#powell

No one on this team is more of a flirt than Jake Seresin, he’s been all over you since the day he laid eyes on you. It’s not that you don’t enjoy the attention but you know better than to give into him. Although your fight is starting to waver. He might be a flirt, a real player, but damn is he perfect.

He is, to say the least, an attractive sight—and that was what annoyed you the most, his perfect smile, the way he'd smile your way, making your heart skip a beat, his cocky demeanor, and the way he looked in his flight suit. 

The beach football game was in full swing, the sun was shining and the team was split into two. You wore a red bikini top and some shorts, and you stood out from the rest of the men as one of the two women in the group.

Hangman was having a really hard time focusing on the game, his eyes constantly traveling to you. The sight of you in your red bikini top, and shorts, your legs on full display. He constantly found himself getting distracted by your body, especially the way your curves looked in the clothing. He was struggling to keep his cool while playing the game but he still was playing decently, however, he kept sneaking glances at you in your lovely attire.

As you moved to block the pass, you noticed Jake was distracted, very much distracted. His eyes were practically glued to your body, it was obvious that he was struggling to focus on the game, the way your body looked in your outfit was driving him insane, he was finding it hard to resist the urge to just stop playing and just look at you instead.

“Are you distracted Hangman?” you quip with a slight smirk. 

Hangman's eyes snapped up from your body and he quickly regained his composure. "Distracted? Me? Never" he replied with a cocky smile, trying to act unaffected. His eyes still lingered on your body for a moment before he quickly looked away.

“Oh really?” you brush your hand against his hip, “You look like you’re imagining me without my top.” Hangman's breath hitched when you brushed your hand against his hip, a shiver running down his spine at your touch. And as you walk away, giving him a suggestive glance over your shoulder, he couldn't help but let out a low, quiet groan.

"God damn you" he muttered to himself as he watched you walk away, his mind replaying your words over and over, the image of you without your top on now burned in his mind. 

Hangman's eyes were fixated on your chest, watching every move as you jumped up, the way your breasts bounced and the way your body moved. He was trying so hard to focus on the game, to ignore the way you were distracting him, but the more he tried, the more his thoughts became filled with only you.

He shifted uncomfortably in his shorts, feeling them becoming tighter and more restricted as his mind filled with thoughts of you, the way you looked in your bikini top. 

As the game ended and your team won, you turned to look at Jake, only to find him looking incredibly distracted. It was obvious that he had been struggling to focus on the game in the last few minutes, his eyes had been constantly on you, the way you moved, the way you looked in your bikini.

"You okay over there, Hangman?" you ask with a knowing smirk, enjoying the effect you were having on him. Jake's eyes snapped up to meet yours, and he quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said with a cocky smile, though his voice was slightly strained. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to act nonchalant, but he couldn't help the way his eyes drifted down to your body again, taking in your appearance.

As the team sits on the beach with their beers, enjoying the sunset, you notice Jake stealing glances at you, his eyes wandering to your body every now and then. You smirk to yourself, knowing exactly what he's looking at.

And when you catch his gaze, you pull your hair back, revealing your collarbone to him, a subtle yet deliberate tease. Hangman's eyes widen slightly, his gaze immediately drawn to the exposed skin, his mouth going dry at the sight.

Jake mumbles something about going for a swim, adjusting his shorts as he walks towards the water. You catch a glimpse of the subtle movement, noticing the way he's trying to hide the aching bulge.

As he enters the water, he lets out a sigh of relief, hoping the cool water will help calm his arousal. But looking around, he catches sight of you sitting on the beach. 

You quickly slip out of your shorts, aware that Jake's gaze was fixed on you. You could feel his eyes on you, watching every move you made. The thought of him watching you made you feel a little bit daring.

As you stepped towards the water, you made sure to move slowly, giving him the full view of your body in your bikini, the evening's light emphasizing your curves and making you shimmer.

“Thought I would join you.” As you stepped into the water, a shiver ran down your spine from the coldness, immediately bringing a sense of goosebumps on your skin. But still, you continued to approach him, your eyes full of mischief.

Jake's eyes followed your every step, his gaze tracing the contour of your body, the way your bikini top moved as you adjusted it, his breaths becoming more shallow as you neared him.

