Page 179 of The Lineman

“OKAY!” Mike cut in, his voice hitting teacher mode so fast I actually flinched. “Maybe let’s not start with sex talk, Jason.”

“Ugh, fine. I’ll interview her later.” Nose Ring—Jason—huffed. Then he leaned toward the terrified girl and whispered, “Do you have a Home Depot card? Every gay needs a competent lesbo fixer-upper.”

She gaped, her mouth wide. No words escaped.

Jason’s expression softened—just a little. “Hey, seriously, though. You’re good? You wanna sit with us? We’re actually harmless, but don’t let the teachers know, okay?”

She hesitated.

Then, slowly, she nodded.

And when she met his eyes for the first time, she smiled.

Mike sighed, rubbing his temples. “I hate that that actually worked.”

Mateo snickered. “I love that that actually worked.”

Surprisingly, two sets of parents showed up.

One was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a Pride pin on her cardigan. She immediately went over to hug her kid—another nervous-looking boy in a hoodie who I suspected was about five seconds from a panic attack.

The other pair were a complete wildcard—a tattooed biker and a lady in yoga pants who looked ready to fight someone—or visit a hippie farm. I wasn’t sure which.

“You’re Jason’s parents?” Mateo asked cautiously.

The biker nodded. “Yep.”

Yoga Mom crossed her arms. “You mess with my kid, I end your career.”

Mateo blinked. “Uh—”

Jason beamed. “They love me, as everyone should.”

Everyone grabbed a plate and a can of soda, taking their place in small clumps of desks they scooted together. Mike and Jamie took the lead, welcoming everyone and introducing the group and its purpose.

Heads nodded.

A few smiles bloomed.

The resident lesbian stopped staring at her hands.

Then the door creaked open . . .

Chapter forty-seven

Elliot

Thenighthadalreadybeen a mix of the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional.

But nothing prepared me for what came next.

It happened right as things were starting to wind down—most of the kids were either talking in little groups or finishing cookies, and the parents had already said their goodbyes.

The door creaked open.

I didn’t think much of it at first, just another nervous kid showing up late. But then—

Mateo froze.

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