Tornadogenesis | Tyler Owens x OC

- S E V E N -

Dana trembled as if it there was a chill in the air, even though it was seventy-seven degrees.

With his arm around her shoulders, Tyler gently led her back to the truck. She felt stiff but her legs involuntarily stepped with him. She could hardly see past the tears welling in her eyes and the tint of the sunglasses.

Tyler settled beside her in the driver's seat. He turned to look at her as she blankly stared through the windshield. "Do you want to use my phone to call someone?"

Dana's stare didn't shift. "No." She cleared her throat. "There's no one to call."

She could feel his gaze upon her. The air was heavy for a long time before Tyler put the truck in drive.

"The motel we're staying at isn't exactly the Ritz Carlton." He broke the silence as he drove towards the freeway.

Dana looked at him now. "You don't have to get me a room. I'll figure something out."

"Dana."

Her name on his lips made her hold in a breath.

"I'm not going to leave you out here. If you want to go, fine. But I can't leave knowing that you're out trying to fend for yourself after what you've been through."

Life never allowed her any choices. She knew he was right. "Thank you." The words escaped her mouth in a tremble.

As they both looked straight ahead through the windshield, Dana saw a kind gesture in the corner of her eye. Tyler's hand was held out over the center console, inviting hers. Her eyes flickered back to the road while she slipped her hand into his. His hand squeezed hers reassuringly.

———

Tyler pulled into a gas station to top off on fuel. "The wild looks this baby gets never gets old," he laughed, tapping the steering wheel.

As he got out of the truck, Dana could see what he meant. Every head was turned to look at the Ram. She could even see people inside the gas station taking a peek through the windows. A child pulled on his mom's hand, pointing excitedly to the truck. He and his mom walked over to where Tyler leaned on the driver's door as he waited for the tank to fill.

Dana could hear the ecstatic kid even through the closed door. "Could I get your autograph?"

Tyler nodded and opened the door. He spoke in nearly a whisper to Dana, "Could you grab something for me from the glove box?"

Dana opened the compartment and struggled to catch the photographs that were falling out. Dozens of signed photographs of Tyler. Clearly he had these types of requests often. "There should be an unsigned photo on the side, and a sharpie in there somewhere."

She found them and passed them to him. He mouthed a quick "Thank you" and shut the door, turning to the child and his mother.

Tyler placed the photo on the truck's hood and personalized his signature for the boy. The kid was already practically bouncing off the walls when Tyler asked if he wanted to take a picture with the truck.

As Tyler and the boy posed for a photo, Dana ducked behind the dashboard. She looked back up again after she heard a loud "Thank you!"

As the mother and child walked away, Tyler turned back to the gas pump with a smile that rivaled the boy's. He removed the gas nozzle and closed the gas cap.

"Quite the celebrity," Dana said as he climbed back into his seat. She held up a dozen signed photos before stuffing them back into the glove box.

"YouTube channel." He turned the key in the ignition and proceeded out of the gas station. "Tornado Wranglers just hit a million subscribers."

"A million? No wonder you've got so many signed photos of yourself stuffed into your glove box." She smirked. "You guys must be good at what you do."

"It's what we love doing." Tyler peered through his window to glance at darkening skies to the west. "And you're right. We are pretty dang good at it."