“You seem really worked up there, Seresin.” you tease, stopping in front of him. 

Jake took a shuddering breath, trying to keep his cool as he replied with a smirk. "Worked up, honey? Never."

But his response was strained, his voice hoarse as he struggled to maintain his composure with you standing so close. His eyes were raking over your body once more, taking in the sight of you in your bikini.

“So then, you wouldn’t mind if I swam topless?” you raise an eyebrow, watching his reaction. Jake's eyes widened at your suggestion, a mix of surprise and desire flashing across his face. 

He tried to keep his cool but couldn't help the way his mouth went dry at the thought of you with no top on. "I... uh... I'd actually prefer if you did." he managed to say, his voice gruff and his eyes fixated on you, hungry and full of lust.

“Tsk, of course you would.” you turn your back to him, “Then why don't you do the honor and untie me.” Jake swallowed hard, his eyes following you as you turned around, showing him your back and the strap of your bikini top. He felt his heart pounding in his chest, his hands itching to touch you, to feel your skin against his.

"You really don't need to ask twice," he said, his voice low and hoarse. He took a step forward, his hands moving to the strap on your back, his fingers slightly shaking from excitement and anticipation.

He slowly untied the knot, his eyes never leaving your body, his breathing becoming more labored with each passing second. Jake's eyes were transfixed as the strings dangle at your side, his hand moving closer to your bare skin, yearning to touch you, to feel your body against his. 

But he held back, waiting, waiting to see if you would pull it from around your neck, anticipating the moment when he could finally let himself touch you. "God damn.." he breathed out, his eyes raking over your bare back, his hands twitching by his sides, holding onto the last bit of self-control he had.

“You’re holding back a lot better than I anticipated.” you tease, turning to face him. Jake's breath hitched at your touch, the feel of your finger gently pressing under his chin to make him meet your gaze sent a bolt of electricity through him. 

He tried to keep his cool, he really did, but the feeling of your hand on his skin and the sight of your bare chest in front of him was driving him insane. He swallowed hard, his eyes locked on yours, his voice hoarse as he replied "You have no idea how much I'm holding back, darlin'.."

Your hand trails down his chest, fingers tracing his muscles as you move closer. “I don't want you to hold back Jake.” his eyes darkened with desire as you stepped closer, your bodies almost touching.

He took a ragged breath as your words registered in his mind, "You... you don't?" he managed to breathe out, his voice low and gruff, his body tensing under your touch. You shake your head, a small smirk still painted on your lips. You tuck your bikini top in the waistband of your bottoms, making sure not to lose them. 

“I’ve been teasing you for a reason. Don’t you know how impractical it is to play football in a skimpy bikini?” you brush past him, treading further into the water, beckoning for him to come closer. 

"You have been a tease.. a very good one," he said, his voice low and hoarse with lust. He followed you into the water, his steps becoming more eager as you beckoned him closer, his body aching to touch you.

You stop moving once the water covers your chest, turning to face him once again. “And you’ve been very good at keeping your hands to yourself.” 

Jake couldn't take his eyes off you, watching as the water covered your chest, making your skin glisten in the soft lighting. Your words snapped him out of his trance, his hands itching to touch you, to feel your skin under his palms.

He took a step closer, his hands reaching out to touch you, gently tracing your collarbone with his fingers, the contact sending a shiver down his spine. "I've been trying real hard, but you're making it damn near impossible" he whispered, his voice rough with desire.

You shiver at his touch, hands moving to his hips as you grip him softly. “Then stop resisting your urges, Jake.” 

Jake's breath hitched as your hands move to his hips, gripping him softly, the contact sending a bolt of electricity through him. Your words echoed in his mind, the small permission giving him the last push he needed.

"You really want me to stop holding back, darling?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse, his eyes darkened with lust as he looked down at you, his hands beginning to move, tracing the curves of your body.

“I want you to fuck me.” your fingers dig into his skin as you kiss his chest. “Right here, in the water.” you gaze up at him, eyes full of desire. Jake's breath caught in his throat as your words hit him, a sharp intake of air as the desire in your eyes and your kiss on his chest made his body tense with need.

