CHAPTER TWO, reunion with the tornado wrangler
(NOW)
It was a bright, sunny day. Perfect for being outside and enjoying the weather. There had been a thunderstorm the previous night which is why Libby was currently at one of the Bradley's Public Storm Shelter in town, activity bustling all around her. She was in her late twenties now, but the memory of the tornado and how her brother's words of wisdom helped her still lingered in her mind. They were like a constant reminder for her, always there. And that memory, that day, would never fade. It was a memory she would always treasure. It was a memory that made her who she was today.
Her family, the Bradleys and other emploees, were all around her, helping those in need. After the tornado hit, her parents started the public storm shelter idea. And soon enough after making a deal with the local city council, it was official. Now they had six public storm shelters all around town. Each one was just as big and had the same things in it. All the Bradleys, their employees, and the other volunteers were hard at work. The people around town loved and adored them for what they did which was give everyone a safe place to go during storms. They made sure no one was left behind. And the storm shelters were open and free to anyone and everyone.
Libby loved the feeling of helping others, giving them somewhere safe and secure to go during the storms. She'd seen the aftermath of a tornado and the damage it could do, so helping people feel safe and cared for during such a scary time was important to her. And seeing the people around town, both old and new, being given a place to feel safe and secure made her feel like she was making a difference. Like her family did so many years ago.
It was a rewarding feeling. She'd been working at the public storm shelters for about three years now. Ever since she came finished college and got her meteorology degree. She loved her job. She worked mostly as a volunteer, though her parents did pay her for it, even though she tried telling them not to. She used to work as a storm chaser, specifically tornadoes. She always wanted to learn more about the weather and was fascinated by tornadoes. She studied and did her best to understand and learn all she could about them. So she got a degree in meteorology and became a storm chaser. And can you guess who she ended up working with?
Tyler Owens. Now known as the Tornado Wrangler and was quite popular on YouTube. It was weird not working with him anymore. She and her older brother, Q, who was Tyler's best friend, had been a part of the team before Q was in charge of dealing with a storm shelter their family owned in a small town in Oklahoma. Libby didn't quit at that moment, she stayed working with Tyler and the team for a couple more years before Q had asked Libby to work with him at the storm shelter. Libby loved working with her brother, but she did miss working with Tyler. She still kept in contact with him, Q did as well, of course, they were still best friends. Though it seemed like Tyler was a little different now. Seeming to be more arrogant and cocky. She wondered if all the fame went to his head. And she hoped he was still the same Tyler she grew up with and called her 'Little Libs'.
Okay, while she hated the nickname, she still missed it. Especially when he wasn't around. But, maybe someday, they'd cross paths again. Though, that seemed unlikely. After all, he was a popular YouTuber and had many followers and was very busy. But, still, a girl can dream, right? And she was a dreamer for sure. She loved anything involving fairy tales and fantasy and romance and happily ever afters. She hoped some day she can have her happily ever after. Maybe someday, she'd find the person she was destined to be with. But for now, she was content with helping others and her family. And that was enough for her.
She was busy helping a little boy and his parents making sure they were alright and had didn't need anything else at the moment. A lot of the storm shelters were filled to capacity, but her family did their best to help anyone and everyone. It was important to them that no one was left behind. They had made it a priority to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who came to their shelters, and they did their best to meet the needs of all the people they served. The public storm shelters had become a much-needed resource for the community, and Libby was proud to be a part of something that was making such a difference in people's lives.
Volunteers and employees were helping people get the necessities, handing out water and food and blankets. Libby was amongst the group helping the people, making sure that they had what they needed. She was currently handing out blankets to a small family, a mother and her two children. "Thank you." The mother said gratefully, taking the blankets and giving them to her kids. "Really. For what you and your family do. Your storm shelters. It helps people like us who doesn't have a safe place to go during these storms."
