aterovis_bm_reapthewhirlwind.p65 by Arlene Chance

which wire connected where.
    “Asher,” I said quietly, “I know about you and Killian, and it’s okay. I’m cool with it.”
    Relief flooded his eyes, “What about Uncle Lowell?”
    “Dad doesn’t know and he won’t find out from me,”
    I assured him. “I just found out last night. While we’re on the subject, Dad doesn’t know that Aidan is gay either, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
    “Well, you don’t have to worry about me telling him.
    It’s not like I talk to him anyway. No offense but I usually try to avoid Uncle Lowell at family reunions. I always feel guilty around him. Not for anything in particular—just guilty in general.”
    I laughed. “Yeah, he does have that effect on people.”
    Killian wandered over and peered closely at both of us.“Quit that!” Asher said testily.
    “It’s just that you guys look so much alike it’s freaky.
    The only difference is that Will’s eyes are blue.”
    “Stand up,” I ordered Asher as I stood up myself. He complied and Killian laughed.
    54

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    “Okay, so there’s also about six inches of difference.”
    “Seven,” Asher said smugly, “I grew an inch.” I stuck my tongue out at him showing that what I lacked in height I made up for in maturity.
    “I didn’t think anyone could be cuter than you, Ashke, but I think you might have some competition with Will on the scene.”
    Once again, I blushed as Asher punched Killian in the arm. Then he punched me in mine.
    “Hey! What did I do?” I yelled.
    “I dunno, but I’m sure you deserved it for some reason.”
    “The 64’s hooked up,” Aidan called and Asher darted to his side; he was quite the video game addict. I turned to Killian.
    “You just called Asher Ashke. Is that just a nickname?
    Or are you a Mercedes Lackey fan, too?”
    “You know Mercedes Lackey?”
    “Oh yeah, we had coffee just last week.”
    “You know what I meant; you’ve read her books?”
    “Yeah, she’s one of my favorite authors.”
    “Me too! I just discovered her a few months ago but I think I’ve read everything she’s written. I started calling Asher Ashke after reading the Last Herald Mage Trilogy—the ones with Vanyel?”
    “I’ve read them. In fact, I haven’t unpacked them yet, but I own a bunch of the Valdemar series.”
    “Wow that’s so cool.”
    “What’s cool?” Aidan yelled from his spot in front of the TV.
    “None of your business, Mr. Nosy!” I called back.
    “How about me? Will you tell me?” Asher piped up.
    “Yeah, I’ll tell you. Killian and I are both Mercedes 55

    JOSH ATEROVIS
    Lackey fans.”
    “You’ll tell him but not me?” Aidan pretended to pout.
    “He’s family,” I shot back.
    “Aidan’s my family,” Killian said protectively.
    “Not another Lackey fan,” Asher moaned over the friendly banter.
    “What’s wrong with Mercedes Lackey?” Aidan said defensively.
    “Not you too?”
    “You really don’t like her?” I asked.
    “She’s okay; I just didn’t get as excited about her as Killian. I like mysteries better than fantasy.”
    “Did you read many of them?” I persisted.
    “No, he only read one! And it was the middle of one of the trilogies, so he didn’t even know what was going on,” Killian inserted indignantly.
    “You didn’t give them a chance,” Aidan said. “There’s mystery, action, romance—everything you want in a good book.”
    “Jeez, what is this; a meeting of the official Mercedes Lackey Fan Club?”
    “She has one you know,” I pointed out and we all laughed.
    The playful bickering went on all night. It was as if we’d all been friends forever. We played Clue and a marathon game of Monopoly that Killian eventually won in the wee hours of the morning. Asher was looking very droopy by then and I knew I was just as tired, so I suggested we all hit the sack. Aidan and I helped Asher and Killian make up the sofa bed then we retired to our respective rooms.
    Maybe change doesn’t have to be so bad after all, I 56

    REAP THE WHIRLWIND
    thought as I undressed. Who needs Joey and Laura when you have friends like Aidan, Asher, and