Page 81 of Through the Storm

“I amnotmaking that sound,” I hiss. “That is horrifying. I don’t want to sound like that. I don’t wantyouto hear me sound like that. Aren’t there other classes with other sounds? I don’t like her methods.”

Ben doesn’t laugh. He doesn’t panic. He just looks at me like I’ve said something important.

“Does that mean,” he asks quietly, “that you want me there?”

I blink at him.

“Well.” I sniff. “Obviously. But I don’t want to scare you. Or, like, gross you out.”

A slow smile spreads across his face. “Katy,” he says, “Nothing can scare me. I swear I am literally the best person for this job.”

I let out a loud laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m serious,” he says. “I won’t get tired of holding your knees. I’m great at encouragement. I can hype you up for hours. Have youseenme at practice?” He ticks off points on his fingers. “I’m strong. I don’t faint. I’m excellent under pressure. And I am very committed to this team.”

I huff a quiet laugh, something in me easing.

“I’ll train,” he adds solemnly. “We’ll practice. We’ll be ready. We can come up with another game plan.”

I laugh through my tears, pressing my forehead into his shoulder.

The instructor starts talking about breathing again.

I squeeze Ben’s hand. “Promise me something?” I murmur.

“Anything.”

“If I do make that sound,” I whisper, “you don’t flinch.”

He smiles, warm and certain. “Not even for a second.”

And somehow, the idea of labor feels a little less terrifying.

Because I’ll have him.

BEN

Katy slams the car door a little harder than necessary and immediately presses her forehead to the cool metal.

“I really hated that,” she says.

I click my seatbelt, biting my lip. “I know.”

She turns to me, eyes wild. “The sounds. Ben. Thesounds. Why was everyone okay with that?”

I start the car, still smiling. “You mean the…”

“Do not,” she warns.

I fail immediately. “The mooing?”

She groans. “Why did it sound like aNational Geographicspecial? Why was she encouraging it? Why did she sayembrace your inner animal?”

“Honestly? Respect to everyone who’s done that.”

“I willnotbe mooing,” Katy declares firmly. “I will not be roaring. I will not be… whatever that woman did with her jaw.”

It was definitely horrifying.