Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Caleb

After the fundraiser, football camp started in earnest, August hurtling toward the end of summer, the school year looming large. With each passing day, I fell deeper into this thing with Tony. More texting. More late-night phone conversations. More sneaky meetings. We were playing with fire, and no amount of turnout gear could save me, but hell if I wanted to stop.

Consequently, I divided my time between hoping for a miracle and playing ostrich while also running herd on Scotty.

Me

Did you leave for camp?

I texted Scotty as I sat on a bucket on the station's roof, a spot usually reserved for the few hardcore smokers on the crew. Lately, it was also a place where Tony and I had private conversations, but right then, I was alone. I was unusually cranky and didn't feel like taking my break inside with the others.

Scotty

Walking to school for camp now.

Me

Did you do the dishes?

Scotty

Sorry, Mom. I forgot. It got lost in the stack of chores you keep giving me.

I groaned alone to the empty rooftop.

Me

Not trying to be Mom. It's basic roommate stuff you can knock out in a few minutes.

Scotty's next retort came quickly.

Scotty

Says you. I'm tired, man. Camp is kicking my ass, and our first real scrimmage is today. Chores are the last thing on my mind.

I had to give the kid points for the guilt trip.

Me

Okay. We'll do them together tonight.

The offer earned me an emoji with a tongue sticking out.

Scotty

Whatever.

Right as I pocketed my phone, Tony emerged through the roof door.

"You okay? Should have told me you were hiding out." He gave me his patented winning smile, but I couldn't return it.

"I'm not hiding out," I snapped before taking a breath. I didn't need to be an asshole to the person who'd rapidly become my best friend, if nothing else. "Technically, I'm taking a break. I was texting Scotty because the reception is better up here."

"Ah, I'll leave you to it then." Tony backed away, but I held up a hand.

"No. Stay. Sorry. I didn't mean to be an ass."

"It's okay. You get to be cranky sometimes, sunshine," he said lightly as he pulled another bucket over and took a seat next to me.

"Only with you." I kept my voice light, but it was true. With everyone else, I felt obligated to be funny, like I'd let my friends or crew down if I dropped the class clown act, but not with Tony. With him, I could be myself, bad moods included. Glancing around first, Tony put an arm around me, and I relaxed against his shoulder. "I need to stop letting Scotty's bad moods ruin mine. We had yet more arguing about chores."

"That's so funny because when he's over at Eric's, he's always the first to help."

"Maybe we should move in." I laughed, enjoying the chance to be silly. "Eric can adopt us next."

"Well, the sneaky sleepover potential might be worth it." Tony leered down at me. "Scotty arguing less would be the bonus."

"I'd sleep in bunk beds in the garage if it meant fewer fights." Sighing, I let my head fall against his shoulder, encouraging him to hold me closer.

"We can't have that." Tony squeezed me tightly. "And if it makes you feel better, Cosmo is the same way. Angel complains that he'll follow John and the rest of their group to the moon, but he refuses to put a cup in the dishwasher at home."

"John is a good example." I wasn't about to betray Scotty's confidence from a few weeks back and reveal the extent of his admiration. "And so are you. Watching you with Angel and Cosmo reminds me that, someday, Scotty will grow up. You're my brother-mentor."

Chuckling, Tony rolled his eyes at me. "That sounds wrong, given how often I see you naked."

"You know what I mean." I elbowed his side. "You're sibling goals."

"Now, perhaps, but remember, it wasn't always this easy. There were a lot of years when I had no clue what I was doing. Be nice to yourself." He dropped a kiss on my forehead. "You're doing the best you can."

"I know." I stretched to offer him a soft kiss, but almost as soon as our lips met, I heard the clatter of footsteps on the stairs. We sprang apart right as two longtime crew members stepped onto the roof, one with a pack of cigarettes, the other with a vape. Neither seemed to pay us much mind, but we still made a show of getting the hell out of there.

"Thanks for the talk," I said a little too loudly.

"Anytime." Tony was too jovial by far. "Thanks for the work advice."

On the stairs, he whispered, "Sorry. That was a close call."

"Too close," I whispered back urgently. "No more sneaky work kisses."

"Dammit. I know you're right, but I hate it."

"Me too."

The alarm for an incoming call sounded right then. After two car accidents and a lawn fire, it was late afternoon before I saw Tony again, this time in the kitchen as a bunch of us assembled for a late lunch. I helped myself to a turkey sandwich and tried not to glance too often over at Tony, who was seated at a table with others. I was adding some mayo to the bread when Sean came bustling through in an obvious hurry.

"Caleb." Sean made a beeline for me, and my heart launched into my throat even before he added, "We need to talk."

"Um. Right here?" I hedged a glance toward the conference room that might afford a semblance of privacy for whatever dressing down I was about to receive.

"No time." He waved a hand. "911 call just came in from the school. Crew's headed out now."

"The school?" Bile rose in my throat. I would have preferred a public lecture on fraternization a thousand times over. "Someone at football camp?"

"Yeah." Sean put a hand on my shoulder. "Accidental helmet-to-helmet hit for Scotty. Coach Willard wants him evaluated for a possible neck injury and concussion."

"Fuck."

"Deep breath," Sean said as Tony pushed up from the table. I shook my head in a subtle no. If Tony came close, I was likely to completely lose it. Instead, I focused everything on Sean. "There's a good chance the coaching staff is just being precautious. What you need to do now is call your mom, then get to the hospital."

"Yeah." I sucked down oxygen like a chocolate shake through a straw. Didn't help one bit. "I can do that."

"I can drive him," Tony volunteered.

"Hospital's three blocks away." Sean frowned, gaze darting between us. "You okay to drive, Caleb?"

"Of course," I lied, wanting nothing more than Tony's warm embrace and steadying presence. But I had no choice. I couldn't look at Tony, couldn't think about how much I needed him, couldn't even risk a few words on my way out of the room. I was too close to crumbling, and too much was at stake.

I needed to reach Scotty. No falling apart allowed. I sensed Tony behind me, but I didn't let myself turn. Instead, I increased my pace as I headed for the parking lot, phone out to call my mom. Deep breaths, like Sean said. I had to think positive for Scotty's sake, but inside, I was already bracing for the worst.