Page 104 of Ancient History

Seth nodded, then Hutch, then I joined in, too. We were at a weird detente. This conversation didn’t go how any of us expected. We exchanged awkward goodbyes. Hutch pulled me close, and we watched Seth walk away, a hunch in his spine.

I kept thinking about what Hutch said. We couldn’t blame Seth for everything. I needed to take responsibility, too. I should’ve fought harder for him. I was defeated by one text message!

That would not be happening again. It would take a hell of a lot more to remove Hutch Hawkins from my life.

Hutch kissed the top of my head. “Ready to get out of here?”

“Yeah. Can we stop at Remix? I need a really strong drink after that.”

28

HUTCH

Ilooked like a penguin.

Whoever decided tuxedos were required formal attire needed to be thrown off a cliff. Because it was prom season, the tuxedo shops in the area were down to their last rentals by the time I came in. It was slim pickings between the worn out tuxes with faded cumberbunds nobody else wanted. I got one that hadn’t been used since the 1970s. Not even being the coach that led the South Rock Huskies to the playoffs could score me some nice suit they had to have hidden in the back.

The man at Sourwood Tuxedo tried to get me to rent a lavender one, but I was not brave enough for that.

The simple black tux was a smidge too tight in the pants, which had flared legs, and the dress shirt had ruffles. I was a soccer coach by day, time traveler by night.

I checked myself out in my mirror once more. My phone buzzed on my bed.

Amos: What time are you coming?

Hutch: 7.

Amos: I wish we could go there together.

Hutch: This is what happens when you volunteer for shit.

Months ago, Amos had volunteered to be a prom chaperone. He had to get to the gym early to help coordinate and set up. He tried to get out of it, so that we could go together, but Aguilar held firm.

It was okay, though. We didn’t need a grand entrance holding hands. The secret of our relationship was out in school. Roping his class into helping me prompose gave it away. We flirted with each other at caf duty, and kids oohed and made fun kissy faces at us, all in good spirits. We held hands in the hall. Guys on the soccer team asked me about my boyfriend Mr. B. like they would’ve asked about my wife. There was no pushback, no protest.

A lot had changed since we were in high school. Although, had it?

What would the reaction have been if Amos and I came out as a couple back then? Would it have been the doom and gloom I’d been projecting? My friends and teammates would’ve been taken aback, maybe weirded out, but what if they would’ve come around? What if Amos could’ve come with me to prom, in my friends’ limo and sat at our table like we were any other couple?

There was no use in thinking about what if’s, but it was hard to stop. Fear really could do a number on someone.

Amos and I didn’t need to make a statement tonight. All we had to do was have a good time. We had each other. And boy, would we dance. For the past decade, I’ve owed Amos a slow dance. It was time to make good on that promise.

“How do I look?” I asked Pop when I came down the stairs. He was standing by the fireplace filming me on his phone.

“Pop, why are you filming me?”

“This is prom. An important milestone in my child’s life.”

“In a child’s life. Not a grown-ass adult’s life.”

“You will always be my child, whether you like it or not.”

I tried to block the camera, but he stepped to the side to get another angle. I did not like being documented on his shitty, old iPhone. It was going to shut down if it had to do anything more taxing than make a phone call.

“I’m helping to chaperone. I’m not attending.”

“Bullshit.” He smiled over the phone. “Now why don’t you pose by the fireplace?”

---