#Chapter 26 Hard Truths Revealed

Back in the woods, Nicholas watches Beryl leave, his head flooding with thoughts and emotions. When she’s out of sight and earshot, he turns his heated glare on Brian, who looks mildly back at him, prepared to read his brother’s lips, knowing neither of them care enough to learn to sign. “What the hell, Brian? What’s going on out here?” He’s vague but almost frantic, and doesn’t really know why he’s so upset. But the moment he had seen Brian and Beryl sitting together, laughing in that clearing, he had become uncontrollably furious. He storms over to the bench where Brian is sitting, and uses his height to loom over him. Brian, used to Nicholas’ domineering behavior, reclines, propping his feet on the bench where Beryl was sitting moments before. Brian sighs, knowing what is coming next. He’s seen his brother struggle with his feelings for Beryl for weeks now, and hadn’t said anything to him, yet. Maybe he should now, he thought to himself, seeing the craziness in Nichola