"You... you're killing me, woman.." he breathed out, his hands gripping your hips, pulling your body closer to him. "Right here, huh? In the water?" he asked, his voice rough with lust as he looked down at you.

“Mhm..” you wrap your arms around his neck, your hardened nipples pressing into his warm chest. “Right here, out in the open.” Jake groaned as your arms wrapped around his neck, your body pressed firmly against his, your nipples hardening against his chest. The feeling sent a shiver of desire through him, his control slipping further and further.

He grabbed your hips, holding you tightly against him, his voice low and gruff as he replied, "You're wicked, darlin'..." he captured your lips in a deep, hungry kiss, his body responding to your presence, his need for you growing.

Jake's hands grasped your thighs firmly, gently guiding them to wrap around his waist as the water reached your hips. His strong arms supported your weight effortlessly as he kissed you, his tongue delving into your mouth with a passion that mirrored the heat building in your core. 

His fingers tangled in your hair, gripping the strands as he deepened the kiss, his desire for you unmistakable. The taste of saltwater mingled with the sweetness of your lips, adding a wild, natural flavor to the intensity of the moment. Your legs tightened around him, your body instinctively drawing closer, craving the connection as the cool water enveloped you both. 

The sensation of his bare chest against your skin, the feel of his cock pressing against you, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore were the only things that existed in your world as the kiss grew more urgent, more demanding.

As the kiss grew more heated, Jake's hands slid down to your ass, cupping it firmly as he began to move you both further into the water, the gentle waves now reaching your waist. He knew everyone was around, but the lust in your eyes and the feel of your body against his was too much to resist. 

The water swirled around you, obscuring the lower portions of your bodies as he began to grind up into you, his hardened length pressing against the fabric of your bikini bottoms. You gasped into his mouth as the sensation shot through you, your core already soaked and eager for more. 

The coolness of the ocean water didn't dampen the fire between you; if anything, it made the heat of your bodies stand out even more, a stark contrast to the surrounding elements. The way he held you, the way his body moved against yours, it was like he was claiming you right here and now, and you couldn't get enough of it. 

Your nails dug into his back, urging him closer, the friction between you growing more intense with each passing second. The world around you melted away as your focus narrowed to the two of you, the passion in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.

Jake broke the kiss for a moment, his breaths heavy and eyes filled with a primal hunger. He slid his hands down to the waistband of his swim trunks and with a quick motion, slipped them down, his erection springing free and poking into your clothed pussy. He groaned at the sensation, the fabric of your bikini bottom the only barrier between you two. 

His hand slid between your thighs and with a gentle yet firm tug, he slid the fabric aside, exposing your bare pussy to the cool ocean water and his eager length. He leaned back in, capturing your mouth in another fiery kiss as he positioned himself, the tip of his erection nudging at your entrance. 

You moaned into his mouth, the anticipation building, your legs tightening around his waist as you silently begged for him to fill you. Jake's hands gripped your ass tightly, his fingers digging into your flesh as he pushed himself closer, the water rushing in to fill the space between your bodies. 

The pressure was unbearable, the need for him to be inside you growing with each pulse of your heart. And with one final, desperate kiss, he thrust into you, the feel of your warmness enveloping him making him groan with pleasure.

With a groan of pure pleasure, Jake began to slowly guide your hips on him, his powerful thighs flexing as he thrust up to meet your movements. Each stroke was measured, deliberate, as he filled you completely, the friction of your bodies moving together in the cool water sending waves of heat through your core. 

His kisses trailed down from your mouth to your neck, along your collarbone, and to the tops of your breasts, leaving a trail of wetness and desire in their wake. His teeth nipped at your sensitive skin, eliciting gasps and soft moans that only served to spur him on. His hands roamed over your bare back, tracing the lines of your spine as he felt your muscles tighten and release with each movement. 

The sound of your moans and the feel of your tight pussy gripping him was driving him wild. He whispered sweet nothings in your ear, telling you how much he wanted you, how much he needed this, as his hips met yours in a steady, passionate rhythm. The water around you grew warmer, churned by your vigorous movements and the heat of your passion. 

