his bombshell—the downright cheek of the man. How dare he suggest a ménage with his younger brother Tyler?
Better to chase him out the house rather than admit being turned on by his offer.
The first droplets of rain began falling outside. Soon the sky began to darken. Lightning arced high in the forbidding atmosphere, filling the living room with white light. Dreading the worst, Madison went upstairs to the attic. Just as she’d thought, spots of water were already dripping down the light fittings, splashing onto the floorboards.
“Shit!”
* * * *
Tyler held the phone away from his ear. He could still hear Madi shouting down the line. “I’ve got water leaking through the roof, thanks to you two.”
Gabe grinned at him over the top of the newspaper he was reading. It was obvious his brother could hear Madi’s high-pitched squeal from where he was sitting.
Tyler took a deep breath. If he was quick, he could just get a word in edgewise. “Calm down, Madi, we—”
“I’m Madison, and don’t tell me to calm down.”
“We can come over right now, and sort it out.” No sooner had he said the words than he regretted them. He knew he’d get soaked. Lightning lit up the interior of their ranch house as a thunderbolt crashed loudly nearby. He heard a scream on the other end of the line. Madi sounded increasingly agitated. He figured that with the storm raging, she didn’t like being alone. No doubt that was why she’d telephoned now, instead of waiting until morning.
Her voice softened . “Not Gabe, just you, Tyler. Your brother has upset me. I don’t want to talk to him. I won’t allow that man in my house again.”
“I’ll be over there as soon as I can.” Tyler replaced the receiver and stared at his brother. “That’s torn it. I was just gonna settle down and watch TV. Now I’m gonna miss my favorite program.”
“Don’t you mean we’re gonna miss our favorite program?”
Tyler smiled. “Nope. I mean what I say.” Now he had the upper hand. “She doesn’t want you to come. Says you’re not welcome.” For a brief moment there was a hint of disappointment on Gabe’s face. For all his bravado, it was obvious Madi had made a big impression on him. He wondered if it would work to his advantage. Maybe this time he’d do better than his brother. It would make a nice change. He didn’t mind coming second, but sometimes it was nice to be the first choice. Truth be known, he thought Gabe had overstepped the mark by revealing their sexual preferences to Madi so soon.
Gabe smiled, folded the newspaper, and then placed it on the coffee table. “That’s too bad. I would have loved to help out our damsel in distress.” He sighed. “She’ll come ’round eventually.”
“If you say so, but don’t act like you’re missing out. I’m the one who’s gotta go and fix her roof in the pissing rain.”
Gabe shook his head. “Do you really think that’s why she’s invited you over? If you do, you’re even dumber than you look. I’m guessing she just wants your company.” He pointed outside. “I bet she’s just scared of being alone in this storm. You see if I’m right.”
“You may be, but Madi is never gonna forgive you.”
“Oh, she will,” he said with an assuredness that came from always being right. It was an uncanny knack his older brother just seemed to have.
On this occasion he reckoned he’d be proved wrong, and he voiced his thoughts. “Gabe, I think you should realize that Madi is way out of your league.”
“Wrong. She just needs a little coaching in the right direction.”
Tyler shook his head. “Maybe you should get some rest, Gabe. Your brain isn’t functioning right.” Quickly he grabbed the keys and made his way outside. The heavens were pouring down. He dashed over to the barn and found the heavy-duty tarpaulin, then threw it into the back of the pickup. The rain drummed loudly on the cab roof as he eased himself inside. The windshield was simply
Alaska Angelini
Cecelia Tishy
Julie E. Czerneda
John Grisham
Jerri Drennen
Lori Smith
Peter Dickinson
Eric J. Guignard (Editor)
Michael Jecks
E. J. Fechenda