Page 47 of Through the Storm

“Grandma.”

“No, I’m serious. People never stop having opinions. Ever.” She points a finger at me. “You could become a nun tomorrow and somebody would still complain about your horrid outfits. And what? You’ll just behave perfectly forever so no one ever talks about you? How fucking boring would that be?”

I choke out a laugh.

“You think anyone who matters is sitting around worried about a grown woman having sex?” she continues. “Please. Half this town was conceived during bonfire party season. Your dad included.”

I laugh harder this time, tears burning behind my eyes.

Grandma Patty’s expression gentles. “You’ve loved Ben since you were a girl,” she says softly. “And he’s loved you right back the wholetime. You just didn’t know it yet.”

I feel my cheeks heat.

“I’ve seen him bring you, Miss Proper, home soaking wet and muddy but with a sparkle in your eye I never saw in you around anyone else. You should give him the chance to prove he means it, Katherine. Not everyone is like your mother.”

My heart twists painfully at that.

Her mouth twitches knowingly. “Well, there you go.” She shrugs. “Sounds to me like you already know what to do.”

I stare down at the table. “What if I hurt him?”

Grandma Patty actually laughs. “Oh honey.” She reaches across the table and cups my cheek. “That boy walked willingly into this mess. He’s not confused. He’s in love with you.”

My breath catches.

“And Katy?” she adds, her voice turning sharp again. “Anybody who looks at you right now and decides to see something shameful instead of courage can go fuck themselves.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

katy

KISSES IN THE RAIN

Benand I spend the afternoon doing nothing and everything.

He insists on helping me cross the cobblestone street to my favorite coffee shop, even though I’ve done it alone my entire life. Then he steals half my muffin and gets me a decaf latte.

He pretends he’s not bored to death when I wander through the little local bookstore. He reads the back blurbs of the romance novels I pick out loud in a dramatic voice until I threaten bodily harm. He buys me all the books anyway.

We sit on a bench and people-watch. He tells me stories about football practice and road trips and things that feel impossibly normal.

Like this is a date between two normal people who like each other. Because we do, damn it. Wereallylike each other.

But by the time we end up back at Grandma Patty’s house, I still haven’t found the words to tell him what Logan said when he came to talk to me. And even though I’m not looking forward to this conversation, it feels wrong not to tell him. I don’t know what’s going on between us exactly, but I know that he deserves to know.

We’re at the kitchen counter, leaning close without touching, when the words finally fall out of me.

“Logan said something… the other day,” I say.

Ben’s posture shifts immediately. A little tense but listening. “Okay.”

“He said he doesn’t know if we used protection,” I blurt out. “He doesn’t remember very clearly. And I don’t remember what happened either. We were both… um… drunk.”

Silence.

Ben blinks once. Then he exhales slowly, like he’s processing instead of panicking.

“Well.” He rubs the back of his neck. “That’s the first time I’ve ever wished my condoms were expired.”