Part 44
Bright and early, Stormy was up and dressed. Trying not to wake Kevin, she tiptoed down the steps and headed for the door. She’d used the phone in the bedroom to call a cab and she was going to wait outside.
Reaching the door, she looked back to make sure Kevin wasn’t around then slipped out quietly only to run smack into Nick.
"Hey, Stormy!" laughed Nick realizing he’d scared her.
"Geez, Nick! Warn someone why don’t you?" Realizing Nick wasn’t alone, Stormy asked, "Is this Brian?"
"Yeah….hey, when did you start talking and what are you doing here at Kevin’s?"
Brian, not knowing Stormy’s past, snarked, "Most people start talking when they’re about one. Hi, Stormy, nice to meet you."
"Rok….BITE ME!" shot Nick.
Laughing, Stormy shook Brian’s hand. "Nice to finally meet you. You’ll have to forgive Nick. When I first met him, I didn’t talk. It’s kind of a long story that I’m sure you don’t want to hear on the front porch."
"We can save it for later. Where’s Kevin?"
"I’m right here," announced Kevin coming to stand behind Stormy with his hands on her shoulders. "Trying to sneak off without breakfast, young lady?"
Kevin’s tone was playful even though he was attempting to scold her. "Uh…no. Just….ah…getting the morning paper," she said as she jerked the paper out of Nick’s hands and handed it to Kevin.
"Uh huh," smirked Kevin as the cab pulled up. "Get your butt back in here so you can eat and then I’ll take you to the hospital."
"Yes sir!" answered Stormy with a salute and pranced back into the house leaving the three men shaking their heads.
"I see she’s got YOUR number, Kev," cracked Nick as he followed Stormy.
"Cracking the whip on the girlfriends now, are ya cuz?" teased Brian as he followed Nick.
Kevin shook his head. Sarcastically, he drawled, "Ha Ha! Very funny! I’m going to pay the cab."
"So, Stormy! What are you doing here at Kevin’s?" asked Nick as he draped his arm around her.
"Alex asked me to come home and get a decent dinner and some sleep in a real bed."
"How long had you been with him?" asked Brian.
"Since they took him in," whispered Stormy. She was still having a hard time not blaming herself for what happened.
"What exactly happened?" asked Brian.
Kevin returned, "I’ll tell you over breakfast. Come on, I made enough for all of us."
Taking a piece of bacon off the plate, Stormy asked, "Kevin, do you have any orange juice?"
Seeing Nick snatch the bacon from her hand, Kevin whacked him and said, "Stop stealing food from her. There’s plenty here. I’ll get you some, Stormy."
Rubbing his head, Nick frowned at Kevin and asked, "So, why are you here and not at Alex’s?"
"Forgot my keys when we rushed out of the house. Kevin was nice enough to bring me here since it was so late when we left last night."
Kevin returned and the four took their places at the table to eat. The conversation that dominated was about what had happened to Alex with Stormy answering the questions they all had. All three men did their best to reassure Stormy that it wasn’t her fault and she slowly began to accept that they were all right.
Breakfast left Stormy with a really warm feeling inside. All four of Alex’s brothers had accepted her into their circle. Granted, it had taken a little more convincing for Kevin but in the end, Stormy had gained four brothers too.
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