit you if you stopped running straight into danger."

My blood boiled. "You are not my babysitter, Rowan."

"You're right," he said, his voice like a knife. "Because a babysitter actually gets listened to."

I wanted to strangle him.

Before I could snap back, Caleb stepped in.

"Okay, enough," he said, his tone even. "She's fine, and that's what matters."

Rowan's gaze snapped to him. "Oh, yeah? And what were you doing out there, hero? Playing knight in shining armor?"

Caleb's expression didn't change. "Just making sure she was safe."

Rowan laughed, but there was no humor in it.

"Right," he muttered. "Of course. Caleb to the rescue."

I clenched my fists. "Would you stop acting like a jealous ass for five seconds?"

Rowan's jaw ticked. "I'm not jealous."

His nostrils flared. "If you wanna throw yourself into danger, that's your problem, sweetheart. Just don't expect me to come save you next time."

Something inside me snapped.

"You never have to," I shot back. "I never asked you to."

For a second—just a second—something flashed across his face.

Then it was gone.

His smirk was back, his tone mocking. "Good. Saves me the trouble."

I should have let it go.

But I didn't.

I stepped forward, too close, too reckless. "You think you're so tough, don't you?"

His lips curled. "I know I am."

I hated him.

I hated the way he was looking at me, like I was pissing him off and fascinating him at the same time.

Like he knew exactly how to get under my skin.

Caleb sighed. "Alright, seriously, let's all cool down."

Rowan's smirk didn't waver. "Why? Afraid she can't handle me?"

Caleb's expression darkened. "I think you're the one who can't handle her."

Silence.

The air crackled.

Rowan's smirk disappeared.

"Watch it," he said, voice dangerously low.

Caleb held his ground. "Just calling it like I see it."

Tension coiled tight, and for a second, I thought Rowan was actually going to swing at him.

But instead?

He just exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"Unbelievable," he muttered, running a hand through his already-messy hair. "This is a damn joke."

I crossed my arms. "Then why are you still here?"

His eyes snapped to mine.

And for once?

He didn't have a comeback.

Instead, he turned on his heel and stalked toward the back of the gas station, pushing through the door with too much force.

The second he was gone, the tension didn't fade.

It just shifted.

Caleb sighed. "He's… a lot."

I let out a dry laugh. "That's an understatement."

Caleb hesitated, then looked down at me. "Are you okay?"

I blinked.

No one had asked me that yet.

Not Rowan. Not anyone.

And suddenly, I felt… tired.

I nodded. "Yeah. Just… tired of all this."

Caleb nodded too, like he understood.

"Get some rest," he said. "I'll keep watch."

I hesitated. "You don't have to."

"I know," he said simply. "But I will."

For some reason, that made my throat feel tight.

I nodded and stepped back.

And as I walked away, I could still feel Rowan's absence like a weight in the air.

Like I had just won a fight but lost something else entirely.

And I didn't know why that bothered me so much.

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