Escalation Clause by Liz Crowe Page B

Brandis to yank his wrist free, roll and stand. He hit Jack hard, twice, and the sound of her brother’s nose breaking made her cry out. The men grappled, throwing punches, both of them landing a few and swinging wild, until the other guys in the house came running.
    They pulled the men apart and she stood right between them staring first at Jack. Blood streamed down his face, his eyes were furious. She pointed at him. “Stop it, God damn you. Stop it, right now. I don’t need you to protect me. Not from him.”
    Jack spat a mouthful of blood onto Brandis’ rug as answer. She stepped right into his face. “I love him. Get the fuck over it.”
    She looked at the roommate behind her brother. “Let him go.” The guy looked doubtful, but did what she said. Jack glared at them all then turned and stomped down the steps. Brandis’ friend released him and he started after Jack, but Mo held out her hand. “Give him a few minutes. Let me go first.” Brandis frowned at her. She grabbed his arms. “You have to trust me on this Brandis.” She kissed his cheek then followed her brother down the steps.
    She found him on the back porch, a bag of frozen fruit pressed to his face. He moved away when she dropped down next to him. She let him pout a few minutes, then handed him a wet towel. He glared at her, but took it and wiped his bloody face. “He is not what you need Mo, I mean it.” His voice was muffled.
    The soreness between her legs had not abated, if anything had gotten worse but she loved it. She put her hand on Jack’s shoulder. “It’s too late brother. I love him.”
    “Jesus,” he turned to her. “The guy has never sustained a relationship with a woman in his life. What makes you think this is any different? Why are you so special?”
    She started to speak but Brandis’ deep voice interrupted her. “So help me Gordon, if you keep spouting that bullshit I am gonna….”
    “What,” Jack interrupted the man who’d come out onto the back porch, cradling his sore arm. “Break my other nose? Christ.” Jack spit again, then put the bag back on his face. Mo tried hard not to laugh, but it started, and she couldn’t stop. Brandis pulled her to her feet, and chuckled with her. Finally, Jack looked up at them, both with tears streaming down their faces and smiled. “Fuck. You and my sister, Taylor? I would have never guessed. I will go on record as saying I still don’t like it.”
    Brandis held her close, kissed her cheek. She snaked her arm around his waist. “It’s okay, Jack,” she said, leaning into her man’s strong torso. “You’ll get used to it.”

Chapter Seven

     
    Brandis pushed open his parents’ front door. A strange buzzing anticipation made him antsy. He patted the dog, shook his father’s’ hand, hugged his mother and followed them into the kitchen. He was taking Maureen out two nights before he left for Colorado. His heart was broken already, but he had to man up. Had to convince her to wait for him, no matter what.
    He looked up when his father stared at him. “Huh?” He accepted the beer bottle his mother handed him. “Sorry, Dad. What did you say?”
    “I said, son, that I hope you have carefully considered the consequences of your actions this summer.”
    “Um, sure.” He purposefully kept it light as if he didn’t fully understand what the man was talking about.
    His mother yanked his earlobe, making him yelp in pain. “Boy, you are not listening to your father are you?”
    “Ow! Shit, Mom,” he hollered when she tightened her pinch hold on his flesh.
    “Brandis Martin Taylor, you will not be doing this with Maureen do you hear me?” He groaned. Who’d spilled it anyway? He pictured all the erotic moments he’d shared with Mo in the last week right in this very house, hell, in his mother’s kitchen. “Don’t you give me that shit-eating grin young man.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He shrugged, meaning it. He had nothing but respect for his parents, appreciated how