Page 68 of The Freshman

“Well you’re lucky you’renot working in there. Someone put mackerel in the office microwaveand the whole place stinks.”

Alfie placed his hand on his stomachand scrunched his face. “That is definitely something I don’t wantto think about.”

“Don’t got throwing up onthat coat. Looks expensive.”

Alfie made it halfway to the prisonthen realized he was wearing the coat Nate had gotten him. It wastoo late to go back and change, and he’d be lying if he said itwasn’t warm and comfortable to wear. Underneath was his prisonofficer uniform, shirt tucked in, tie fixed, and all buttons intheir correct holes. He felt a mess internally, but he wasdetermined not to show it.

Dave secured his hair in a bun, thenflicked his chin out at the car. “Nate’s been a handful all week,getting them banging the cells at night and stirring up order inthe day. He’s lucky Ryan’s still letting him go. Grief drives a mancrazy.”

Alfie scratched the back of his headand shuffled from foot to foot. “Don’t think I’ll be much help ifhe kicks off later.”

Dave waved his hand. “We haven’tforgotten that mean right hook of yours. Besides, he’ll behave ifyou’re here.”

“Why do you saythat?”

“I didn’t, Henry did. Hesays Nate misbehaves when you’re not there and calms down when youare.”

“Henry’s talking rubbish,”Alfie muttered.

“We’ll see. You’re in theback with Mike, part of the bread to a Nate sandwich.”

Alfie moved to the opposite side ofthe car and opened the door. Nate’s expensive suit caught Alfie’seye, at a guess the same brand as the coat buttoned around himself.His facial hair had been trimmed, and he had swept back his fringeover his head. He stared straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to theopen car door.

“Well, you getting in?”Mike grumbled.

Nate flashed a bored look in Alfie’sdirection, then did a double take. He stilled and widened his eyes.His mouth slacked, and he shook his head. “No, hell no.”

Alfie swallowed awkwardly and rockedback on his heels.

Nate’s face twisted in anger, and hecurled his top lip.

Alfie hated that look being attachedto him. The memory of their night in the cell was still raw in hismind.

“Oi, calm it down,” Mikesaid, gripping Nate’s bicep.

All the times Alfie had seen himbefore, Nate’s hands had been secured at his back, but in the car,they were on his lap. His hands were curled into fists, so tighthis knuckles looked like they would protrude the skin.

Alfie gawped in horror, and anotherlevel of confusion was added to his stretched-out mind. Nate hadswitched from expressing concern for his welfare, to frothing atthe mouth with anger at the sight of him.

“Back off, keep walking.You’re not getting in the car.”

His commanding voice was doused inthreat, in warning in case Alfie was foolish enough to disobey him.Alfie’s feet stuck to the concrete, and his hand glued itself tothe door of the car.

Mike was growling words in Nate’s ear,telling him to calm down, but Nate only had eyes for Alfie, and hismouth spat words of venom.

Alfie took the aggressive words in hisstride, but being told he wasn’t wanted affected a deep part ofhim. The one person that had convinced him he cared was nowgrowling him away.

“I don’t want himhere!”

Mike shook his head. “Not yourchoice.”

Nate showed his gritted teeth andhissed, “You are not wanted here.”

“That’s enough!” Mikeshouted, yanking hard on Nate’s arm.

Dave climbed in the front, and the carjolted. He clipped his belt into position, then turned to faceAlfie.

“Guess Henry does talkrubbish. Get in.”

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