The Charming Storm Chaser - Page 5

YouTube has made me a millionaire several times over, but in the back of my mind, I can imagine Miranda sneering at my success. Whenever I doubt myself, her words echo through my mind. You’re just trailer trash… trailer trash… trailer trash. Sometimes, my brain twists her words, and I hear her say, “You’re just a YouTuber.”

Lil sighs, seeing right through me. “Is this about the rich bitch? It’s been nearly two decades, Kane. For the love of God, stop trying to impress her. You’re rich, famous, and still have your looks—unlike her. You’ve won!”

A grin stretches across my face. I love when Lil’s catty about Miranda. But I also know she’s lying. Miranda married a wealthy businessman and is still as beautiful as ever.

“Are you calling me a rich bitch?” I tease, trying to lighten the mood and change the subject.

“Hmm,” she says thoughtfully. Leave it to Lil to take the question seriously. “You’re rich, but you’re not a bitch.”

I laugh. “Thanks, sis.”

She sighs. “I’d better go. The governor has a million stupid questions about wind turbines. Can you believe he asked if there are any studies linking wind energy to hair loss? How do these fools keep winning elections?”

My face splits into a grin. The irony isn’t lost on me that we’re both obsessed with wind. Lil’s work is far more important than mine, of course. She designs and engineers wind turbines that harness enough energy to power cities. But I have deep pockets to help with fundraising and funding, so I do my part, too.

When Lil disconnects the call, I’m pleased to discover that my mood is lighter than before. The TV show will be great. And I’ll finally be able to bury Miranda’s words to the deepest recesses of my mind, once and for all.

Chapter 4

Cami

“It’ll just be you and Kane in the lead car,” the producer says, gesturing toward a large 4×4 truck. “You’ll sit in the backseat so you can film Kane’s profile and the road through the windshield. More camera gear is strapped into the front passenger seat for easy access when you need it.”

I tug at the hem of my oversized sweatshirt. “I was told there’d be three additional members of the camera crew. Where will they be?”

He looks at me like I’m an idiot. “There’s not room for all of you in the truck, obviously. And we hardly need more than one camera on Kane at a time. The rest of the crew will follow behind in a separate vehicle. They’ll get gorgeous long shots of storm cells from a safe distance. You’ll get the up close and personal shots. I want to see carnage and debris.”

“Should I wear a helmet or something?” I ask nervously.

He quirks an eyebrow. “Did you bring one?”

“N-no.”

“Then… no,” he says.

“Is there hazard pay?”

He shakes his head. “No.”

I open my mouth to ask another question, but it dies on my lips under the heat of his withering glare.

“I was told you were fearless,” the producer says. “I heard you kept filming while being chased by raging hippos and that you kept your cool when a great white shark ate the lens right off a camera you were holding. Was that you or not?”

“Whoa,” a voice says from behind. “Did you really run from a hungry, hungry hippo? I’ve heard they’re monsters.”

I turn to see none other than Mister Charming himself. He’s even better looking in person, with the body of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger and a face to rival Austin Butler.

I drop my gaze to my feet. “I think the hippo was more angry than hungry.”

He laughs, extending a hand for me to shake. “Kane Charming.”

“Cami Gannon.”

Our palms connect and I feel a zing of electricity flow between us. No, no, no. You cannot want Kane Charming. He lowers his hand to his side, clenching and unclenching his fist. Did he feel the zing, too?

I lift my hand to twirl my hair, a nervous habit I’ve had since grade school and have never been able to break, before I remember that I’ve piled it into a bun on top of my head and crammed it beneath a ball cap. I adjust the bill of my hat just to have something to do with my hands.

For a brief moment, I regret my decision to wear the unflattering clothes. But I shove the thought aside. Self-preservation, Cami, remember…? Kane Charming is a heartbreaker, and the last thing you need is a broken heart.