Quiet Storm, Season 2, Episode 6 (Rising Storm) (10 page)

“Yes, well, I don’t care about that either,” Payton said icily. “Or about you, for that matter.” She drew in a deep breath. “Enough is enough, Sebastian. I’m tired of playing at being your wife. I haven’t been a real wife in a long time. I’ve been a prop, and so have the children. We’re done.” She turned to the kids. “Grab what you need for the night. We’re leaving.”

“But—” Jeffry looked at her, his expression both hopeful and confused.

“Just go,” she said more gently. “It’ll be okay.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Sebastian asked as the kids hurried to do what she said.

“My sister’s. We’ll be back tomorrow to pack more things. I’d appreciate it if you weren’t here. I’ll have my lawyer get in touch about the details. But it’s over, Sebastian. It’s just plain over.”

His mouth opened and closed like a fish, and for the first time in memory, Marylee was speechless, too.

Feeling lighter than she had in years, Payton packed up the kids and they headed to Celeste’s, with Jeffry riding in the front seat, repeating over and over that he couldn’t believe she’d done that.

“You’re a rock star, Mom,” he said.

“I’m sorry it had to come out that way. I know it wasn’t easy.”

“Yeah, well, you made it easier. I love you, Mom.”

“I’d hug you, but then I’d crash the car.”

“I’ll hug him for you,” Brit said, wrapping her arms around her brother from the back seat. “I love you, you little prick. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“I was going to soon. I swear. Things blew up.”

“That they did,” Payton agreed. “Maybe I owe you a thank you. I should have left your father a long time ago.”

As she spoke, she pulled up in front of Celeste’s house. Jeffry had called ahead and spoken to Lacey, and now her niece came flying out of the front door. “Oh, my god, Jeffry,” she said when he got out of the car.

“I know,” he said. “Kind of the worst-case scenario, huh?”

“Or the best,” she said, echoing what Payton had already said. “You can be yourself now, right?”

They all headed toward the front door where Celeste was waiting to greet them. Travis, Payton noticed, didn’t seem to be home.

“I’m so sorry to barge in,” she told her sister. “I know the timing couldn’t be worse for you.”

“No,” Celeste said firmly. “It’s okay. I—I want to help.” Her smile wavered. “I think I need to.” She ushered them inside. “I made sandwiches and cocoa.” She gave Jeffry a squeeze. “Love you, kiddo.”

“Love you, too, Aunt Celeste.”

“You made snacks?” Payton said, fighting back tears. Maybe this was going to turn out to be even better than she imagined. Maybe this was the kick Celeste needed to push her back to the land of the living.

“Well, they’re not gourmet, but...”

“Thanks,” Payton said gently. “I love you.”

They all settled in the kitchen and ate sandwiches and drank cocoa, and though no one pushed him, Jeffry told them about his friend Scott and the event. “He’s not like my boyfriend. But I guess I am kind of dating him.”

“Then I want to meet him,” Payton said.

“Same old, same old,” Brit said, laughing. “All boyfriends must meet Mom.”

“I should get you settled,” Celeste said. “You’ll take the guest room?”

“Actually, I need to go out again,” Payton said.

“Really?” Brit asked.

“Jeffry’s made me do some thinking, and there’s something I should do tonight. Go on to bed, you guys.”

Celeste nodded slowly. “If you need to talk...”

“I know,” Payton said, then hugged her sister. “I love you.” She glanced at the kids. “I’ll be back in the morning, and we’ll figure everything out then.”

“Love you, Mom,” Brit said, then headed up the stairs.

“I do, too,” Jeffry said. He started toward the stairs with Lacey, then paused and turned back. “And by the way, Mom, I know I already said it, but you were really great tonight. I won’t ever forget it.”

* * * *

You were really great tonight.

Payton shifted her weight from foot to foot as she stood in front of Francine’s door with Jeffry’s words still running through her head.
Great
, he’d said, but it had been the look on his face that had truly spoken to her. A look that said he loved her. That he was proud of her.

And most of all, that he could be himself with her.

It had been a long time since she’d done something solely for the kids’ sake, without thinking about Sebastian and his ridiculous career or about how her actions would look on social media.

She’d gotten out of the habit of doing the right thing—the honest thing. Instead, she’d been doing the expected thing.

Tonight, she’d flipped all of that around, and it had felt good. Great, even.

And now she wanted to feel even better.

Now, it was time to do something not for Sebastian. Not for the kids. Not for the community or the church or anybody else.

Right now, Payton was wallowing in self-interest. She’d told Jeffry she loved him for himself, and she didn’t expect him to be anybody but the man he was.

Why the hell should she expect less of herself?

She shouldn’t, and that was what had brought her to Francine’s door. What had her stomach twisting nervously and her palms sweating.

With her heart pounding in her chest, she lifted her hand and knocked. A moment passed, then another and another. She feared that Francine wasn’t home, and all the nerves and butterflies were for nothing.

But then she heard footsteps, and then the doorknob turned, and then there was Francine, standing in the doorway with a smile on her face, her eyes soft and bright and welcoming.

“Payton,” she said, “what are you doing here so late? I’m thrilled to see you, of course. But is everything okay?”

“It’s great,” Payton said, reaching out to take the hand of the woman who’d become her friend. Who was, maybe, more than a friend.

