Sebastian wasn’t the worst of it last night, though. After I fought with him, I went straight to my room and didn’t go back downstairs. Dad came into my room while I was writing and was furious. After my fight with Sebastian, I’d forgotten to bring in the trash cans and recycling bins. Which meant that when Dad got home, he had to get out of his car and move them before he could pull his car into the garage. Of course it was my fault, and he didn’t want to hear my excuse of him letting Sebastian do whatever he pleased. Dad ended up taking the belt to my back and ass.
Even though my ass and back hurt the most, because I had karate and the thing at Hollis’ tonight, it was a small bruise on my face that had my stomach in knots. The bruise was noticeable, while the welts from the belt were not. It would be the face that Hollis and maybe my karate instructor would notice. If asked, I’d just say it was a fight with my brother. Brothers fight.
I barely made it through my karate class. The pain was excruciating each time my back touched the mat. Hollis kept me going, though. He’d asked about my face, and I blew him off by quickly moving into asking questions about the takedown move we were practicing. I’d learned it was easy to throw Hollis off by asking him about a move or something about karate.
Not only did the change in topic help keep us off things I didn’t want to talk about, but it also prevented me from being emotional. No one ever asked me how I was or cared enough to notice a mark on me. Hollis did, though. To think I survived sixteen years and finally found someone who gave a fuck was almost too much of an emotional overload. It was too much for me to deeply think about him standing up for me that day at school on top of him asking how I was or what had happened.
Hollis kept pressing for information, and when I told him about the fights with my stepbrother, like any normal kid, he advised me to tell my parents. I gave Hollis a glimpse of my dad’s opinion on the matter.
“My dad is so far up my stepmom’s ass and keeping her happy that he doesn’t give a shit about anything I say. She does nothing but drink and lay around by the pool with her other rich and useless friends. Anyhow, my dad doesn’t care. He’s told me to stop being a pussy and defend myself.”
Hollis looked to be at a loss for words, which was fine because I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. I just wanted to have him as a friend, like other kids. As it turned out, Hollis’ dad was at the karate class this morning, and after class he introduced me to him. I shook his dad’s hand, and his dad called me by my name. He even said it was nice to meet me. It was unreal and just like on TV.
I was invited to go with them to the jiu-jitsu studio. Hollis was excited about it because there were some coaches and trainers who wanted to meet him. When we got there, there wasn’t just a coach or two. The president of Top Cage Fighters was there with an entire team he had assembled to train Hollis.
I sat on the side and watched Hollis talk to the men and then he worked with his jiu-jitsu coach to demonstrate some of his moves for the TCF guys. Hollis was shirtless and only wore gym shorts. His abs flexed as he moved, drawing my eyes toward them. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to have that body. Not only was he in incredible shape, but he didn’t have scars or bruises on his skin.
The more I watched him, the more I found myself wanting him. His girlfriend was lucky to know what it felt like to have his arms wrapped around her. I wanted that so badly that mere thoughts of it caused a physical ache.
* * *
Hollis would be here soon.I sniffled hard and held the cold washcloth over my eyes while my dad stood on the other side of my bathroom door, yelling.
“You better keep yourself in check, boy. Don’t give that boy’s parents a reason to call. Do you understand?”
I tossed the washcloth on the counter and opened the door to the bathroom when I heard our doorbell. Thank God, Hollis was here. I brushed by my dad as I hurried to my room to get my sweatshirt. He was right on my heels and stood in the doorway to my room. Fuck the sweatshirt. With Dad so close, I wouldn’t dare go into the closet to get it. I had one on my chair and went to get it.
“I mean it, Patrick. You watch yourself while you’re there.”
I grabbed my sweatshirt off the back of my desk chair and walked back toward my door. I was feeling extra bold because Hollis was here; he was my escape.
“Why are you so nervous about me going to a friend’s house?” I asked as I quickly put on the hoodie. A lump formed in my throat and tears stung my eyes as I thought about my shitty life.
“Maybe you need an attitude adjustment before you leave,” he said as he started to unbuckle his belt.
God, please don’t let him embarrass me in front of Hollis.Panic set in and I pushed my way past Dad to leave, but he grabbed my arm and yanked on it until I turned to face him. I could hear Sebastian talking to Hollis, and that couldn’t be good.
“Patrick!” Dad yelled.
“You never do anything to stop it or help!” I glared at him and sniffled again. I couldn’t let Hollis see or hear me cry. I shook free of his grip and headed downstairs. Unfortunately, Dad followed.
“Don’t you walk away from me, boy!”
I hurried down the stairs, ignoring the pain in my stomach as my feet pounded against the steps. I leaned over and picked up my backpack that sat on the floor in the foyer. Shooting pain sliced through my back as the skin started to tear open on the places that had been hit by the belt earlier.
“Patty has a date tonight,” Sebastian said.
“Shut up, Sebastian.” I quickly moved around him and outside next to Hollis.
The fresh and clean scent of Hollis reminded me that I was going to be safe and away from this fucking place tonight. Let my dad worry that I might say something to make Hollis’ parents call him. I hoped he worried so much that he would be sick to his stomach over it.
“Ready?” I asked Hollis, hoping we could get away before he was subjected to more crap from my family.
“Patrick!” Dad yelled and stepped in front of Sebastian. “Introduce me to your date before you run off in a hurry.”
“He’s not my date, Dad!” I felt so embarrassed and could feel the heat on my face as Sebastian and Eli mocked me and made this worse. I remembered how I met Hollis’ dad this morning. And now, Hollis was meeting mine. “This is Hollis. That’s my dad,” I said.
“Hello. I’m William Dawson,” Dad said and held his hand out for Hollis to shake. I shook my head. I couldn’t believe the nerve of Dad and Sebastian. This wasn’t right. “Firm handshake, Hollis.”
