[ got a job at a movie theater and start tomorrow, which will obviously mean less updates. but I'm so freaking excited bc it's been months since I've had an income ]

☁︎

IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO WORRY ABOUT ME, SCOTT.

THE WRANGLERS — sans Tyler — were perfect in Kennedy's eyes. Because they'd been doting on her from the moment they saw her in the morning. Dexter got her water to make sure she stayed hydrated. Dani cumulated a playlist on Tiktok full of solely 'Get Well Soon' videos from fans. As they waited at the truck stop, Lily helped her style her hair to cover up the bruise on her head, knowing she was self-conscious about it. And Boone dropped at least six bags of Warheads in her waiting arms, making her laugh.

He even ate some with her, and Boone was such a wimp when it came to sour candy.

As promised, Kennedy and Tyler did a livestream from the parking lot of the truck stop. They sat in the bed of the truck as Boone filmed. And Tyler had Kennedy pulled onto his lap, both arms wrapped around her lovingly, him leaning in to kiss her head or her cheek or her shoulder every few minutes as they talked about what happened.

He never kissed her lips though.

She was wearing strawberry lipgloss because if Tyler wasn't going to care about her comfort, she wasn't going to care about his.

The chat was filled with questions, mostly about Kennedy, who assured them all that she would be fine and back in the truck after a few days. For now, she was going to stay back in the caravan and away from the storms until she was recovered. All the while, they stayed cuddled up, and Tyler gave the fans the same half-assed excuse that he gave the rest of the Wranglers as to why he hadn't been worried about Kennedy right away.

And Tyler apologized profusely for driving so recklessly while Kennedy stressed the importance of wearing a seatbelt to viewers, both wanting to make sure everyone at home was safe.

Kennedy wondered how long it would be before Tyler was back to driving like he didn't give a damn about his or her or Boone's lives.

The live went on with her answering sweet questions, and Boone refrained from asking the ones blatantly accusing Tyler of not caring about her health and safety because he'd checked on his truck first.

As Tyler went on and on about being so grateful for everyone's thoughts and prayers, Kennedy's eyes caught sight of the white StormPAR truck that pulled in. Her eyes eagerly watched as Scott got out of the passenger seat, and though he had sunglasses on, she knew he was staring intently at her from across the parking lot.

"Kenny," Boone said, not grabbing her attention at first. "Kennedy?"

Tyler followed her line of sight and saw her and Scott staring at each other, so, he held her even tighter before leaning down to whisper in her ear so that no one on the live could hear.

"Focus on the camera, baby," he muttered.

God, Kennedy suddenly hated how he still called her baby when he didn't have to. She used to love the term of endearment, but now, as she stared at Scott's disapproving face, she never wanted to hear it again.

Kennedy blinked slowly before looking back at the camera, a sheepish smile on her face. "Sorry. Still a bit dazed, you know?" she laughed. "Thank god for Ty or I wouldn't have even been able to get ready today. He's been better than perfect through all this."

"Well, I'll do anything for you, baby," Tyler murmured, hooking his finger underneath her chin to have her look into his eyes instead of the camera. "I just love you so damn much. And I'm glad you're gone be okay."

Then, he leaned in to kiss her gently, her leaning into it.

And as they parted, a small, smug part of her was pleased when he moved to wipe the sparkly lipgloss stain off his lips.

☁︎

It was a long day, and Kennedy knew she should've stayed at the motel and rested. But Tyler wanted her on camera, and so she was. At the very least, she got a break from him as the storms rolled in.

Hanging with Dexter, Lily, and Dani was so nice. It reminded her of what she loved about being a Tornado Wrangler. It reminded her that they were like a second family to her — and she'd lose that family as soon as the news broke that she and Tyler were done and she was leaving to go back to California.

That was another reason she wasn't fighting Tyler so hard on this arrangement. She wanted to try and enjoy her life before it was ripped away and she was left with literally nothing.

So now, Kennedy was sitting beside the pool of the motel, it nearing two in the morning as she was mourning what she hadn't even lost yet. She was doing all this for Tyler knowing that it would never benefit her in any way. All it would do is hurt her in the long run — well, hurt her more.

But what could she do? It wouldn't be fair to tell the rest of the crew and force an ultimatum upon them. She couldn't break up with Tyler first without it reflecting badly on her and potentially affecting whatever she did with her career after leaving the Wranglers. So, she was stuck with Tyler sill sloppily kissing her and groping her in public under the guise of being in love with her still, which was all she wanted.

She just wanted Tyler to be in love with her again. She longed for it. She dreamt about it. She'd cried her eyes out while begging the universe for it.

Maybe Scott was right. She was pathetic when it came to Tyler Owens.

Kennedy was too busy self-wallowing to notice when she was joined outside. Scott stood there for a moment, just leaning against the fence of the pool area while watching Kennedy. And his heart broke over what he saw.

She looked so miserable sitting there in a shirt that he was certain belonged to Tyler, her eyes dry even though her cheeks were splotchy, a sign that she'd cried at least once in the last hour.

Finally, he headed her way, dragging his feet a bit so that she'd hear him. But she didn't even glance up as he sat across from her on the opposite lounge chair. She didn't have to look up. Who else could it possibly be?

They sat in silence for a moment before Kennedy broke it, speaking in a small, shy voice. "How was data collection today?"