Tomorrow she would undoubtedly see Sebastian and Marylee again. Tomorrow, things might start to unravel even more. But as she smiled into Francine’s warm and friendly face, Payton couldn’t think about that. All she could think about was this moment.

And no matter what storms might be rumbling in the distance, for right now, at least, everything was perfect.

* * * *

The story continues with Episode 7, Blinding Rain by Elisabeth Naughton. Click
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Rising Storm story

Storm Season: Ginny & Jacob – the Prequel

by Dee Davis

Rising Storm

Storm, Texas.

Where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy…

Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.

But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets. Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart. The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.

Rising Storm
is a series conceived by Julie Kenner and Dee Davis to read like an on-going drama. Set in a small Texas town,
Rising Storm
is full of scandal, deceit, romance, passion, and secrets. Lots of secrets.

Look for other Rising Storm Season 2 titles, now available! (And if you missed Season 1 and the midseason episodes, you can find those titles here!)

Click to purchase.

Rising Storm, Season Two

Against the Wind
by Rebecca Zanetti

As Tate Johnson works to find a balance between his ambitions for political office and the fallout of his brother’s betrayal, Zeke is confronted with his brother Chase’s return home. And while Bryce and Tara Daniels try to hold onto their marriage, Kristin continues to entice Travis into breaking his vows…

Storm Warning
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As Joanne Alvarez settles into life without Hector, her children still struggle with the fallout. Marcus confronts the differences between him and Brittany, while Dakota tries to find a new equilibrium. Meanwhile, the Johnson’s grapple with war between two sets of brothers, and Ian Briggs rides into town…

Brave the Storm
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As Senator Rush’s poll numbers free fall, Marylee tries to drive a wedge between Brittany and Marcus. Across town, Anna Mae and Chase dance toward reconciliation. Ginny longs for Logan, while he fights against Sebastian’s maneuvering. And Hector, newly freed from prison, heads back to Storm…

Lightning Strikes
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As Ian Briggs begins to fall for Marisol, Joanne and Dillon also grow closer. Joanne’s new confidence spreads to Dakota but Hector’s return upends everything. A public confrontation between Marcus and Hector endangers his relationship with Brittany, and Dakota reverts to form. Meanwhile, the Senator threatens Ginny and the baby…

Fire and Rain
by R.K. Lilley

As Celeste Salt continues to unravel in the wake of Jacob’s death, Travis grows closer with Kristin. Lacey realizes the error of her ways but is afraid it’s too late for reconciliation with her friends. Marcus and Brittany struggle with the continued fallout of Hector’s return, while Chase and Anna Mae face some hard truths about their past…

Quiet Storm
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As Mallory Alvarez and Luis Moreno grow closer, Lacey longs for forgiveness. Brittany and Marcus have a true meeting of hearts. Meanwhile, Jeffry grapples with his father’s failures and finds solace in unexpected arms. When things take a dangerous turn, Jeffry’s mother and sister, as well as his friends, unite behind him as the Senator threatens his son…

Blinding Rain
by Elisabeth Naughton

As Tate Johnson struggles to deal with his brother’s relationship with Hannah, hope asserts itself in an unexpected way. With the return of Delia Burke, Logan’s old flame, Brittany and Marcus see an opportunity to help their friend. But when the evening takes an unexpected turn, Brittany finds herself doing the last thing she expected—coming face to face with Ginny…

Blue Skies
by Dee Davis

As Celeste Salt struggles to pull herself and her family together, Dillon is called to the scene of a domestic dispute where Dakota is forced to face the truth about her father. While the Johnson’s celebrate a big announcement, Ginny is rushed to the hospital where her baby’s father is finally revealed…

Rising Storm, Midseason

After the Storm
by Lexi Blake

In the wake of Dakota’s revelations, the whole town is reeling. Ginny Moreno has lost everything. Logan Murphy is devastated by her lies. Brittany Rush sees her family in a horrifying new light. And nothing will ever be the same…

Distant Thunder
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As Sebastian and Marylee plot to cover up Sebastian’s sexual escapade, Ginny and Dakota continue to reel from the fallout of Dakota’s announcement. But it is the Rush family that’s left to pick up the pieces as Payton, Brittany and Jeffry each cope with Sebastian’s betrayal in their own way…

Rising Storm, Season One

Tempest Rising
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Ginny Moreno didn’t mean to do it, but when she came home to Storm, she brought the tempest with her. And now everyone will be caught in its fury…

White Lightning
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As the citizens of Storm, Texas, sway in the wake of the death of one of their own, Daddy's girl Dakota Alvarez also reels from an unexpected family crisis... and finds consolation in a most unexpected place.

Crosswinds
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Lacey Salt's world shattered with the death of her brother, and now the usually sweet-tempered girl is determined to take back some control—even if that means sabotaging her best friend, Mallory, and Mallory's new boyfriend, Luis.

Dance in the Wind
by Jennifer Probst

During his time in Afghanistan, Logan Murphy has endured the unthinkable, but reentering civilian life in Storm is harder than he imagined. But when he is reacquainted with Ginny Moreno, a woman who has survived terrors of her own, he feels the first stirrings of hope.

Calm Before the Storm
by Larissa Ione