Page 1 of Beautiful Storm

PROLOGUE

Amelia - Age Ten

Most boys were put on this earth to be annoying, but Luke… Luke was born to make me laugh.

“Do Hulk next,” I call out, kicking my legs behind me as I lie on the grass, watching Luke try to play football acting as different comic book characters.

“Hulk? You got it.” He growls, pretending to rip off his clothes but trips over the ball as he throws himself around, falling on his ass, sending us both into fits of laughter.

“Hulk is definitely my favorite.” I grin as he stands and jogs over.

“I think I’m done,” he says with a huff as he joins me. “It’s getting dark anyway, and you know what that means.”

“I don’t want to go home.” I pout before rolling over and staring up at him.

“Why? Aren’t you hungry?” His brows furrow and I can’t help but laugh again, even though I’m sad. Typical Luke, always thinking about food.

“I am hungry. But my parents are acting weird.”

“Weird, how? Mine are always weird. Have been since I was born.” He shrugs and I immediately shake my head.

“No, not that kind of weird. They keep shushing each other when I enter the room, and Dad’s going out a lot more.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s probably nothing.” He sits down beside me, tossing the ball on the grass between us. “Sometimes adult things don’t make sense.”

“Maybe. Can you promise me something?” I sit up and spin around to face him, crossing my legs as I wait.

“Anything.” He turns my way but stays on a slight angle so his big legs don’t get in the way. “You know that.”

“When we’re adults,” I begin, ignoring him when his lips twitch. I always tell him it’s better to be a kid and now, I’m asking him to think about being an adult. “When we’re adults,” I repeat, “let’s not be weird.”

Luke bursts out laughing before his face drops and he turns serious again. “Deal. But Ace, you’re already weird.” He bites back a smirk when I reach out and shove him over.

“I am not.”

“Nah, you’re not. You’re perfect.”

Shaking my head, I stand up and brush myself off, staring down at him now lying on the grass, almost exactly like I was. “Can you promise me something else?”

“Yep.”

“No secrets.”

“That’s easy. I tell you everything.”

“Promise.”

“Okay. I promise. No secrets. Now can we go home to eat?” I giggle while he stands, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “I really need some food.”

“Yeah, okay.” I roll my eyes. “But only because you’re annoying when you’re hungry.”

Luke snorts before pinning me with a concerned expression. “Are you going to be okay? Going home? Want me to come?”

“I’ll be fine. Adults are always weird, right?”

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