Free Backwoods by Jill Sorenson Page A

wanted to escape? There was conflict everywhere he turned.
    He glanced over his shoulder at Brooke. She followed him in silence, not chirping about the scenery or wildlife for once. He liked her more than a stepbrother should, but her high energy rankled when he was feeling down.
    It was easy for her to be upbeat; she was perfect.
    When they reached the creek, he handed her the water bag. “I’m sorry,” he said, his stomach churning.
    She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He was only an inch or two taller than her, so their bodies lined up in a pleasing way. “It’s okay,” she said, releasing him. “You were upset.”
    “Do you hate my mom?”
    “No, I like her. I shouldn’t have made that karma comment. It was mean.”
    He watched her nibble her lower lip, her blue eyes full of regret. Even Brooke said bitchy things in the heat of the moment.
    “Do you really think they’ll split up?” she asked.
    “I don’t know.” It was going to suck either way. Ray was a jerk, but Leo’s mom loved him.
    “If they do, will you stay in touch with me?”
    “Of course.”
    “Good,” she said, smiling. “I don’t want to lose my only brother.”
    Brother. Right.
    She bent to fill up the water bag. It filtered inside the collapsible pouch and came out a tube at the bottom, ready to drink. He carried the heavy bag back to camp and hung it on the short tree branch Brooke pointed out. Then she fired up the camp stove and put a pot of water on to boil. Leo was starving, so he hoped the freeze-dried dinners were edible.
    “Help me set up the tents,” his dad said.
    Leo rose with reluctance, not interested in another lecture. His dad was pretending to be a concerned parent for Abby’s benefit, but he didn’t really care. The Storm had always been more focused on sports and professional success.
    Leo would never be good enough to suit him; he’d given up trying a long time ago.
    His dad studied the instructions and started putting poles together, speaking to Leo only when necessary. The tents were compact and low to the ground, designed for maximum comfort in minimal space. Leo wasn’t looking forward to sharing such tight quarters with someone who could barely tolerate him.
    “Your mother didn’t want to tell you,” his dad said in a low voice. “She didn’t think you’d understand.”
    “Did you cheat on her, too?”
    “No,” he said, his brows rising. “Never.”
    Leo wished they’d talked about this a long time ago. Maybe it wouldn’t have made a difference. He’d never forgive his dad for treating him like a disappointment. But knowing this small truth changed Leo’s feelings about him.
    Once the tents were secure, his dad brought the gear inside and left Leo alone with his thoughts. Brooke wandered over to help him get situated. She showed him how to use the air valve to inflate the sleeping pads.
    “Do you think they’ll let us sleep together?” she asked.
    He laid out his sleeping pad. “No.”
    “Why not?”
    It was a silly question, so he started blowing into the valve.
    “Then my mom could sleep with your dad.”
    Ugh. He didn’t know which was worse, Brooke’s lack of sexual self-awareness or her weird fascination with their parents hooking up.
    “They’d make a cute couple. I like your dad.”
    “If you like him so much, why don’t you sleep with him?”
    She made a horrified face. “Ew, Leo! No.”
    He finished inflating his sleeping pad, smiling a little. Then he watched her blow into the valve on her sleeping pad with more interest than was appropriate.
    Brooke tempted and teased him on a regular basis. She did it the same way she did everything, with unfiltered joie de vivre . Flirting was as natural as breathing to her. Maybe she toyed with him because he was safe. They were comfortable together. There was no possibility of a relationship. She meant no harm, but she wasn’t so oblivious that she didn’t notice his reactions to her. He’d gotten an