Page 25 of Lost Boy
I just roll my eyes, turning to dap him up and mumbling a greeting around a mouthful of guacamole.
“Hey, Fallon. ’Sup?” Cole asks, and I peek at him out of the corner of my eye as I load my plate with different dips, finger foods, and a small cup of ice cream.
Fallon just nods his head in greeting, not saying anything out loud. Cole darts his eyes to me but doesn’t say anything, either.
A million questions are running through his head, but he won’t get the answers. Not from me and definitely not from Fallon.
“Jamie here?” I ask before dipping a chunk of cauliflower into ranch and shoving the whole thing into my mouth.
“Yeah, he’s in the kitchen.”
Fallon follows me, opting not to eat anything since we ate dinner not too long ago.
I find Jamie leaning against the kitchen cabinets, his tall frame dressed in fitted dark jeans and an indigo button-up that complements his golden brown skin. His short black curls shine under the bright kitchen lights, and I can tell he just got a fresh edge-up after school.
“Looking sharp, my friend,” I tell him, doing the special handshake we’ve done since seventh grade.
He runs his hand along the side of his head, turning to show me the swirly line with the heart looped through. It’s slick.
“Nice, bro.”
“Cruz. The ladies love it, I’m telling you,” he teases casually, giving me a blinding white smile with a small wink. He’s definitely popular with the girls at school, but he treats them right and has had two serious girlfriends during our time in high school. His break-ups end well too. Jamison is just a nice fucking guy.
“I know they do, bro. Trust me.” I flick my eyes to the blonde chick at the other end of the kitchen island, hovering by the liquor bottles and coyly checking Jamie out.
He tips his head back and laughs, excusing himself to talk to her.
“Hey, Blue.” I don’t know why I say it when he told me not to. It just slips out, but it feels right on my tongue nonetheless.
Fallon narrows his eyes but doesn’t comment.
“Want me to make us drinks?”
“Sure.” He boosts himself up on the counter next to the refrigerator, folding his legs and sitting cross-legged as he watches me with an intense expression in his steely blue eyes.
He took his jacket off and laid it over the back of one of the barstools so he’s in just the tiny black T-shirt again. His pale skin peeks through the holes, teasing me with glimpses of his soft flesh.
I don’t let his stare distract me. I’m used to being watched and under pressure, my every move scrutinized. The basketball court doesn’t miss a thing. Even on the sidelines, you always have to be aware. And the way I’m staring back at him wouldn’t go unnoticed.
I focus back on making two strong mixed drinks and hand Fallon his as I polish off the rest of my food. He’s still sitting cross-legged on the counter, like a little blue-haired, sparkly lipped magical creature. Then the front door opens, and I hear loud, obnoxious laughs and hollers.
Great.
The Jefferson High douchebags. Just what I needed. Before I can tell Fallon to hop down and leave the kitchen with me because they are undoubtedly here to get wasted, Seth, Rich, and Dustin come strolling in with cocky smiles and shitty attitudes.
I wanted to have fun, not deal with these assholes. I don’t know why Cole continues to invite them to these things. His parties should only be for Acadia Lake students. These guys are always up to no good, and I don’t trust them.
“Cruz. ’Sup, pussy?”
God, Rich is such a tool. I cannot stand him. Seth has been my arch-nemesis and rival since middle school, while Rich and Dustin are always annoying.
“Eat a dick, Lopez,” I tell him.
“Nah, I bet that’s more your taste, Ry,” he says patronizingly and pats me on the chest as he strolls by and opens the refrigerator door next to Fallon.
“The food is on the buffet, and the drinks are on the island,” I tell him firmly without actually saying to stay out of the fridge and back away from Fallon.
“And who’s this pretty little girl?” he says like a complete asshole and raging homophobe when he finally notices Fallon. Not that I even know if Fallon is gay! But I’m gay, and I’m fucking offended by this tool every time I see him.
