“You want us toleave?”Deke looked annoyed. “We’re here for you, man. What’s your problem? You’ve been kind of dickish since we arrived.”
“I didn’t invite you,” Graham said. “This is my grandpa’s property, and he wouldn’t want you here, partying onhislake. This was his sanctuary. I came up here to spread his ashes and be alone.”
Ryan chuffed. “Was he a fag, too?”
“What?” Graham turned on him, irritation giving way to anger. “Don’t talk about my grandfather—ever. You will never be the man he was.”
“Not sure I want to be.” Ryan made a face at Wendy. “If you know what I mean.” He mimicked ringing a bell, and Wendy snickered.
“I will knock you on your ass,” Graham threatened. “Do yourself a favor and shut the fuck up.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Deke asked Ryan. “What do you mean, is he a fag,too?Who’s a fag?”
Ryan looked at Graham but said nothing.
Deke frowned, confused, as he turned to Graham. “What’s he talking about?”
“Nothing,” Graham mumbled. “He’s talking out of his ass, as usual.”
“Really?” Ryan challenged. “How about that time when we were ten, and you tried tokissme?”
“That didn’t happen.”
“Close enough,” Ryan said. “You tried to hold my hand. Next, you would’ve tried kissing me. Don’t deny it.”
Deke looked uncomfortable as his eyes darted between his two friends. “Is that true?” he asked Graham. “You made apassat him when you wereten?”
“Oh,my god,”Wendy squawked. “You reallyarequeer.”
“Who’s queer?” Brian piped up from nearby. He sauntered toward them, beer in hand, swaying slightly. “Who we talking about?” He smacked Deke on the back and grinned. “Who’s a fag?”
Deke just stared at Graham.
Brian looked from one to the other, his gaze settling on Graham. “No fucking way.”
“I think…way,” Deke said. “And he’s pissed we’re here. He wants us to leave in the morning and get off his grandpa’s precious lake.”
“What?” Brian fixed hard eyes on Graham. “What the fuck, man?”
Graham shook his head and stepped around Brian, who grabbed his arm.
“Are you seriously queer, dude?” His grip tightened, his fingers digging into his bicep.
“Let go,” Graham spoke low as his heart began to thump against his ribs.
“Better do what he says,” Ryan smirked. “Or he might kiss your ass. Oops, I mean,kickyour ass.” He and Wendy cracked up.
Brian squeezed a little harder, his short nails cutting into flesh. “This might be your lake,” he said, his voice slurred. “But this isourboat. And maybe we don’t want somefaggotonourboat.”
“Maybe we don’t,” Deke confirmed.
Graham watched them, suddenly tense. The level of alcohol surging through their systems only fueled the flames of this suddenly unstable situation. Others wandered over to see whatthe commotion was about. Brian and Deke ignored them as they held their standoff with Graham, Brian’s grip on his arm tightening.
7
“I said…”Graham glared at Brian. “…letgo.”
“Or what?” Brian growled.