"Of course. We're glad we can help." Libby responds, smiling at the woman and her children. The woman's kids were a little boy and a little girl, the two currently curled up against their mom on the same cot and were sleeping. Libby glanced at the children, her smile softening. "How are the kids doing?"
"They're a little shaken up, but they're okay." The mother replies, wrapping an arm around her kids. "They're tough."
"They're lucky to have a mom like you." Libby says softly. "Keep doing what you're doing, okay? And remember, we're always here to help."
The mother nods, a smile on her face. "I will, thank you."
Libby smiles at her one last time and goes to move on to the next person who needed a blanket. As she helped them out, she heard a commotion near the entrance but she didn't think anything of it. Thinking one of the other helpers would handle it. She didn't look until someone called her name, causing her to turn around and see who it was.
"Well, well, well, look who it is. Little Libs."
Her heart skips a beat, and her eyes widen. She can't believe what she's seeing. She's dreaming, right? She blinks a couple times and even pinched herself, not trusting her eyes. But no, she's not dreaming. Standing in front of her was Tyler. Tyler freaking Owens. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't seen him in a few years. They had kept in contact and occasionally talked, but it was nothing compared to being face to face with him. Plus he was famous now. He had a YouTube channel and he was a storm chaser better known as the Tornado Wrangler. She was surprised he remembered her. She had noticed he seemed to grow more cocky, arrogant and even more charming since the last time she had seen him. But it was him, the same guy who had her heart since she was younger.
"T-Tyler?" Libby asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She takes a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. Her heart is pounding in her chest and she can't seem to get her mouth to form a coherent sentence. Flashbacks of hiding out in a cave to wait a tornado to pass with him came in her mind. Him being her first kiss. Them saving a horse. All the good times she had with him.
Tyler smirked, looking her over. He noticed she changed, she was a woman now. She had grown a lot and matured a lot since the last time he saw her. And she looked good. Better than good. Beautiful and stunning were a couple words coming to mind. She still had long blonde hair, but now she had pink tips mixed with the blonde, which surprised him though still he couldn't help but admire. Her hazel eyes were as vibrant as ever, reflecting a mixture of surprise and warmth. And her lips were still as kissable as they were before. He could still remember how they felt against his. And the way her body felt pressed against his. It made him remember how much he liked her. How much he missed her. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He couldn't think about that now.
"Look at you." He drawls, taking a step towards her. "You're all grown up." His gaze fell to the charm bracelet he had given her years ago, which she still wore, and his eyes softened slightly. Part of him was surprised she kept it and still wore it, but another part of him wasn't. Libby had always been a sentimental person. The charm bracelet was a symbol of their shared past, and seeing it on her wrist now brought a rush of nostalgia and warmth to Tyler's heart. It was like a thread connecting them, a reminder of a time when things were simpler and their connection was pure. It gave him hope that perhaps their bond was not entirely lost.
After all, she was wearing it. Even if it had been years since they last saw each other, some things never changed. Some things could not be forgotten. Some feelings remained buried deep within, waiting for the right time to resurface. And maybe, just maybe, this was that time. After all, fate had brought them back together, and that had to mean something. "You're still wearin' it." He couldn't help but smile at the sight of the charm bracelet on Libby's wrist. His voice was softer now, filled with a mixture of warmth and surprise. "I can't believe you're still wearin' it after all these years."
Libby glances down at the bracelet, her fingers instinctively brushing over the charms. "Of course I am. It's special to me." The charm bracelet was silver, she wore more silver jewelry than gold, something she had told Tyler years ago. It had six charms on it, a camera, a tornado, a horse, a pair of boots, a star, and a heart. Each charm symbolized a memory or moment they shared, and it had always been a cherished reminder of their time together. She hadn't taken it off since the day he gave it to her.
