“How did they take that?”
“They weren’t happy. They reminded Garland that they had objected to dad’s presence in the first place. They said that since dad had heard the settlement details, he would need to sign a confidentiality agreement as well or the deal is off. And don’t even think of asking for more money to buy his silence. One hundred thousand’s their final offer. And then they left.”
“FUCKING HELL!” Matt was furious. Like punch-a-hole-in-the-wall furious, except he wasn’t that stupid, this being Nicholas’s and Bradley’s house and their walls.
Everything. All his work and scheming to get Colton kicked out of school and Adam readmitted was threatened by Adam’s fuckwad father! What was it about fathers of gay sons that made them so awful at their jobs? Were gay sons really that hard to love?
Adam walked over and wrapped his arms around Matt’s waist. Looked up into his eyes. “I haven’t even told you the bad news yet.”
“It’sworse than this?”
Adam grimaced. “It involves you. That’s what dad’s whole ‘conscience’ thing is about. He told Garland that it makes him sick to think that I’ll be mocking God and returning to campus where I’ll secretly be your ass-boy. That’s what he called me, an ‘ass-boy.’”
Matt stroked the back of Adam’s neck, soothing him, while also imagining the myriad ways he would make Adam’s dad regret calling his son that name.
“I’ll leave MCU,” Matt said. “I can get a soccer scholarship at a nearby school. That’ll take away your dad’s leverage.”
Adam shook his head. “I know my dad. This isn’t about his conscience or my soul. It’s about money. He can’t stand the idea that I’ll get three times more money than he makes in a year. The only reason I told you about all this is because I don’t want any more secrets between us. Okay?”
“Yeah, but—”
“—But nothing,” Adam interrupted. “I’ve got this. This problem’s easy to solve. You and I are going to get our happy ending.”
Matt beamed with joy. Bent to kiss his boyfriend.
Adam squirmed away. “Dragon breath! Sorry! I’ll make it up to you, okay? Let me get this Garland thing out of the way. Then you can give me that workout you promised—assuming you’ve brushed your teeth and washed these sheets.”
Matt grinned.
“And then, while your cum is still warm inside me,” Adam said, “I’ll tell you my idea for a little trip we’ll take. A sort of scavenger hunt—with benefits.”
Chapter 45: So Long, Farewell
Thursday, May 2, 1996
Matt awoke to the sound of voices outside his room. Not loud ones. Raspy, whispered ones, which was unsettling.
Nine months of dorm life had inured him to the raucous and rowdy: spirited theological debates that raged until cockcrow; horseplay of the improvised team-sports-in-the-hallway-variety; and banging doors, theCosmic Microwave Background of banging doors.
He’d heard it all, conditioned himself to sleep through it.
Whispers were a different matter entirely. No one did that, which was why they screamed for his attention.
He sat up. Listened.
Silence.
What the hell? Had he imagined it? Dreamed it? Maybe? It was finals week, and he hadn’t been sleeping well. Also, later he was setting off with Adam on their “scavenger hunt with benefits” in search of Jeremiah Quince. Surely, the whispers were the product of jangly nerves.
His digital clock flashed 7:39 a.m.
He stretched and yawned. Scratched his balls.
Last night had been his final one as a freshman in this room. His shit was packed and stacked—everything but the poster of the hot rock climber. Storing it would be the last thing he did before turning over his key.
Matt had one last final exam to take, one last chapel service to endure. He’d stop by the Registrar’s Office and say goodbye to Debbie. Then he’d check out of the dorm. Begin scavenging his past, Adam beside him all the way.
Their first stop would be Enid, Oklahoma, Jeremiah’s last known address. They would sniff out his trail from there.