Each thrust brought you closer to the edge, your body responding to his touch as if it had been made for this moment. His eyes locked on yours, watching the ecstasy build within you, feeling the tension coil tighter with every gasp for breath. His strokes grew more urgent, his kisses more demanding, as he claimed every inch of you, leaving no part of your body untouched by his desire.

Jake's body tensed as his own release grew imminent, his hips bucking up into yours with a desperation that mirrored the need in your eyes. He could feel your warm breath on his shoulder as you buried your face into his neck, the soft moans escaping your lips music to his ears. Each stroke grew more demanding, his cock sliding in and out of your tight pussy with a slickness that only added to the urgency of the moment. 

The water around you swirled with your movements, the waves lapping at your bodies as the intensity grew. His fingers dug into your ass, holding you in place as he drove into you harder, faster, his own breaths coming in ragged gasps. He knew you were close, could feel the tremors in your legs and the way your nails dug into his skin. His movements grew erratic, his need for release overpowering his control. 

The sound of your moans grew louder, yet not loud enough to reach the shore, your body tightening around him as you reached the peak of pleasure. With one final, deep thrust, Jake let go, his body shuddering as he filled you with his warmth, the feeling of your orgasm milking him dry. 

You clung to him, your breaths mingling as the waves of pleasure washed over both of you, leaving you both gasping for air and weak in the knees. The world around you ceased to exist as you both rode the waves of your climax, lost in the moment of pure, unbridled passion.

His face was buried in your hair, his breath hot on your neck as his chest heaved with exertion. He was silent for a moment, the only sounds the gentle lapping of the waves and the distant chatter of the others on the beach.

Finally, he pulled back slightly to look into your eyes, his gaze roaming over your face as if he was seeing you for the first time. You cup his cheeks, thumbs brushing his cheekbones. 

He watched as your legs unwrapped from his waist, a pang of emptiness filling him as he felt you move away. Jake wrapped his arms around you, holding you close as his hands roamed over your body, tracing the lines and curves as if to memorize every inch of you. 

You press a soft kiss to his lips, one much less intense than your last few. Jake responded to the softer kiss with equal tenderness, his lips molding gently against yours. The intensity of the moment had subsided, replaced by a quieter, more intimate connection. 

He savored the feel of your mouth on his, the taste of your lips, the way your bodies fit seamlessly together. His hands held you close, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on your back as he deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entry to deepen the connection further.

“Jake,” you murmur his name while pulling back, one hand going to retrieve your bikini top. “Can you tie this back on?” You hand him the small piece of fabric. 

Jake's eyes flutter open as you murmur his name, the sound of your voice sending a shiver down his spine. He watches as you hand him your bikini top, his fingers brushing against yours briefly before he takes it.

"Of course, darlin'" he replies, his voice still hoarse from the previous moments.

He stands in the water, holding the bikini top in his hands, his gaze lingering on your bare chest for a moment longer before he turns his attention to the task at hand. The gentleness of his touch sends a shiver down your back as you lean into his body. 

Jake's fingers move deftly as he ties the bikini top on your back, his hands brushing against your skin as he works. He can feel your body shiver under his touch, the reaction making his heart thump a little faster.

As he finishes tying the final knot, he lets his hands drift to your waist, holding you against him. His chin rests on your shoulder, his lips brushing against your ear as he speaks. "Done, darlin'"

“Mm, thank you.” You pat his chest as you pull away from him, closing your eyes before you plunge into the cold saltwater. 

As soon as you ducked into the cold water, Jake's hand shot out and grabbed your wrist, pulling you back up to him. He pulled you tight against his chest, relishing the feel of your body pressed against his.

"Now, now, darlin'," he drawled, his voice dripping with charm. "We're not done just yet."

* * * * *

I didn't hear the rest of their conversation. I decided to work at a picnic table outside. I lost track of time as I continued putting our statistics into my formula that Tyler shut down yesterday.

"You ever gonna eat something?"

I looked over my shoulder to see Tyler walking over to me, holding a plate with a sandwich on it.

"Didn't think you cared," I scoffed, turning back around.

"Boone made me bring this out to you," he said, clearing his throat as he put the plate on top of my files.

