Page 4 of The Friend Scheme
The bar is dimly lit, filled with men in dark suits and women in dark dresses, talking and drinking in low voices. A bunch of them are my family, uncles and aunties and cousins, along with members of families we’re allied to. I’d say about half are blood relatives. Dad has two younger brothers, and they all got married young and got to work filling out the family.
I push that thought away and scan the room. There are red latticed windows at the back, above the booths, and there are candles in red glass holders on each of the tables. All this combined gives the whole place a somewhat eerie glow.
Despite my best efforts to be invisible, Dad’s youngest brother, Vince, spots me and makes his way over. He stops and sizes me up. He’s a sort of big dude, the kind of guy who was fit in his twenties but has since let it slide. He’s double the size of my dad, who’s thin, like me.
Uncle Vince is our family’s best torturer. It’s said he’s managed to crack even the hardest criminals in the city with his switchblade. Left in a room alone with him, anyone would give up their darkest secrets.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Little Matty,” he says, grinning. “What are you doing hiding back here?”
“Nothing,” I say. “And don’t call me little.”
He chuckles. “That’s fair, I guess you’re not so short anymore. When’d that happen?”
Adults are borderline obsessed with pointing out my growth spurts to me. It’s like they think I don’t already know I’m finally getting taller. I never know how I’m supposed to answer questions about my body, even though I get asked about itsomuch. It’s like they’ve never realized most guys get taller and stronger. Or maybe they’re just weirded out that the nicknameLittle Mattydoesn’t fit so well anymore.
Lord save me if my voice cracks around them. I’ll never hear the end of it.
Vince keeps staring at me. I hate it. I wonder if he’s thinking about my weight. People love talking about that, too. Apparently I’m too skinny, and it’s something people take pearl-clutching levels of offense to. Especially because Luke is so big now.
“It’s a good thing you’re here, with your dad. Hanging around here will teach you a lot, trust me.”
I force myself not to raise an eyebrow. “If you say so.”
“You look thin. You been eating enough?”
Blank. Stare.
“Like a horse.”
“Good. You should come by my gym and start lifting. Tall is good, but strong is better; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Unless you’re okay with the rumors.”
“What rumors?”
“That you’re, you know…”
Oh.Thoserumors.
“I’m not gay,” I say. “Not that I care what anyone thinks.”
“Good, good, didn’t think you were, but you know how the family talks. So, you got a girlfriend yet? Handsome lad like you must be fightin’ ’em off, eh?”
“Not really.” I clap him on the shoulder. “Listen, sorry, man, really need to hit the bathroom. Talk later?”
He grins. “She must be a pretty one if she’s making you blush like that. Be careful, girls like that will only break ya heart.”
“Here’s hoping I get so lucky.”
He laughs and then finally lets me slide past.
On my way to the bathroom, I walk past Barbie Barker, who runs a bunch of secret brothels, only for the wealthiest local citizens. She’s in her fifties, and her light brown hair is cut into a wavy bob. She’s dressed in a black suit, with sparkly material on the lapels.
Her booth is nearly full, as she’s surrounded by a group of pretty young women, along with a few pretty young men. I’m guessing they work for her, which means… you know. They’re on offer tonight. They’re all stunning. Luke goes up to Barbie, stands up straight, and starts talking to her. She lowers her glasses and smiles at him. In that second, he looks like a pretty boy for sale, blending into the crowd, not a Miller man. I wonder if that’s what he wants: to not be one of the power players by birth, if only for a second.
I accidentally make eye contact with one of her male companions. He looks me up and down.
Shit.
I step inside the bathroom, and walk into one of the dark wooden stalls. I lock the door behind me, then sit down on the closed toilet seat. I feel light-headed and sick to my stomach.