It was like a piece of him was always with her, and she couldn't bear the thought of letting go. She continued to look at Tyler, her heart racing. Seeing him again brought back a flood of memories. It was like no time had passed at all, despite the years and the changes in their lives. "I… I can't believe you're actually here." She couldn't hide the awe in her voice. She had never imagined that Tyler would show up at her family's storm shelter, and she had no idea what to make of his presence. Was it coincidence or fate? She wasn't sure, but she had a feeling that something was shifting between them, something that could change everything.
"Well, believe it, darlin'." Tyler replies, his smirk growing. "You're not dreamin'." He couldn't help but notice the sparkle in her hazel eyes and the way she bit her bottom lip slightly, causing him to grin. She was still just as cute and adorable as he remembered, and it made his heart beat faster. He couldn't help but stare at her, admiring her beauty. After a moment, he cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away. He couldn't let himself get distracted by her beauty. Not now.
"W-What are you doing here?" Libby finally manages to say, her voice shaky. She had no idea what to say. She was still trying to process that he was here. That he was really here, standing in front of her. "Figured you forgot about me." She was trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered at the familiar nickname. Tyler had a range of nicknames for her, mainly using 'Little Libs', 'darlin'', and a few others. They brought back a mix of nostalgia and warmth.
Tyler looks surprised and he shakes his head. "Forget about you? Never." He assures her, his tone gentler while his face softens. "I could never forget about you, Little Libs."
Libby can't stop the smile that spreads across her face. His words mean a lot to her, and she can't help but feel happy. It had been a few years since she had seen him, but he still had the same effect on her. His voice, his touch, his smile, it all made her feel giddy and excited. "So what brings you here?" Libby questions, taking a small step closer to him. "I mean, I know you're a storm chaser." When he sent her a look, she chuckles and rolls her eyes. "Sorry, Tornado Wrangler. You have a whole YouTube channel and fans and everything. I've been watching and keeping up with you. So, what's going on? Why are you suddenly here?"
Tyler looked her over once again, a smirk forming on his face. He didn't realize how much he missed her, and seeing her now made him realize just how much he did miss her. How much he missed the way her eyes would light up when she talked about something she was passionate about. How her cheeks would turn pink whenever he teased her. How she could make him laugh without even trying. How her smile would make his heart skip a beat. How beautiful she was, inside and out. He had fallen for her a long time ago, and now he was realizing that he still had feelings for her. He screwed up when they were younger. He let her go. But now, he was determined to win her back. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.
"You come here alone? Or did you bring the whole crew?" Libby added, looking at him curiously.
"Nah, came here by myself. They went ahead and I told 'em I would meet them there. We're heading to a town not far from this one to get ready to get to this tornado we've been tracking." Tyler tells her and looks around, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You've been doing a great job. Your family, too. These public storm shelters are fantastic. Good on ya."
"Thanks. Yeah, we've been working really hard to make sure everyone is safe during storms. It's been a lot of work, but totally worth it," Libby replies, feeling a sense of pride swell within her. "My brother is around here somewhere, I'll take you to him. I'm sure you want to see him and he would wanna see you too." She said softly, beginning to lead him further into the storm shelter to where Q was. "So, you're still chasing tornadoes, huh? I saw that you even gained the name Tornado Wrangler." She said teasingly, nudging him with her elbow.
Tyler laughs and rolls his eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I gained a bit of a reputation-"
"Please. You have, like, around a million subscribers on YouTube and don't think I didn't see the little fan club you had when you arrived here." Libby interrupted him with a chuckle. When Tyler had got there, she had heard a loud commotion and noticed a small crowd surrounding someone but she couldn't see who it was until Tyler had walked over to her.
"Oh, so you've been keeping tabs on me?" Tyler teases, raising an eyebrow with a playful smirk. "I should have known you'd be one of my loyal fans."
Libby ignores the butterflies that erupt in her stomach at the smirk he sends her way and she rolls her eyes. Libby chuckles, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Guilty as charged. I've been following your adventures. It's hard not to when you make tornado chasing look so exciting. Plus, your videos are hard to miss with all the buzz they create."
