Warmth unfurled low in her belly as she smiled. Raaaawwwr, she typed back.
He didn’t answer right away. Probably working.
Next text was the group text thread she had with her three brothers. Her brows lifted as she saw all three of them had piped in.
Hi Tess, Charles had started. Got an angry call from Dad. Seems you put him in his place, so hooray for you. But he said you told him you might not come home until April. That’s not true, is it?
Don’t ever believe anything the old man says, Pierce had written next. Don’t you know that yet? He’s a shit stirrer. Tess would’ve told us if she was going to stay away that long.
I don’t know, Charles said. Yes, he’s a shit stirrer, as you say. But he sounded pretty adamant about it. I had no answer for him.
Because maybe it’s true, Dane had piped in. We’ve discussed how our darling Tesstastic hasn’t been as communicative as she used to be. Maybe he wrangled that bit of news out of her when he pissed her off . . . Um, Tess? Honey? Feel free to clue us all in. Don’t make us wonder, just set us straight.
Shit, Pierce had written. You’ve got a point, big brother. Tess? What he said. Get in touch, okay?
Yes, please do, Charles wrote. So the next time Dad calls to rage about you, which will likely be every day now that he’s focused on this, I can tell him to STFU and leave you alone.
You should tell him that anyway, Pierce wrote at the end of the thread. Tess can do whatever she wants, she doesn’t have to answer to him, FFS.
“Oh my God,” Tess breathed. She quickly texted them all: I’m here, I’m here. Went for a hike on the mountain and came back to this. You sound like a pack of hens.
Cluck cluck, Dane wrote back immediately. Tell us what’s going on, please. You’re staying there until the spring? Is that actually true?
Yes, she wrote. As of now, staying until March for sure, possibly April. Don’t know yet. She held her breath, waiting for the avalanche.
Jesus Christ, Dane wrote. Why?
Aw man, Pierce wrote.
Fuck, Charles texted. I hate it when Dad’s right & I was in the dark. Goddammit.
Sorry, Tess wrote. It wasn’t planned initially . . . I’m playing it by ear. I’ve got a situation here that’s turned into . . . How could she tell them without telling them? She paused, then wrote, It’s on a month-to-month basis now. So I’m rolling with it as it goes.
WTF??? Dane texted. What does that even mean?
Could you be a bit less vague? Charles asked.
So, Pierce wrote. What’s his name? ;)
Tess barked out a laugh at that. Not only because he’d kind of guessed correctly, but she knew if she told him both of their parents had asked the same thing, he’d be so ticked off. I’m fine. I’m working remotely, I’m exercising every day, I’m painting and skiing and enjoying myself. That’s all anyone needs to know right now. Please respect my privacy.
None of her brothers responded to that for a full minute. She sighed.
I love you guys, she wrote. I promise, I swear, that I’m fine. And I’ll be better about answering calls or texts from now on. Okay?
Okay, Pierce said. It’s your life, Tess. Do your thing. We’re here.
Oh, fuck that! Dane wrote. I’m the only one with a million questions here?
No, Charles answered. But if she wanted to tell us what’s going on, she would. Clearly, we’re not to be privy to such information.
Stop being surly babies, Pierce wrote. It’s not about us. Leave her be. Respect her wishes.
I am! Dane shot back. But I don’t have to like it. I’m worried. And I miss my sister, and I don’t like not knowing what the hell’s going on that’s keeping her away for months at a time. There, I said it, and I’m not sorry, but I’ll stop now.
Ditto, Charles wrote.
She couldn’t help but smile, even as she rolled her eyes. I love you all, she texted. I’m a lucky girl to have such protective brothers. Thank you.
Just don’t disappear, okay? Dane wrote.
That’ll never happen, Tess answered. Besides . . . by the time I get home, I have a feeling I’ll need you all more than ever. Just taking a break from the world right now.
I get that, Pierce wrote. Been there.Take it easy, okay Tessie?