Part 25 (1/2)
”No, it's not; you hurt yourself trying to stop him. I appreciate what you did. Can I visit you? That is, when your p.r.i.c.k of a mate isn't there.”
”Actually...” Corey crossed his fingers. ”Would it be alright if you come get me? I need a place to stay.”
”Sure. I can be there in thirty minutes.”
”Thanks, but when you get here make sure I'm alone before you enter. I don't want anyone finding me, especially Sledge.”
”No problem. And you can stay with me for as long as you like.”
Corey smiled. Man, the guy was nice. ”Thanks, Tyler. I really appreciate it.”
”You're more than welcome. What's your room number?”
Corey reeled it off, then said bye. Ten minutes later his mother returned with a can of Sprite and an arm full of food that Corey definitely didn't want to eat.
”Thanks, Mum,” he said, taking the Sprite. His eyes went to the door, looking for his father.
His mother pushed his beanie up, making him grab for it. ”Don't worry, love, I'm not taking it off, it was almost over your eyes.” She glanced at the spot where Corey was staring at. ”Your father couldn't stay. He wanted to pop in to see your great uncle Max. The old fella is worsening, they're not too sure he has much time left.”
Corey frowned at the mention of his uncle. He liked the old dude. ”He could've at least said bye-or even h.e.l.lo.”
”I'm sorry, but you know what he's like.”
Yeah, a h.o.m.ophobic a.r.s.ehole. Corey opened the can. ”I'm tired, Mum. After I finish the drink I wanna sleep. You can go, too.”
”No, I wanna stay with you.”
”There's no use if I'm sleeping, but we can talk for fifteen minutes if you like.”
”Okay, love.”
Corey took a swig of the Sprite. Once he left with Tyler that was it. He'd had enough. If two of the people he loved couldn't stand what he was, he didn't want to see them again. And stuff the radiotherapy; he didn't give a s.h.i.+t anymore.
21.
Sledge That sleazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d had f.u.c.ked Corey alright. Sledge had seen it in Corey's expression. G.o.d, he wanted to rip Tyler Jones apart for touching, let alone breathing on Corey.
He slammed the car door shut and headed around Juliet's Hyundai. Considering it was Sunday, he didn't know why the Jones's street was so quiet. Kids were always playing ball sports in his cul-de-sac, getting in the way of cars and being li'l s.h.i.+tes.
He pushed open the gate, and glanced over at the neighbouring house as rap music started playing, the only thing giving life to the dead-end street. He bobbed his head up and down in rhythm as his gaze s.h.i.+fted to the broken-down car sitting on the gra.s.s. He wondered whether Corey's dad would like it. It had a good body, solid, with only a bit of rust.
He snapped his attention away from the car, realising he was just prolonging what he had to do. Wondering whether Tyler's father was home, he pounded on the front door. He'd never dealt with Deano like Ash and Dante had, but had seen the racist p.r.i.c.k around town, the guy a poster child for n.a.z.is. He'd also been told the guy was a right psycho, but he didn't care, because he was most definitely in the mood for a rip-roaring fight.
Someone hollered inside. After several seconds the front door pulled open, revealing an emo girl dressed in black.
”My dad and uncle's not home,” she said. ”Come back later.”
Sledge jammed a boot in the door before she could close it. He'd heard about Kirstin from his cousins Kane and Mick, and they were right, she was hot. ”I'm not here for them; I'm looking for my mate Corey Connor.”
She pouted. ”My cousin took off with him last night, probably lured him away with booze.” A lopsided grin played across her features. ”Though, I would've loved to see Tyler get smacked for making a pa.s.s at him.”
Sledge tried not to grimace. ”Is Tyler home?”
”No, he doesn't live here anymore.”
I know. ”Can I have his address then? Corey hasn't come back, and I'm gettin' worried.”
”Well, he won't be at Tyler's, I can guarantee that.”
”Can I still have it? Maybe Tyler can tell me when Corey left his place.”
Her brows pulled together. ”What's your name?”
Sledge went silent, not sure whether he should tell her. Well, he could always give her a fake one. He went to open his mouth then stopped as someone let out a loud whoop, accompanied by swearing. Sledge recognised his cousin's voices. He poked his head through the doorway. ”Hey, cuzzie bros, how's it hanging?”
Kane and Mick looked up from the couch, along with an emo boy. ”Sledge!” Kane yelled. ”Whatcha doin' 'ere?”
”Tryna find my mate.” He glanced back at Kirstin. ”Can I come in?”
”Sure, no probs.”
Sledge followed her inside as Kane climbed over the couch. He was wearing jeans, a T-s.h.i.+rt with a marijuana symbol and a Rastafarian tam hat, which hid his dreadlocks.
”What's your mate's name?” Kane asked.
”Corey Connor. He's short, skinny and is always wearing a beanie. This chick said he went off with her cuz.”
”Yeah, I warned him 'bout that f.a.g, but I don't think he got what I wuz saying.”
”Tag! Don't insult Tyler.” Kirstin punched Kane.
”Ouch!” Kane rubbed his shoulder. ”Whatcha do that for, b.i.t.c.h? You call him a flower.”
”I can say what I like, he's my cousin, but you can't. And flower is nicer than what you called him.”
”I can call him a lot worse than that.” Kane refocused on Sledge. ”Anyway, Corey's bro said he could take care of himself, and if the b.u.t.t jockey- Ouch! Stop punching me!”
”Then stop insulting Tyler!” Kirstin yelled.
”He's not even here, and if the flower...” He poked out his tongue at Kirstin, then returned his attention to Sledge, ”...made any moves on your mate, he would've gotten smacked. Tyler's such a lamo girl when it comes to fighting.”
Kirstin laughed. ”Yeah, even I can take him down.”
”That's cos you're a nasty b.i.t.c.h who bites.” Kane extended his right hand and pointed to a mark. ”Look what she did to me last week. All I did wuz accidentally touch her, and she went nuts.”
”You grabbed my b.r.e.a.s.t.s.”