Page 53 of Small Town, Big Storm

It’s already too much.

I don’t need to get sucked back into the vortex of the fucked-up mess that was my time with the Sierra.

My family.

Then…not.

“Dude!”Rain shouts, making me jump.“I’m hungry.Let’s go already.”

I shake myself, shove my feelings away—no, I shove them down until they can’t be shoved down any longer…and then, when they threaten to escape, I shove them down even deeper.

I could punch something.

Or someone.

That helps.

Promise.

But I’m not on the ice, and fighting with Rain won’t just get me five minutes in the box.

It’ll also delay Molly’s.

I ignore the letter on my dresser—the same way I’ve been ignoring it for the last week—grab the first tee I lay my hands on, say fuck-all to changing my jeans, then meet my brother downstairs.

We walk along the driveway.

“Fucking gutters,” he mutters, glaring at the cedars and at Clover’s house.

I smile.

He punches me.“Asshole.”

I punch him back.

(See?Thatdoesmake me feel better.)

Until he punches me again.

I rub the aching spot on my shoulder.“Jesus,” I grumble.“I’m not the one who wants to keep this fucking place.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles back.“I’ve heard that all before and I don’t have the patience to argue with you right now.Bitch about it after I get one of Molly’s double chocolate chip cookies in my mouth, okay?”

“We’re having salads, remember?”I remind him as we turn up Eagle Place and pass by the Pioneer Museum.

He snorts.“There’s no way we’re going to Molly’s and only eating salads.”He smirks at me.“You can be on your fancy athlete diet if you want.But I’m getting a fucking?—”

“Wait!”

We both whip around, and my lungs seize when I see Holly rushing down the sidewalk, her smile wide.

All the rage fades—the anger and hurt andmemories—and I start to crouch down, lifting my arms…

And she runs right the fuck by me.

Fuck.

“Rain!”she exclaims as she launches herself at my brother.