“I don’t understand why Patrick thinks it’s wrong to have sex.”
Mickey shrugged. “It’s a religious thing. Most religious people don’t like gays and think we’re evil or something.”
Marcus’ face scrunched. “Evil? We’re all about love and sex—what’s evil about that?”
Mickey laughed. “I don’t know. I think we’reloveable.”
“Me,too.”
The phone vibrated and Marcus yelped, dropping it on the bed. Mickey laughed.
“Scared me,” Marcus giggled and picked up the cell. He looked at the display. “It says, unknown caller.” He glanced up at Mickey. “Should we answer it?”
Mickey took the phone, hesitated, then answered.
. . .
“Hello?”
Patrick almost hung up on reflex—terrified that he’d actually made the call—but froze when the voice that answered at the other end of the linewasn’tDerek. His throat closed; should he hang up—or ask for Derek?
“Hello?” The voice was soft, tender… pleasing to the ear.
Patrick swallowed. “Derek…” His voice shook.
“This is Mickey,” the boy said.
Mickey.One of the “twins” that Derek mentioned. Patrick suddenly recalled the video of the two blond boys and his pulse quickened.
“Is…” Patrick nervously cleared his throat. “Is Derek there?”
“No,” Mickey replied. “He’s in town with a friend.”
Without his phone? “Oh, um… okay.”
“Do you want to leave him a message? Or I can give you his friend’s number.”
This was supposed to be one last phone call and then no more.Derekwas supposed to answer.
“Who is this?” the boy asked softly.
Patrick lay back on the bed as warm tears rolled down his temples. His throat knotted tight, silencing him. Why was he crying? Why had hecalled?
“I-I’m sorry,” he whispered shakily. “I… I shouldn’t have called.”
“It’s okay—”
Patrick crumbled, sobs breaking his voice. “Don’t tell him I called. Please don’t…”
“Patrick…?”
“Please don’t tell him.” Patrick hung up and dropped the phone. He turned onto his stomach and buried his face in the pillow, crying his heart out.