"Not great. Uncle Marshall tore into Javi and I," he admitted, making her frown, not liking the thought of that. "And how was your day? Looked pretty good to me."

Kennedy cut her eyes to him, not appreciating his bitter tone. "You don't know anything, Scott."

"I know you deserve better than this," he told her. "I know that this is killing you, and it's only been a week."

"Well, it's not your job to worry about me, Scott," she mumbled.

"But I want to worry about you," he said softly. Then he eyed her forehead. "How are you feeling? Your head?"

"It's better," she admitted. "But the bruise is still tender. Not looking forward to changing out the bandage."

"I can handle that again," Scott offered. "It'd be better than you trying in a mirror."

"I'd... appreciate that," Kennedy told him. Because just because it wasn't his job to worry about her didn't mean she didn't want him to either.

"Come on," he said as he got up. When Scott offered Kennedy his hand, she stared at it for a minute before taking it, thinking his hand was so warm and comforting as he led her up to her room on the third floor.

Once inside, Scott led her to the bed before getting the medical supplies. And she didn't say anything as he took care of her. He noted that it looked a lot better than it had that morning, which was a relief given that she'd probably overdone it a little with the storm chasing. Finally, he gently smoothed down the bandage before meeting her gentle gaze, not removing his touch. Slowly, he brushed his thumb back and forth along her temple, her skin feeling like it was burning in the best way possible.

"Thank you," Kennedy whispered, unable to look away from his impossibly blue eyes. "You didn't have to."

"I did," he insisted in just as quiet a tone. "Don't you know why I did?"

"Why?" she dared to ask. And god, why did she feel scared of what he might say?

"The same reason I can't stand the sight of you with Owens," Scott admitted, a frustrated look on his face. "When he touches you. When he kisses you. When you let him do that knowing you can do better."

"Can I?" she asked, laughing humorlessly. "Who's better?"

"I am," he said firmly, sliding his hand from her forehead to cup her cheek.

Kennedy's glossy lips parted in surprise at his admission, her quickly searching his vulnerable gaze for any sign that he was joking.

"You?" she asked quietly.

"You aren't stupid, Sweetheart—" Something in her stirred at the term of endearment she'd never heard directed at her before. "—You're smarter than Owens gives you credit for. So, you have to know how much I want you."

She blinked repeatedly as she processed his words, unconsciously leaning into his touch. "Want me how?" she had to ask. "Want me like Ty wanted me? Because I get used for my body enough on camera and I don't need another—"

"God, of course, not like that," Scott said, scooting closer. "Kennedy, you are beautiful, but you're so much more than that. You're funny and so bright. You're perfect in more ways than one."

Kennedy felt like her heart was going to beat from her chest because of how nervous she felt. "I - I ain't perfect, Scott."

And that made Scott groan in frustration. So, he cupped her other cheek and pulled her closer. "Yes, you are, and you'd realize that if Ownes hadn't completely ruined you. And any guy would be lucky to have you — him not realizing just proves how stupid he really is."

"Any guy?" she questioned. "You mean you?"

"Yeah, me," he said blatantly.

And Kennedy finally noticed how close they were as he cupped her cheeks. Their knees were brushing as his nose hovered just above hers, his warm, minty breath washing over her face.

"Scott," Kennedy whispered, sounding almost in pain. "Ty was my first everything. And I don't know how to move on from that. It's not fair to you. Especially when... when I can't just end this thing with him. Not even for someone as great as you."

"And what if I wasn't asking you to end it? What if... I was just asking for a chance?" Scott questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Just one. What would you say?"

"I guess we'll have to see and find out."

Scott swallowed thickly before leaning in slowly, giving her time to pull away should she want to. But Kennedy remained impossibly still, her eyes on Scott's as he got closer. His nose skimmed hers for a moment as he dipped down.

His lips were hovering so close to hers, and she held her breath nervously.

"Let me kiss you," Scott pleaded softly, pressing his forehead into hers. "I've been dying to kiss you, Sweetheart."

"Scott," she breathed out, reaching up to cup the back of his neck. "Please."

That was all the permission he needed, and Scott leaned in the rest of the way. His lips slotted against hers perfectly as he kissed her, his kiss so much gentler than any of Tyler's.

Everything was different. The weight of his larger hands on her cheeks and the way he tasted — if Tyler ever chewed gum, it was cinnamon flavored. And the way he gently swiped his tongue against the seam of her lips to deepen it was so different from Tyler who always forced them apart or pinched her ass to make her open up.

But she gladly did so for Scott, tangling her fingers in his dark hair as his tongue explored her mouth, rolling against hers so perfectly in a way that had her gasping for breath because she didn't want it to end.

But finally, it had to lest they suffocate.

Scott and Kennedy had matching looks of awe on their faces, and she couldn't help but lean in and quickly peck his lips, earning a smile from him. Then, she watched as he ran his tongue over his lips before chuckling.

"What?" she asked shyly, eyes on his shiny lips. She'd left an obvious lipgloss stain behind, which made her cheeks burn, hoping he didn't hate it like Tyler did. Maybe she should've kept wearing lipstick instead. Besides, most guys probably didn't like gloss—

"Nothing," Scott said, grinning as he tucked some hair behind her ear. "I just like strawberries is all."