Tyler grins, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "Well, I'm glad to know I still have some fans out there. Especially one as special as you."
Libby's heart skipped a beat at his words, a warm blush creeping onto her cheeks. Tyler's smile is contagious, and for a moment, the bustling storm shelter fades into the background. She focused on him, her mind racing with memories of their past adventures and the connection they shared. She had to admit, he had changed a bit. And not necessarily in a bad way. He was taller, a little bit more muscular, and his hair was a little longer and he had more scruff, not a beard. Not that she minded. She thought it was sexy, actually. No! Stop it, Libby! She scolded herself. But she couldn't help it. He was just…So hot.
"You checkin' me out, darlin'?" Tyler's sudden question caught her off guard and she almost tripped over her own feet, causing her to almost hit a nearby table. Almost. Tyler, being the gentleman that he was, steadied her with his hands on her waist and pulled her up, close to him. Too close. "Easy, Little Libs." He whispered, his breath ghosting her lips and causing a shiver to run down her spine.
Her heart pounds wildly in her chest as she feels his grip on her waist tighten ever so slightly. She looks up at him, her gaze locking with his, and she feels like the world around them has disappeared. It's just the two of them, staring into each other's eyes, and it's as if time has stopped. Her face is flushed and her palms are sweaty, but she doesn't care. All she can focus on is the feeling of his body pressed against hers and the sound of his breathing, ragged and uneven. Her mind is racing, and she knows she should step away, put some distance between them, but she can't move. Her hands were on his biceps from when he steadied her and her eyes were still locked on his.
She didn't know how long they stood there, just staring at each other, but it felt like an eternity. She was sure her face was as red as a tomato, and her heart was beating so fast, she was afraid it would burst out of her chest. His face was inches from hers, and she could feel the heat radiating off of him. She had no idea what was going on, but she didn't want it to end. At first amusement shined in his eyes, but now, his eyes were filled with an emotion she couldn't quite place. Something that made her heart flutter and face flush more. Something familiar she saw in his eyes. It was like a mix of longing, warmth, and something unspoken that pulled her closer to him. She wasn't sure what it was, but she wanted to find out. She didn't want him to let her go.
"No way, is that who I think it is?" A sudden voice broke the spell between her and Tyler and they jumped apart as if their touch burned. They both looked to the source of the voice and saw none other than her brother, Quentin.
"Q, hey." Tyler clears his throat, his face a little red as he rubs the back of his neck. Libby noticed he almost looked embarrassed which surprised her. He was always confident and didn't really show embarrassment. And was he blushing? Nope. No way. She had to have been seeing things. It was just a trick of the light. "What's up, man? Good to see you."
Quentin walks over and hugs him tightly before pulling back, clapping him on the back. "You too, Ty. Wow. It's been a while." He chuckles. "Noticed you've been doing good though. You're quite a celebrity now." He teased, making the taller man roll his eyes.
"Shut up, you're just jealous." Tyler replied, grinning.
"Oh, am I?" Quentin challenges, laughing. "Well, maybe a little. But really, I'm happy for you. You're living your dream."
Tyler nods, smiling. "Yeah, I am."
As her brother and his best friend caught up, Libby found her eyes glued to the tall, muscular tornado wrangler. His eyes lit up as he talked, and his voice was deep and smooth with a country twang to it. He had an air of confidence about him and while she can see some change in him, he was still the same Tyler that she grew up with. The one who taught her how to ride a for wheeler at her family's ranch. The one who chased storms with her and her brother. The one who held her and comforted her when she was scared of the thunder. The one who teased her and made her laugh. The one who gave her hope.
"Little Libs."
The voice snaps her out of her thoughts and she shakes her head, clearing her thoughts. "Hm?" She turns to Tyler, noticing him smirking at her, causing her to raise an eyebrow. "What is it?"
