Page 12 of The Wicker King

“Of course,” Peter said smoothly. He didn’t look impressed with August’s outburst. “But I’m certain that what I’m going to tell you will be of interest to you. I know I’m not particularly nice. But niceness and kindness are two different things, and I am nothing if not kind—regardless of the methods I use to achieve such a thing.”

August just stared at him and waited.

“My mother is a psychologist, did you know that? I know it sounds non sequitur, but I swear to you it’s relevant. It’s just…” He paused. “I noticed something about Jack and thought you might benefit from some advice. I’m offering you use of my mom’s services, in our home, of course—and free of charge, should you ever need it. Something about Jack reminds me of someone I used to know. And if my assumptions are correct, you’re going to need all the help you can get.”

August was both suspicious and very annoyed now.

“What did you see?” he demanded.

Peter narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re playing at,” he replied flippantly. “But you should be glad I’m even offering. I promise I won’t be the only one to notice something, if it gets worse.”

August didn’t like how vague he was being. “Okay … first of all, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Jack is fine. He’s always been weird, but he’s fine. And second, I’m not so sure I want to be in your house. No offense, but you kind of creep me out.”

Peter scowled ferociously at that.

“But,” August continued gently, “I’m not stupid, and I know you wouldn’t make the effort unless it was a big deal. Especially without Roger. So thanks for the advice, but I’m sure you don’t know what you’re talking about. On the off chance that I’m wrong about that, I’ll take you up on your offer … but only if things get especially dire.”

“Good,” the other boy said tersely. “See that you do.”

BLUE

August watched him closely.

He couldn’t see anything wrong with Jack. Peter was probably just being an asshole and trying to freak him out for fun or something. He followed the angles of Jack’s profile with his gaze, resting on the delicate curve of his ear and the bump on the bridge of his nose.

Jack sighed. He paused Mortal Kombat and glanced over at August. “Why are you doing that?”

“Doing what?”

“Looking at me like that. Are you thinking about changing your mind about visiting Rina again tonight?”

“No … no. It’s not that. I was just worried about something.”

“Worried about … me?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Oh.” Jack sat there for a while. “I like it,” he admitted. “You can keep doing it if you’d like.”

“Doing what? The staring or the worrying?”

Jack just smiled and unpaused the game.

BALL AND CHAIN

They leaned against Jack’s car and waited in front of the diner. August pulled his jean jacket tighter around himself. It was beginning to get cold. “We don’t even know if she’s working today,” he griped.

Jack just shrugged and checked the plate of cupcakes to make sure none got crushed on the drive over. “I just want to get these to her. Then we can go off and do whatever.”

August scoffed and leaned his head back onto the roof of the car. Honestly, if this took any longer than ten more minutes, he was going to get back inside the car and go the fuck to sleep. Protecting Jack from Rina’s potential wrath be damned.

“Oh, hey!” Jack said excitedly.

August opened his eyes to the sight of Rina walking toward them at top speed, brandishing a metal spatula.

“Wait, wait!” August called out frantically. “He just came to bring the cupcakes he promised—then we’re leaving!”

“What? You brought me cupcakes?” she asked, surprised but no less angry looking.