"Tell him thank you," I said, instantly moving it off my data. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Tyler shove his hands into his back pockets. If I didn't know him, I'd say he was nervous. But I do know him, so I know he wasn't nervous. Not around me.

He started to leave but stopped. "You really should eat something, Y/N."

By the time I built the courage to look over my shoulder, he was gone. I spent the next few hours inputting numbers a little slower than before my weird exchange with Tyler. Boone had to physically pull me away from the numbers. Literally. He picked me up and dragged me to the truck.

And that's how I ended up at a bar with the Tornado Wranglers. I slowly ate pretzels as they played some drinking game I didn't recognize.

"Y/N!" Boone yelled. "Come play with us."

"No thanks," I chuckled.

"What?" Tyler taunted. "You think you're better than us?"

"No," I said slowly. "I'm just not a big drinker. I'll have a couple of beers but nothing stronger than that."

I ignored my heart diving into my stomach when he scoffed. He grabbed another shot and threw his head back. I cleared my throat and looked away.

A little while later, I was testing the app I created this morning on my phone when I was interrupted. I gasped when Tyler roughly sat down on the barstool next to me.

"You know something, Y/N?" Tyler slurred. "If you were my wife, I'd put poison in your coffee."

I leaned in and whispered, "If you were my husband, I'd drink it."

I raised my beer bottle to my lips, but froze when I saw the smallest change in Tyler. It almost looked like the expression in his eyes shifted. I opened my mouth to say something, but he got off the barstool and tried to walk away without stumbling.

I didn't stay after that weird exchange.

But I did spend most of the night overthinking that weird exchange. When I walked into the barn the next day, the state of the team made me laugh.

"Damn," I laughed as I walked past everyone and toward my station. "You guys really can't handle your alcohol."

"Why are you so loud?" Boone asked with his head still resting on his laptop.

"I'm speaking at a normal interval," I smirked.

"Soooo loud," he mumbled.

"How do you look so good after a night of drinking?" Tyler groaned as he walked in.

I cleared my throat when I realized that his question almost sounded like a compliment.

"I didn't drink as much as you guys," I said, unable to stop myself from eyeing him. I crossed my arms over my chest and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he snapped.

"Tyler," Boone elongated. "Play nice."

"That's not possible for the Tornado Wrangler," I scoffed. I grabbed the recent storm statistics from Boone and went over to my desk.

Every once in a while, I'd look up from my desk to see Tyler staring at me. Whenever I caught him, he instantly looked away. About an hour later, the rest of the team went to check on the trucks and the equipment. I looked up, the feeling in my stomach changing when I realized that Tyler and I were alone.

I ignored that feeling and walked over to his desk. I leaned slightly against his desk and crossed my arms over my chest. "Do you want to talk about last night, or should I?" I asked, not looking at him.

"What about last night?" He asked, refusing to answer my question. Or look at me.

"That weird exchange we had," I said slowly. When he finally looked up at me, I clarified, "The thing where you said something about putting poison in my coffee and me saying I'd drink it?"

"It was a joke," he said, quickly standing up. My heart fell into my stomach as he walked away.

"There it is," I sighed. "Tyler Owens will never forgive me for not being Kate Carter."

Little did I know that Tyler was right outside when I said that.

* * * * *

Lily and I were handing out food as the rest of the team handed out water. Every once in a while, I'd catch Tyler watching me. I brushed it off and continued helping Lily.

The mood shifted when the tornado sirens went off. Instantly, the team and I started ushering people to safety. I had just gotten a family into the pharmacy's storm cellar when I noticed Lily. She was securing our equipment and didn't see the piece of debris heading straight toward her.

"Lily!" I yelled as I ran over to her. I got to her just in time. Without thinking, I pushed her out of the way. The second she was out of harm's way, the debris hit me and knocked me down. Due to the force, I rolled a few feet.

"Y/N!" Lily yelled. I was in and out of consciousness, so I'm not entirely sure that what happened next actually happened.

"Y/N!" I think I heard Tyler yell.

I tried to sit up, but my arm gave out. As I collapsed to the ground, my entire body ached. My head was hurting too badly for me to try and figure out my injuries.

The world was spinning as I heard Tyler yell again. "Don't move, Y/N!"

