Page 6 of The Wicker King

DIAMOND

“I’ve been looking for you all fucking day.” Jack sat down at August’s lunch table. The light caught on his dirty-blond hair.

Alex, the twins, Gordie, and mostly everyone in the vicinity turned to gape at him. Jocks didn’t really go into this section of the lunchroom. Much less actually sit down.

“Why are you here?” Alex demanded.

Jack ignored her. “I found out where Rina works.”

“This couldn’t have waited until after school? Also, that’s more than a little creepy,” August said, popping a french fry into his mouth.

“I didn’t actually go looking for her, asshole. I saw her in her uniform going into a diner.” Jack crossed his arms triumphantly.

August jutted out his square jaw but didn’t say a word.

“She’s a waitress,” Jack crowed.

Alex looked up from her books. “Who are you guys talking about?”

“Rina Medina. She used to go to school here. She’s a poet, and a waitress, too, apparently. I thought she might have been a dancer of some sort with what she was wearing when I saw her.”

“I don’t care what girls wear or where they work, Jack. That’s their business,” August replied. “And I’m pretty sure that having any job is better than nothing.”

Gordie slung her arm around his shoulders and kissed him sloppily on the cheek.

“You’re going to make someone a good husband someday,” she said.

“If he doesn’t go to jail on distribution charges,” Alex snorted, cutting her hamburger in half with a flourish.

“I say we go and see her at work,” Jack said.

“No. I don’t want to stalk anyone, Jack. Go back to your table.”

Jack stood up and backed away, shooting at August annoyingly with finger guns.

“Whatever, man. It’s happening.”

FLEECE

“Why do you want this so much?” August stirred the pasta sauce a couple of times, then added a bit of salt.

Jack didn’t answer until August was finished making dinner.

“I just want a new friend. But, like, a cool secret friend that we can be with after school…”

“You getting tired of me already?” August joked.

“I’m pretty sure without you, I’d starve to death and never finish my homework. So, you’re kind of nonnegotiable, to be completely honest,” Jack said as August put a plate down in front of him.

“Well, that’s reassuring. Nice to know I’m your chef/dad.”

“Be thankful you don’t have to go to parent-teacher conferences.” Jack winked at him.

“Honestly, the only reason I think your parents are ever around for those is because it’s the only way to keep Child Protective Services away,” August remarked snidely.

Jack frowned. His parents were consultants and rarely took time off from traveling for their jobs. It was a sore subject for him, but it just made August angry.

“Also, we’re not going to Rina’s job,” August declared, picking up the pepper and brandishing it threateningly