“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
I looked at Stephen.
“Did you get to read the complaints?”
“I wasn’t given the opportunity.”
Stephen leaned back and crossed his legs. “This isn’t coincidental.”
It was like a rush, hearing him say that. “Th-that’s what I said. I think someone is trying to get me fired.”
Stephen tapped his chin thoughtfully. “It’s unlikely whoever is behind this is someone you know.”
“What do you mean? The graffiti, rumors about me and Felix having sex at school? That’s pretty personal.”
“Yeah, but you’ve lived here for a few weeks. Felix? He’s been here a long time, and he’s always been out and proud in his quiet little way.”
“So you think it’s someone who had issue with Felix first?”
“Yeah. And the news of you two dating probably tipped this person over the edge.” Stephen leaned in once more, setting his elbows on the tabletop. “Think about it. Felix has been single forever, and then he meets a sweet guy like you?”
I smiled.
“I won’t pretend that I know either of you on a deeply personal level, but neither of you seem to be the sort who would willingly go back into the closet.”
“I just can’t understand why any of my students would make up a story like that. Felix has been bringing the band after-school snacks, out of his own pocket, and their thanks is to burn his shop down and get me fired?”
Stephen swallowed the half a finger of whiskey that hadn’t spilled from his cup, then shook his head. “It wasn’t a student.”
“It… wasn’t?”
“Multiple emails from students? Come on. Since when do teenagers email the principal? Shit like that starts in the bathrooms and hallways, then goes to social media.”
“I mean—I guess that could be true.”
“I’ve been at that school for a while,” Stephen said. “And if there’s one thing you can trust me on, the student body isn’t going to turn toCasswith concerns.”
“Then where’d he get the emails?”
“Maybe from someone who knows he’s dumb enough to believe anonymous letters.” Stephen’s gaze flicked, and he was looking over my shoulder as Eatery’s front door opened. “Stay here a second.”
“Where am I gonna go?” I muttered at the plate of fries when Stephen left his seat. I took a few, eating the lukewarm food with a surprise bite of spiciness that made me choke and grab for water. I coughed a few more times, set my glass down, and looked over my shoulder.
Stephen was at the counter, talking with a massive man who’d just entered the restaurant. He was being introduced to the same cook I’d seen the night Felix slipped me his business card and changed my life. Stephen turned and pointed at our table, and both men nodded. They followed him as he led the way back to me. The chef rolled his white sleeves up, showing off his heavily inked arms, which matched his hands and neck.
He held a hand out to me. “Hey.” He had a fiery green voice.
“Uh, hey.” I shook it.
“Gideon Joy,” he stated, helping himself to Stephen’s seat.
Stephen slid his hands into his trouser pockets and remained standing beside the brick wall of a man.
“Bowen Merlin,” I slowly replied.
Gideon leaned his arms on the back of the chair and pointed a lazy finger at me. “Yeah, you’re dating the apple dude.”
“Felix Hansen,” his counterpart quietly offered.