In the blink of an eye, Tyler was at my side. He knelt down in front of me, and I felt him gently grab my shoulders. I sucked in a pained breath as he tried to gently help me sit up.

"I'm sorry," he whispered once I was sitting up. He looked around before mumbling, "I need to get you out of here."

I looked up at him and saw a look on his face that I've never seen on him when he was looking at me: worry.

"What happened?!" Boone yelled as he ran over to us.

"She pushed me out of the way," Lily said.

Tyler tried to object when I pulled out of his arms. Boone and Lily instantly stepped forward and helped me stand up. The spinning got worse, making my legs collapse. Tyler instantly took a step forward and caught me.

"We need to get her to the hospital," he said before easily picking me up bridal style. I don't remember anything past Tyler putting me in the front seat of his truck and reaching across, grabbing my hand as he drove away.

When I woke up again, I was in a hospital room. My head continued to spin as the doctor walked me through my injuries. The debris broke several of my ribs, dislocated my shoulder, cut me in several places over my torso, and gave me a concussion. As the doctor left my room, I leaned my head against the pillow. I lifted it again when someone softly knocked on the door.

"Come in," I said weakly.

"Sorry, Y/N," my nurse smiled. "But you have a visitor. Is now a good time?"

I hid my pain as I nodded and slightly sat up a little more. When the door opened, I wasn't expecting my visitor to be Tyler Owens.

"Hey," he smiled weakly.

"Hi," I said softly. "What. . . What are you doing here?"

"I came to see how you were feeling," he said, the look in his eyes dropping.

"This wasn't your fault," I said before I could stop myself. "The debris was heading toward Lily. I didn't even think before I pushed her out of the way. I wasn't fast enough to get myself out of the way. . ."

I shrugged, but that made my entire torso ache. When I gasped in pain, Tyler instantly took a step closer to me.

"What do you need?" He asked softly.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, slowly catching my breath.

"Doing what?" He tried to laugh off.

"Why are you suddenly worried about me?"

"What do you. . ." He stuttered.

"Come on, Tyler," I sighed, leaning my head against the pillow. "I'm too tired to pretend like I don't know you hate me."

"I don't hate you," he said, looking away from me. I looked at him and waited for him to look back at me. When he did, there was an unreadable expression in his eyes.

"Tyler. . ." I stuttered.

"I'm sorry," he cut me off. "I know I've been an ass to you lately."

"Lately?" I couldn't help but scoff. I cleared my throat and added, "Sorry."

"It's okay," he sighed, sitting on the chair by my bed. "You're not wrong. I've been an ass to you since the day we met."

"Can I ask you why?"

Tyler looked at me, and it felt like we were both holding our breath, waiting for something.

"It's not anything you did," he said, slightly lowering his voice. "After Kate left. . ."

"What?" I asked when he didn't finish. Just then, I realized that I needed him to continue.

"After Kate left, I shut myself off to meeting anyone else," he explained, not looking away from me. "Especially, someone as badass as you."

"I never meant to replace her," I said, my voice softer than I meant it to be.

"I'm glad you did," he said with a soft smile. My breath got caught in my throat when he reached over and grabbed my hand. "I never should have treated you like that," he whispered, not looking up from our hands. "I am so sorry, Y/N. I'm so sorry it took you getting hurt for me to snap out of the angry, grumpy version of myself. But I promise never to go back to that version. I promise to have your back, to keep you safe, to treat you the way I should've been treating you."

"And how should you have been treating me?" I whispered. He answered me by gently cupping my face in his hands and pressing his lips to mine. Confusion flooded me as I slowly kissed him back. It didn't take me long to realize that this was a horrible idea.

"We shouldn't do this," I whispered, breaking the kiss.

"What do you mean?" He asked, his eyes slightly sinking.

"Be honest, Tyler," I sighed, "this would never work between us."

"Says you?" He slowly smirked.

"This wouldn't work," I shook my head. He stopped me by grabbing my face again and kissing me. I knew we shouldn't, but I couldn't stop myself. Tyler slowly broke the kiss, keeping his forehead pressed to mine.

"Who says we won't work?" He asked again.

