“I made him promise not to tell you. I wanted to be the one. He was cool though. Said you’d be fine. That— that maybe you were, too?”
“Me? What the fuck, man.”
“You haven’t exactly been dating a lot.”
“Not any girls I like.” I shrug, frowning. “Definitely not any my dad would let me date. I’m not a homo, dude. Okay?” Am I?
“Okay. Just, you know, if you…”
“I thought we were going to the waterpark?”
~*~
“Austin?”
“Yeah? Huh, what?” I blink at the dark room, struggling to my elbows.
“I need a place to crash.”
“Jesse— What?” My eyes slowly adjust until I can make out that Jesse is sitting on the end of my bed.
“They found out, Aus. My folks found out.”
It’s midnight, I note, checking my bedside clock. I’m having trouble comprehending the conversation. “Okay. Found out what?” I blink a few times and rub my eyes, reaching over to click the lamp on. Jesse’s cheeks and eyes are a black-and-blue, tear-stained mess. His blond hair sticks out with clumps of blood mangled in it. “Jesus, fuck. What the fuck?” I’m too concerned to ask how he got into my room.
“My dad. Fuck, Aus. He kicked me out. After he’d kicked me around.”
“Okay. Okay.” I sit up, pulling the covers off and grabbing my cell. “We’ll call Mr. Buchanan. You gotta turn him in. You gotta go to the hospital, man.”
“I’ve been already. It’s just bruises and a few scrapes. They denied my credit card for the co-pay. He cut me off, Aus. He took everything and cut me off.”
“It’ll be okay, Jess. Dave ‘n me will look out for you. Wait here.” I leave and grab some icepacks downstairs. When I get back, Jesse is staring out my window, shoulders slumped in defeat. “Here.” I hand him the packs. They sit unused in his lap.
“Just let me crash here. I’m so tired. I’ll call tomorrow. I just can’t deal tonight, man.”
“'kay. First thing tomorrow, though,” I yawn, slipping back into bed and waiting for Jess to join me. It’s only the third time he’s spent the night since he confessed being gay a month ago. Too groggy to sense the implications of everything, I close my eyes and begin to drift off.
“I don’t have anyone, Aus.” I’m not sure, but I think he’s crying.
“Asshole, you got me and Dave. You got the whole Buchanan clan, dude.” His hand finds mine under the covers. I will myself not to shake it free. He’s my friend, and it doesn’t mean anything. He just needs his friend is all. And that feeling in my stomach? That’s just fear for him. “We’ll deal in the morning.” I yawn again. “Maybe we’ll go kick your dad’s ass.”
His laugh is the last thing I hear before I fall asleep.
~*~
Jesse refuses to file charges against his father. I can’t blame him, he still hopes for some reconciliation. He’s eighteen, so his father doesn’t legally have to house him anymore, even though he has four months of high school left. He moves in with Dave’s family.
My father calls me to his study three nights after Jesse sleeps over. My grandfather sits in my father’s desk chair, my father in the visitor’s chair. I find the power play a little hilarious, though I do most of the laughing in my head.
“You’re friends with that Chambroy boy?” My grandfather settles an imposing glare on me. I’ve shot up five inches since freshman year and five-feet-six-inch Arthur Glass has to look up at me even while he’s standing. Probably why he remains seated.
“Yeah. Best friends,” I say defiantly.
“A faggot? You had a faggot in your room and your bed? Are you a faggot, son?” My father doesn’t say a word. His gaze is mild and expectant as he inspects me.
“No.” My heart is beating ridiculously fast. I wonder if Dave won’t be getting a second boarder soon.
“See that you stay away from him. And that other hooligan. Don’t think I can’t change my will, young man. And your father can just as well put you out. We’ve had just about enough of your behavior. Your little stunts haven’t been more than attention seeking up to this point. I understand that boys will be boys, but I won’t have a faggot in my family.”
“No, sir.” I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants.
“Test me, boy, and I’ll show you the meaning of the word poor.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Find some new friends.”
“Yes, sir.” Fuck you, sir.
Five minutes later, I go over to Dave’s.