The kid’s face hardened, and he clenched his fists. “I should kill you for that.”
“That’s what he said, and now he’s six feet under. Try it.”
“What the fuck?” The kid stepped back. “Are you threatening me?”
“This kid is that stupid?” he murmured. The kid threatened Orsen first. If high school was going to be like this, then Orsen wouldn’t be coming back.
“Yeah. Pretty much.” Dale shrugged.
“First, you threatened me. I reminded you of who I am and what I’ve done. Leave me alone.”
“And who the fuck are you? No one here’s got a fucking clue except we all know how fucking stupid and ugly you are.”
Orsen took a step closer, ignoring Dale’s muttered, ‘don’t.’ “I’m Orsen. Maybe you know my dad. His name is Ambrose. Or was. He’s dead now.”
The kid took a step back. Orsen ignored his name and Ambrose’s being whispered. Knew that if they didn’t know now, they would soon enough. He hated that people knew what had happened, but if it meant it stopped idiots like this one, then it served a purpose.
“Orsen. You okay?” Orsen looked at Cody. “Thought I’d come and pick you up.”
“Thanks. These are my friends. Dale, Matty, and Devon.” Orsen pointed to them as he said their names. “This is Cody.”
Cody smiled. “Yeah, that Cody.”
“You’re the Sheriff’s… you’re young and he’s—” Dale snapped his mouth shut.
“Hot. Yeah.” Cody arched an eyebrow.
“My sister thinks he’s gorgeous. Says it’s a shame he’s gay…” Matty trailed off, swallowed, then plastered a fake grin on his face.
“Shame for her, but not for me.”
“I didn’t mean…I mean, what...”
“I’d stop while you’re behind.” Cody smiled, then threw an arm over Orsen’s shoulders. Looking at the kid, he shouted, “You finished or does Orsen need to kick your ass all over school?” The kid opened his mouth, then closed it. “Wise decision, and here was me thinking you were a dumb fuck.” Walking away, he pulled Orsen along. “You coming?” he asked the other three.
“Thanks for coming.”
“I thought we could go to the tea shop. They have new cakes. Some lavender thing I want to try. What about you three? Want something to eat and drink?”
“That would be nice Mr… er…”
“Just Cody, Dale. I’m not old enough for the mister stuff yet.” Cody winked at Orsen, then ran his fingers through his black hair. “TJ thinks I need to get it cut, but I like it slightly longer.” Cody tugged on Orsen’s long strands. “Not too sure about you.”
“It needs to be cut, but I don’t want to sit in some salon while they whisper about me.”
“We can go together, then. That will really give them something to talk about,” Cody chuckled. “We could even talk about our men and watch their little beaks get all flustered.”
“My mom hates the gossip. She said they all need to find some excitement in their lives.” Dale kicked at a stone as they walked along the sidewalk. “She’s happy you’re back, Orsen. She usedto give me those little mini cakes for you. I don’t know if you remember.”
Orsen screwed his face up, trying to recall his time in school. “They had icing on the top.” Smiling, he nodded. “Yeah, I do now. I used to be so excited when I got one. Some days that was the only thing I ate.” His smile faltered, then Matty nudged him and smiled.
“Don’t think like that now. I’ve never been through what you’ve gone through, and thank God for that, but you’re in a better place now and you get to build your own home!” Matty grinned. “How exciting is that? Your own place where you can live how you want to. Have friends over and BBQs and late nights.”
“TJ and me are your first guests. Or is that second after Santino?” Cody wriggled his eyebrows.
“Who’s Santino?” Dale asked. “You haven’t mentioned him before.”
“He’s my boyfriend. He’s older than me.”
