Everyone laughed. This seemed to be an easy punchline.
Harley snagged Matt’s leftover cake.
“Next topic,” William said after the laughter subsided. “Colton Langley. We now know he’s the person who ratted out Adam to the dean.”
A shocked silence settled on the room. Harley put down his fork.
“Correction,” said Luke. “Colton’s the ‘shitbag’ who ratted out Adam. The guy isn’t human.”
“Kevin crossed his arms, declared, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”
“What’s déjà vu?” Matt asked. “I mean, I know what the phrase means. How is this déjà vu?”
“Is that solid information about Colton?” Evan demanded of William. “Or just speculation given your history with him?”
Josh jumped in. “Solid. I visited Adam in the hospital while his parents were grabbing lunch. I told the nurse I was his brother.”
“And?” Evan prompted.
“And Colton’s gaydar works as well as ours. He guessed that Adam was gay, befriended him, and tricked him into confiding his secrets, including that he and an older student—me, obviously—had hooked up on some old country road.”
William addressed Kevin. “We never established definitively that Colton was behind that kid’s expulsion last year.”
“What’s gaydar?” Matt asked.
“All the same,” Evan said to William. “I feel like we should have seen this coming.”
“Gaydar’s a sixth sense, but with extra glitter,” Luke explained to Matt. “Yours will improve over time, hopefully like your stamina!”
Everyone laughed good naturedly.
“You all know?” Matt asked.
“News travels fast around here,” William said wryly. “Almost as fast as you, dahling!”
Harley patted Matt’s knee. “Don’t worry, buddy. I hold the record: two minutes flat.”
“And now he’s up to two minutes fifteen seconds!” said Todd.
“Guys!” said Josh. “This isn’t a laughing matter. We should probably assume Colton’s next target will be one of the two gay freshmen, Paul Olson, or Matt. They’re the weakest link.”
Matt sat frozen. He could be this Colton guy’s next target.
Evan asked Josh if he thought Adam had given his name to Colton or the dean.
Josh shook his head. “Adam says he didn’t. I believe him. He’s a good kid. Besides, don’t you think that if they knew my name, I’d be an ‘ex’ student by now?”
William nodded. “I think Josh is safe. And Matthew knows not to fall for Colton’s tricks. Which leaves Paul.”
William turned to Harley. “As Paul’s sponsor, what’s your opinion of his readinessfor membership?”
Harley wiped cake crumbs off his shirt. “He’s a good kid. Very bookish. He’s just so scared. His dad’s a preacher. You know the drill. We never got past talking.”
William arched an eyebrow. “Harley, no hedging here. Do you, or do you not, recommend Paul for membership?”
Harley grimaced, shifted his weight in discomfort. “Not at this time,” he said.
“I think that settles it,” William said. “We’ll discontinue Paul’s recruitment. Any objections?”
