“You’re joking, right?” Rafe asked with someseriousness.
Eamonn nodded yes.I am joking, I think.“There has to be a way for you to make some money while you’re here that doesn’t involve putting some stranger’s cock in yourmouth.”
“Let’shope.”
“Have your parents always been likethis?”
“Yes. They would always take care of things for me. I never knew it was something to notice until I got here. I did some thinking on this last night.” It seemed like Rafe was still thinking about it. “I feel like it intensified when I came out to them. They became even more protective. They started wanting to drive me more places rather than me getting rides from others. They knew all of my teachers’ names and the subjects they taught in high school. Even now, my dad always asks me if people are treating me well. I think they were worried for me—still worried—that the world would be much rougher for a gayteen.”
“And so they kept you in abubble.”
“They mean well. All parents want their kids to be safe. It’sbiological.”
“Did they ever teach you to stand up foryourself?”
“If there was ever a problem, I knew to identify a teacher or adult incharge.”
“I’m talking about throwing a punch, duffing up some wanker who deserves it.” Eamonn had gotten into a few scuffles in primary school, but soon, the other kids knew he was one puff not to fuckwith.
“My school had a zero tolerance policy against bullying andviolence.”
“The world doesn’t have a fucking zero tolerance policy.” Eamonn walked up to the stove, dipped the wooden spoon in the sauce, and had a taste. “I think it’sready.”
He dipped it again and this time held it to Rafe’s mouth. The guy happily parted his pert lips, and Eamonn couldn’t help being a little turned on. “Is this your familyrecipe?”
“Yes. Passed down over five generations. When my grandparents immigrated to America, they only had this ravioli recipe onthem.”
“Was that sarcasm,Rafe?”
“I believe itwas.”
“Well, holy baskets of cunts.” Through the laughter, their eyes met over the bubbling sauce. “Eat up, because we have work to do when you’redone.”
“We do?” Rafeasked.
“Tonight, I’m going to show you how to beat the shit ofsomebody.”
