Page 132 of Seven Letters

‘Sorry, I thought they knew.’

‘So Zach’s the guy?’ Johnny asked. ‘Is he your boyfriend now?’

‘No … Well, kind of.’

‘Are you a couple?’ Mia asked.

‘See?’ Riley glared at Shocko. ‘Now I’m going to get interrogated.’

Shocko held up his hands. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘It’s still very early days and I don’t want to talk about it,’ Riley said.

‘Is that who you were with this morning?’

‘I was with Shocko too.’

‘Threesome!’ Johnny winked.

‘Dad!’

‘Joking, love.’

‘I don’t think I could do a threesome with another guy. Two girls, definitely,’ Shocko said.

‘Is he in school with you?’ Mia was determined to get as much information as possible before Riley shut down.

‘Yes.’

‘Is he nice?’

‘Yes, Mum.’

Mia looked at Shocko.

‘Yeah, and he’s sporty,’ Shocko told her.

‘Now we’re talking.’ Johnny rubbed his hands together. ‘Rugby? Soccer?’

Silence.

‘Tennis? Basketball?’ Johnny continued listing sports.

Shocko grinned. ‘What is it he’s into again, Riley?’

‘He’s into high jump,’ Riley muttered.

‘High jump?’ Johnny repeated. ‘As in high jump?’ He tried to suppress a chuckle.

‘Yes, Dad.’

‘Right. Not the most macho of sports, but good enough.’

‘It’s actually really skilled and he trains all the time and he’s really fit and good at it.’

‘Good for him. It shows he’s focused and dedicated,’ Mia said. ‘Kids who are good at sports tend to stay on the straight and narrow.’

‘Oh, Mum, you’re making him sound like a nerd now.’

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