He laughs, his voice a low rumble. "I've called your name a couple times. You alright? You seem distracted." He questioned, looking at her curiously.
"Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry, just thinking about stuff. What were you saying?" She asked, trying not to make it obvious that she was staring at him.
Tyler smirks, his eyes shining with mischief. "Just sayin' I'm gonna have to leave soon. I gotta get to the tornado, you know, being a tornado wrangler and all. You should come along. You too, man." He adds, looking over at Q with a grin, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be like old times. Us chasing tornadoes together. Remember when we used to do that, Little Libs?" He glanced back at her with a fond expression, causing her to smile back at him as her cheeks flush more.
"Yeah, of course. Though I also remember you are a crazy driver." She shot back playfully, causing him to laugh and Q to snort.
"She's not wrong, dude. You still drive like a maniac with your radio blasting?" Q teased, looking at his best friend with amusement.
"That's the only way to drive. If it's not blasting then you're not really living." He said matter-of-factly, his hands on his hips. "I'm serious though. Tornado week is coming up. Come on. For old times sake. I know you guys got a storm shelter to run now, but I think you guys can handle being away from it for a week. Right?" He looked between the siblings, raising his eyebrows.
Libby was tempted to say yes, but she wasn't sure if Q would be able to leave the shelter. He had a lot of responsibility, he was in charge of it while she was the manager. He was the boss. So, she looked over at him, wondering if he was going to accept the offer or not. She hoped he would agree. She had been wanting to get back into tornado chasing for awhile, she missed it a lot. A lot more than she realized until now. Yes, she loved helping people and working at the storm shelter of course, but she also missed the adrenaline and thrill of chasing a tornado and the satisfaction of stopping one.
Q sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure, man. This storm shelter is important. People need us. And besides, I have a lot of responsibility now."
Tyler scoffs, waving a hand. "Psh. Responsibility, shmonsibility. Come on, it's a once in a lifetime chance. And it's Tornado Week! How often do you get to spend an entire week chasing tornadoes? It'll be fun, you guys can reunite with the team and we can catch up. Please. Do it for me." He said, putting his hands together in a begging gesture.
"You can't say no to him." Libby chimes in, causing him to grin victoriously. "I mean look at that face. And those puppy dog eyes. How can you resist that?" Tyler nodded in agreement, doing his puppy dog eyed look more dramatic and pleading now to get Q to agree.
"Please, can we go? Just one week!" Libby tries to convince her brother, using her own puppy dog eyes that she knew he couldn't say no to. "Don't you miss it? The rush? The adrenaline?"
Q sighs heavily, looking up at the ceiling as if looking at God for help. "tares at the two of them, sighing heavily. "Ugh. Okay, fine. Fine! We'll go." He gives in, shaking his head. "I hate it when you guys gang up on me."
"Yes!" Libby cheers and hugs her brother. "Thanks, Q. You're the best. Seriously. Thanks."
Tyler's grin widens as he watches the siblings celebrate. "Awesome! You won't regret it. It'll be just like old times — except, you know, with a few more subscribers watching us now."
Libby's excitement is palpable as she looked at Tyler, her heart racing at the thought of getting back into tornado chasing. She had missed it more than she realized. The adrenaline, the thrill, the camaraderie with the team — it was all part of who she was. And now, with Tyler and Q agreeing to go, it felt like everything was falling into place perfectly.
Quentin chuckles, shaking his head with a fond smile. "Alright, alright. But you better make sure this week is worth it. I don't want to be dragging my tired self back here." He told his friend.
"Of course. When have I ever let you down?" Tyler replied, his eyebrows raised.
"Oh, let's see…There was that time in —"
"We don't talk about that."
"Okay, okay."
Libby laughed as her brother and best friend continued to banter back and forth, a warm feeling settling over her. It had been too long since the three of them were together, chasing tornadoes and laughing like they used to. She couldn't wait for Tornado Week.