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

Chapter 72: "The Devil's Triangle"

"You tell me it gets better, it gets better in time

You say I'll pull myself together, pull it together, you'll be fine

Tell me, what the hell do you know? What do you know?

Tell me how the hell could you know? How could you know?

Till it happens to you, you don't know how it feels, how it feels

Till it happens to you, you won't know, it won't be real."

- Till it Happens to You, LADY GAGA

Brandon followed his dad downstairs while Josh and Elijah unpacked what few belongings they'd brought with them.

"They're going to need more clothes," Cooper said. "Maybe Sunday after church we can take them shopping."

A smile formed and stuck on Brandon's face as they entered the kitchen and Brandon leaned against the counter.

"What?" Cooper chuckled.

"You," Brandon said. "You're like a really cool dad. I mean, awesome cool."

Cooper laughed softly. "Thank you. You're a really awesome cool son, too."

"Yeah, I know." Brandon brushed his knuckles nonchalantly on his chest then grinned. "Seriously, though, you're what other Christians should aspire to be. I mean, you don't just talk the talk, you walk the walk. It seems like so few Christians these days can say the same."

"Thank you," Cooper smiled. "But I'm hardly perfect. I have my faults, too."

"Maybe," Brandon admitted doubtfully. "But they're well hidden beneath your awesomeness." He gazed at his dad with pure admiration. "Do you even realize what you did tonight by welcoming them into our home? They left the only thing they've ever known and took refuge in a world they'd been taught all their life was forsaken and condemned by God. Don't you think that some part of them maybe feared that they wouldn't be accepted out here after judging it so harshly? But you showed them differently. You took them in without a second thought and immediately made them feel welcome and at home. You helped save them."

Cooper looked at his son. "It's because of you that they saw this as a safe place." He walked over and hugged Brandon. "I'm just building on the foundation you laid down, son."

A few minutes later, Josh appeared in the kitchen doorway, pausing hesitantly. Brandon smiled and motioned him in. "Where's Elijah?"

"Laying down," Josh said quietly. "He's kind of exhausted. Mostly emotionally, I think. He's really worried about Uriah." He came over to Brandon and slid his arms around him. "I am, too," he whispered against his shoulder.

"God's got a plan," Cooper said gently. "Maybe removing you and Elijah from that house was just phase one. I believe with all my heart that he will take care of Uriah and not let him come to any more harm."

Cooper's words seemed to soothe Josh somewhat and he relaxed a little in Brandon's arms.

"You're going to come to the youth retreat with me tomorrow, aren't you?" Brandon asked. "I promise, you'll have a good time. And it'll give you a chance to meet some of the other kids from the churches around here."

Josh was hesitant. "Are...are you sure they would even want me there?"

"Yes," Brandon grinned and kissed his cheek. "Absolutely. And once they get to know you, they can't help but love you."