A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION

Chapter 14: "What God Has Joined Together" (Revised)

Wiley twisted around and propped his chin on the back of the seat. "So, what'd you do at Nichols' house?"

The smug look on the kid's face annoyed Josh and made him uneasy. He shifted on the backseat. "Just worked on the project," he offered quietly.

"In his bedroom?"

Josh stared at him. He liked Wiley even less now than when he first met him yesterday morning.

"It was his idea, wasn't it? You and him alone in his bedroom." He grinned darkly. "Did he try to get you in his bed?"

His face burning, Josh opened his mouth to tell him to shut up—when Dan smacked him. Wiley recoiled and glared at his older brother.

"Shut up," Dan ordered. "It's bad enough he has to spend all week hanging out with the faggot, he don't need you making it worse with your stupid remarks."

"I was just joking." Wiley scowled at the older boy. "No one has a sense of humor." He faced forward and sank into his seat.

"No," Dan snapped. "You're just not funny. So, knock your crap off."

Josh didn't particularly like Dan, either, but at this moment he was grateful for the guy's interference. Josh didn't feel like listening to Wiley's snide remarks all the way home. He sagged against the seat and stared out the side window. His eyes drifted close and without intending to, replayed every second he had spent with Brandon since school let out. He thought about Brandon and his dad back at their house; were they talking about Josh? The thought of him on their mind, the topic of their conversation, made him feel good, like a part of him was still back there with them.

I'll be thinking about you, though, and wishing you were there.

A small smile started to form and Josh quickly pulled it back. He was aware that he needed to get a grip and not think about Brandon as a friend...or in other ways. They couldn't have a friendship...or any other relationship. Yet he couldn't quell the quiet bubbling excitement at the thought of spending the rest of the week with him, having dinner at his house again, spending time around his dad as well. For one week, maybe he could pretend he was a part of their family...and this reality—his family—didn't exist.

Josh didn't know he'd dozed off until Wiley was shaking him awake. He blinked. His head was resting against the window. Josh rubbed his eyes and straightened up, looking out through the front windshield. They were parked in front of his house. "Thanks for the ride," he mumbled and opened the door.

His brothers emerged from the house and approached the car. "Can you stick around for a while?" Elijah asked Dan. "Hang out?"

Dan killed the engine. "Yeah. Sure."

Josh groaned inwardly. If Wiley stayed, then Josh would have to keep him company until he left. He just wanted to do his chores then lock himself in his bedroom and imagine he was back in town with Brandon and Cooper Nichols.

"How did it go?" Uriah asked Josh as he exited the car.

Unsure what he was really asking, Josh shrugged. "Okay. We just worked on our project."

"At Nichols' house," Wiley smirked, ignoring his brother's previous reprimand.

"You went to his house?" Uriah had a stare that could chill Josh to the bone; a stare he'd inherited from their father. "I thought you were supposed to be out gathering some rocks or whatever."

His throat suddenly dry and heart pounding, Josh answered weakly, "We were just taking notes today. We'll...we'll start doing that tomorrow."

"Was his family there?" Uriah asked.