"Our relationship could be poisonous," I stuttered. I mumbled, "It started out that way."

The fluorescent glow of the studio lights hummed, a stark contrast to the thrilling chaos of the Twisters set Glen and I had visited just weeks ago. I sat on my usual stool, just out of frame, the camera’s red ‘record’ light a steady, reassuring pulse next to my ear. Today’s interview was with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen’s co-star, and the air was light, almost buzzing with the energy of a successful movie run. Twisters had blown up, not just at the box office, but across every social media platform imaginable. Everyone was talking about it.

Glen, perched comfortably on a plush armchair, his usual Texan charm turned up to eleven, grinned at Daisy. She sat opposite him, her posture elegant, a thoughtful smile playing on her lips. From my vantage point, they looked… good together. Professionally good, of course. They had an easy camaraderie, a shared experience etched into their expressions that only comes from months of intense work.

“Daisy, welcome! Thanks for joining us,” Glen began, his voice warm and inviting. “So, Twisters has been absolutely insane. The fan reaction, the box office – were you prepared for this kind of whirlwind?”

Daisy chuckled, a soft, melodic sound. “Oh, Glen, no one could truly prepare for it, could they? It’s been incredible, really. Getting to bring such an epic story to life, and with such a fantastic team… it’s been a dream.” She glanced at him, a genuine appreciation in her eyes. “And working with you was certainly an adventure.”

Glen’s smile widened, a flash of genuine delight. “The adventure was all mine, my friend. Seriously, though, what was the most surprising thing about filming in those conditions? The practical effects for the tornadoes were just mind-blowing.”

“Definitely the sheer scale of everything,” Daisy responded, her brow furrowing slightly in thought, “and the dedication of everyone involved. You know, I’ve always been drawn to stories that connect us to the raw power of nature, and this film really hammered that home. It’s humbling, isn’t it?”

Glen agreed, nodding. “It makes you think about how small we are. And speaking of raw power, your performance, Daisy, was incredible.”

Glen had his energetic explanations and self-deprecating jokes that made her comfortable. Daisy, with her thoughtful responses and quiet intensity, brought a different kind of warmth. Every now and then, Glen would lean forward, his eyes alight with passion for the project, and Daisy would meet his gaze, a respectful understanding passing between them.

I knew Glen. I knew his public persona was naturally magnetic, designed to make everyone feel included, to make them laugh. He was a “living stress antidote,” as one magazine put it, and it was true. Off-camera, that same vibrant energy often focused on me, on our life together. But watching him now, through the lens of a camera I was operating, it felt… different. Or maybe it was just my perspective shifting.

The interview wrapped up, handshakes exchanged, and Glen immediately turned to me, his smile softening. “Alright, Y/n. How’d we do?”

“Perfect, Glen. You two were great,” I said, giving him a thumbs-up, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. My stomach, however, was starting to churn.

Glen and I had left the studio afterwards and grabbed some dinner from a restaurant close to his apartment. The entire time I was able to not show on my face how much that interview today kinda threw me for a loop. And thankfully he didn't notice until we got back home that is.

Later that evening, the internet was a wildfire. I’d seen it coming, a slow burn during the interview, and now a raging inferno. My phone buzzed relentlessly with notifications, not just from my own social media, but from the various fan accounts I followed, the entertainment news sites, the gossip pages.

“Glen and Daisy in ‘Twisters’ interview: Their chemistry is undeniable!”

“New IT couple alert? Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones set the internet ablaze.”

“The way he looks at her… it’s giving sparks!”

“Forget the tornadoes, the real storm is the love triangle. #GlenAndDaisy”

I scrolled, my thumb numb, past endless GIFs of them laughing, stills of their shared glances, edited videos set to romantic music. Comments piled up:

“They need to just get married already.”

“This is the real romance. Sorry to his rumored girlfriend, but…”

“He’s never looked this happy with anyone else.”

“Daisy’s just so sweet and grounded, perfect for Glen’s wild energy.”

My breath hitched. Rumored girlfriend. That was me. Y/n. The one who watched him climb trees on set just to get a better view, the one who cooked with him in our kitchen while Brisket snored at our feet, the one he called every night to recap his day. I felt a cold knot tighten in my chest.

