Page 6 of Quiet
“Hah! It’s okay, I won’t take them from you if you really want to do it.”
Alex was right, Briar was nicer than he seemed. Although Isa hadn’t actually been given the impression he wasn’t nice. A bit on the quiet side, sure, but Isa had never had a problem finding something to say.
In fact, if he had a quarter for every time he’d been told children should be seen and not heard, he wouldn’t have to lie awake at night worrying about scholarship issues ever again.
“So, I’m guessing your current medium is paint, right?” Isa touched a splotch of red paint on Briar’s knee. “What’s your favorite thing to paint right now?”
Briar furrowed his brow and opened his mouth, then closed it again. After a moment he spread out a hand and made a sweeping gesture.
“Nature?”
Briar nodded.
Isa’s eyes went wide as something occurred to him, “Did you do the triptych earlier?”
Briar nodded again, this time with a touch of a smug smile.
“That’s amazing! Also embarrassing—for me, I mean, not for you. Now I get to spend the next forty-eight hours agonizing over everything I said about your painting right in front of you.”
Briar waved a hand and shook his head. Isa took it to meanDon’t worry about it.
“Hah, easy for you to say. I am excellent at worrying.” If he wasn’t, he never would have made it this far.
Briar’s hand froze midair. Something Isa said had surprised him.
“It’s okay, I’m also excellent at letting my worries go.” Isa peered at Briar to see if that had been the problem. He couldn’t put his finger on why, but he was given the impression it wasn’t.
Maybe it would be better to change the subject.
“I think I’m ready to keep going if you are.” Isa stood and held out a hand to Briar.
Briar took it after a pause and allowed Isa the privilege of pretending like he had the upper body strength to haul a man twice his size off the ground.
When Briar let go to collect the cans, Isa realized his heart was pounding. He was probably still winded from the climb, but it was too late to extend their break now. He’d just have to soldier through the rest of the stairs.
“I understand ASL, by the way. If that makes things easier.”
Briar hooked a paint can handle around each wrist, put one hand on top of the other creating a T, and slid them apart.Let’s go.
Isa smiled. “Lead the way.”
For the rest of the trek to the theater, Isa noticed he didn’t have to try quite as hard to keep up with Briar. He’d slowed his pace enough to allow Isa to save face.
When they got to the auditorium, Isa’s phone chirped. It was Ryan. He answered and said, “We’re already here, keep your panties on,” and hung up.
Isa led Briar backstage where Ryan was bouncing up and down on his toes anxiously.
“What took you so long?” Ryan grabbed Isa’s hand and dragged him over to his half-painted trellis. Briar trailed after them slowly, taking in his surroundings.
“You didn’t consider the size of your delivery person when you sent me out for paint. I would have died on those stairs if Briar hadn’t offered to carry everything.”
“Dear sweet lord, Isa, you caught us a cute one.” Will reached out a hand and stroked Briar’s arm.
“I didn’t catch anything.” Isa protested. “And stop that. He doesn’t like it.”
“I’m sure he can speak for himself, Isa.”
“He doesn’t need to because I’ve already said it. Besides, didn’t you say you and Eddie were starting something? You’re going to make him jealous if you aren’t careful.”
