Quiet Storm, Season 2, Episode 6 (Rising Storm) Read Online Free PDF Page A

shoulders slumped. “Actually, it’s not all great. Shit .” She drew a breath and sat on the edge of her bed. He took that as an invitation and stepped all the way into her room, then sat on the floor in front of her desk the way he used to when he was little. “You guys have a fight?”
    “Not that you could tell. We go out. We have fun. The chemistry is—” She cut herself off, blushing.
    Jeffry laughed. “Yeah, I get it. And it’s okay. Senior this year, remember?”
    “You’re my little brother. Sorry, that’s just the status quo.”
    He thought of Scott and immediately wondered what his sister would make of the kinds of thoughts her little brother had been having all afternoon. He’d told Scott he wasn’t going to go to the movie, but as the hours ticked by, he couldn’t help but think about going after all. Not because he thought anything would happen—although maybe part of him hoped that it would—but because he liked the guy. Hell, he didn’t even know for sure that Scott was gay, although he was pretty certain. How was he supposed to ask, anyway?
    Bottom line wasn’t that he wanted a date or anything, he just liked the guy. He wanted to hang with him. And what was wrong with that?
    “—even talked about it.”
    “What?” Jeffry said. “Sorry. I drifted.”
    She rolled her eyes in a very sisterly way. “I said that we haven’t even really talked about it. How we can make it work between us with Dad and Grams being so mean about his family? And, honestly, part of the problem is the way he thinks of his family, too. Or at least his background. I think he’s certain I wouldn’t be happy with a rancher. Like he’d be holding me back, or some BS like that. So I don’t even know if it can work.”
    “Do you want it to?”
    She clasped her hands on her lap and looked down. “More than anything in the world,” she whispered.
    “Then you need to talk to him about it. And you need to be prepared to talk to Dad and Grams, too. And to stand your ground.”
    He meant everything he said, but even as he spoke he knew that the words weren’t just for her. Someday soon he was going to have to have a talk with his family. Not about Scott in particular, but about guys. About Jeffry. About who he was. And he knew damn well that his dad and grandmother were going to lose their shit when he finally got up the nerve to do that.
    “I’ve got your back,” he said to Brit, hoping that she’d always have his, too. Knowing she would because even though she could be a pain in the butt, she’d always been there for him.
    “I know you do.” Her smile was wide. And, he thought, a little grateful.
    “Okay, stand up. Let me see the outfit again.”
    She did, and he nodded approval. “Seriously, you look hot. Good outfit to have a talk in. Or not,” he added with a devious grin.
    “Jeffry Rush!”
    “Ha!”
    She turned sideways, then wrinkled her nose. “You think it’s too tight?”
    Jeffry laughed again. “You do remember that Marcus is a guy, right?”
    “Good point.” She smoothed the dress over her hips. “Mom and I are going into San Antonio to do some shopping tomorrow. Maybe I’ll get a few more tight dresses. Tell Marcus they’re a present.”
    He grinned at his sister. “Good plan.”
    “What about you? Hanging out and playing video games tonight?”
    He lifted a shoulder. “Probably. Maybe. I don’t know.”
    Her brow creased. “What aren’t you telling me? Are you going out with Mallory and Luis?”
    “No, no.” He noted that she didn’t mention Lacey, and the little knot of sadness in his gut hardened. Already she’d fallen out of their group, and the thought left him profoundly sad. “I was thinking about driving over to Fredericksburg to see a movie. Some guys from school are going, and—”
    “You should. Go. Have fun.” She waved her hand regally. “I give you leave to go.”
    “You really are a princess, you know.”
    “Hell, yes.”
    He stood and hugged his