Daisy was kind, thoughtful and had that quiet beauty about her. She was everything the internet was describing as ‘perfect’ for Glen. And me? I was just… me.

Suddenly, my own confidence felt like a flimsy paper kite caught in the wind. I knew Glen loved me. I believed it with every fiber of my being. But seeing it twisted and compared by thousands of strangers, it chipped away at my certainty. And I have never been insecure of myself in my life, my parents raised me to love every part of myself and not care about what others think.

That didn’t change when I started dating Glen - until tonight while I was laying on the couch scrolling through my phone with a grim expression. Brisket, our scruffy Terrier/Poodle mix, was curled up on the rug, oblivious. Glen’s face was still alight from the day, that infectious optimism radiating off him. He’d just finished a call with his agent.

“Hey, stranger,” he said, slinging an arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer to his side when he sat on the couch. “You’ve been quiet since we got back. Everything alright? That interview was a blast, right? Daisy’s a pro.”

He tried to give me a playful nudge, but I flinched, pulling my phone closer. “Uh - Yeah. I’m just tired.”

He sat back, his brow furrowing slightly. His usual easy smile faded, replaced by that keen observant look he reserved for me when he sensed something was truly off. “Y/n? What’s going on? You’re acting… different.”

I sighed, a long shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “It’s… nothing, Glen - Glen, no!” I tried to dismiss it, but the lump in my throat was too big.

He gently pried my phone from my hand, his eyes quickly scanning the screen. He saw the headlines, the comments. His jaw tightened, and he let out a soft groan. “Ah, here we go.” He put the phone down on the coffee table, then turned fully towards me, taking both my hands in his.

“Glen, it’s really nothing. I swear.”

“Talk to me,” he urged, his voice soft but firm. “What are you thinking? What are you feeling?”

“It’s stupid, really,” I mumbled, with some tears welling in my eyes. “It’s just… the comments. Everyone’s saying you and Daisy… that you’d be perfect together. That you have this ‘undeniable chemistry,’ that you’ve never looked happier. Am I… not enough, Glen? I know it’s just acting, and I know your public persona is amazing, but… is there a part of you that wishes it was real?”

The words tumbled out, raw and vulnerable, expressing the insecurities I’d been battling all evening. I braced myself for… I don’t know what. A laugh? A dismissive wave of the hand.

Instead, Glen pulled me into a tight hug, his arms strong around me. He held me for a long moment, letting me breathe into his familiar scent – a mix of his cologne and something uniquely Glen. Then he pulled back slightly, holding my face in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. His eyes, usually dancing with amusement or ambition, were serious, full of a fierce intensity that was solely for me.

“Y/n, Look at me.”

“Glen-“

“You’re telling me that a bunch of internet strangers, who spend their lives shipping actors because they like a movie, somehow know more about my heart than I do?” He shook his head, a small, disbelieving laugh escaping him. “That they know more about us than we do?”

“I don’t know. I mean you and Daisy seem to have good chemistry on and off screen so-“

“Listen closely, because this is the truth. Why would I care about rumors when I know the truth? The truth, Y/n, is that Daisy is an incredible talent. She’s kind, she’s thoughtful, she’s dedicated. And we had amazing professional chemistry, because that’s what actors do. We create connections on screen to tell a story. But that’s where it ends.” He leaned in, his forehead resting against mine. Until he eventually pulled back just enough to look at me again. “The truth is you’re the one who understands my ridiculous need for Texas football. You’re the one who laughs at my bad cooking experiments and still pretends they’re edible. You’re the one who knows which exact spot Brisket likes to be scratched to get that little leg twitch. You’re the one I come home to. Not my co-star.”

“I’m sorry for getting so emotional about this.” Raising one of my hands over my eyes I wiped away the tears that had fallen down my face.

His hands moved from my face to cup the back of my neck, drawing me closer. “You didn’t have to impress anyone to earn your place in my life, Y/n. You are the calm in my storm, the home I always want to come back to after all the whirlwind. My life with you? That’s not a performance. That’s my reality.”

“You, Y/n,” he whispered, his lips brushing mine, “are the one for me and I love you.”