Page 10 of Flare

Kip shot me a surprised look, which I ignored because, yeah, I’d felt the heat from the eyes already.

Jack almost folded in on himself. “You know I wouldn’t!”

“Did you like the namesyou’vebeen called this year?”

A fire flashed in Jack’s eyes and he looked plain fucking miserable. “No,” he mumbled.

“Damn right. So, just you remember that before you use an ugly name on anyone else, or your world is going to grow very small, very quickly. Understand?”

Jack dropped his eyes. “Yes.”

“Now apologise like you mean it.”

Jack turned to Kip and looked genuinely contrite. “I’m sorry for calling you that.”

Kip gave a sharp nod. “Forgotten,thistime.”

I cleared my throat. “So, what do you think? Six weeks working for me and Kip after school from four until six. If you have any afterschool sport or stuff you need to do, we can work around that. We stay open till five thirty to catch the commuters heading to the station, and then there’s clean-up after that.” I looked to Beck. “Does that work?”

Beck nodded. “Not a problem. Jack changed his school this year and isn’t involved in any sport yet. Jack?”

Jack chewed on his cheek, then sighed. “I’d have to take two buses to get ho—”

“I’ll pick you up,” Beck interrupted. “The university is just up the road.” He looked over at me. “I teach there.”

Jack slumped. “It’s not like I have a choice, is it?”

Beck shook his head. “No, and you’re bloody lucky you’re getting off this lightly.” He handed Jack his coat from the back of the chair.

“And next time you won’t be so lucky,” Carla added. “You’ve a lot to thank these guys for. I could be arresting you. Make sure you don’t let them down, okay?”

Jack’s face paled. “Okay.” Another elbow from his uncle drew a reluctant additional “Thank you.”

Beck squeezed Jack’s shoulder. “Go wait in the car. I’m parked out front.”

A jack rabbit couldn’t have gotten out of there faster.

Carla wasn’t much slower, handing us her contact details before wishing us luck and heading for her car. As soon as she was gone, Beck closed his eyes and leaned on the back of the chair, looking about as frazzled as I’d ever seen a man. I had the urge to grab him in a hug, which was startling in its ridiculousness.

When he finally opened his eyes, he looked straight at me with enough misery on his face to take my breath away. “I apologise again for Jack’s behaviour,” he said, shaking his head. “He’s not that kid, not really. It’s no excuse, but he’s had a tough year. You can be sure the consequences won’t stop with today. Thank you for giving him a chance.”

He turned to Kip. “And I’m really sorry for the slur. Jack knows better. I’m gay myself,notthat I’m assuming you are, of course. I’m only pointing it out because he wouldn’t dare try that shit with me. He’s only come to live with me recently and we’re still getting used to each other.” He sighed with the weight of a universe on his shoulders and I wanted to know why.

Kip smiled and spread his arms wide. “Gay as fuck, although it’s been a long time since I was called that particular word.”

“Me three.” I raised my hand and saw a flicker of interest return to those beautiful eyes.

Kip laughed and fanned himself. “Okay, if anyone mentions daisy chain, I’m out of here, just saying.”

Beck’s cheeks above his beard turned crimson, but he chuckled.

I shot Kip a look. “Excuse my assistant. He gets like this when he needs new batteries. But you can be sure Jack won’t get away with any of that language while he’s here. It might be good for him.”

Beck nodded. “Agreed. We should exchange contacts.” He handed me his phone and I added my details, then sent myself a text.

“It’ll be grunt work,” I warned him. “Cleaning and sweeping, shit like that. He won’t be ringing up any sales.”

“Exactly what he needs.”

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