My parents have known I’m bisexual since my last year of high school, and they never batted an eye. They just want me and Amelia to be happy.
I busy myself making my pancake masterpieces, and by the time Amelia and Jade enter the kitchen, there’s a massive stack of my sister’s favourite breakfast on the bench. They tuck in, not even bothering to grab plates, just eating them off the pile.
“Can I drive? Pretty please with a cherry on top,” Amelia asks when she’s finished stuffing her face, pouting and fluttering her lashes at me for good measure. She turned eighteen a month ago and finally got her license last week.
I shake my head, signing back, “No chance.”
No one drives my car but me. I got the bones of my 1974 SL/R 5000 Holden Torana when I was sixteen and spent two years doing it up with my pop. Those are my best memories. I was gutted when he passed away six months ago.
“You suck,” my sister sulks, sticking her tongue out at me.
I choke on my pancake, my cheeks flushing. If only she knew what I was doing last night. The memory of his heavy length on my tongue, and the hot as fuck Prince Albert piercing through his head. Fuck me, I’d love to feel what it’s like pressing into me.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts of the sexy arsehole who left me on my knees in Euphoria, I chug down the rest of my orange juice.
“Keep insulting me, short stack,” I sign after placing my empty glass on the bench, “and you’ll be walking to the carnival.”
While we’re pretty comfortable with money, Mum and Dad have tried to instil good work ethic in both of us, and we both needed to save money for our own cars.
“How far off the goal are you now?” I sign.
Her face lights up as she tells me, “Fifteen hundred dollars. Dad said he’ll take me to the dealership in two weeks.”
I hold one hand up for a high five as I swipe my keys off the bench with the other, and she grins as she slaps it. She and Jade follow me out to my car, both sliding into the back seat.
“What am I?” I tease as I start the engine, even though only Jade can hear me. “Your chauffeur?”
“You’re our slave,” Jade says demurely, signing as she speaks so Amelia can follow along. “And don’t you forget it.”
The smellof frying onions drifting from the sausage sizzle has my stomach rumbling when I get outof the car and walk towards the entrance, despite only finishing breakfast fifteen minutes ago. Beckford High School, my old stomping ground, is a flurry of activity, with a huge banner hanging over the entrance gates to the school announcing the carnival.
Parents in wide-brimmed hats wrangle with trestle tables under marquees on the outdoor basketball courts, setting up cake stands piled high with lamingtons, cupcakes, and other delicious treats. Up the other end, some year twelve students are setting up their dunk tank, laughter and good-natured ribbing floating through the air.
The footy field is overrun with a jumble of rides and games—ring toss, giant Jenga, a duck pond, spinning teacups, the cha-cha, a jumping castle, and a haunted house. One end of the soccer pitch next to it is set up with market stalls selling everything from home-grown produce and homemade jams to jewellery, clothes, and second-hand books. The chairs on the other end curve around a makeshift stage, where a few of the local bands will play later.
Amelia announces that she and Jade are going to help their friends set up the face painting station, and I wave her off as I head over to greet a few of my teammates I’ve spotted near the barbecue.
“Yo, Kincaid,” yells our left-back, Alex Ritter.
“Hey, guys.” I nod at everyone, not missing the scowl on my captain’s face.
Fuck him.
“Party at ours tonight,” our left wing says. “You in?”
I glance at Jasper Kale, who replaced Luca Whitford last year when he got a call-up to the English Championship in the UK.
Jasper transferred to Beckford U at the beginning of last year, and I don’t know him all that well, but he’s alwaysbeen nice enough. He lives in a share house with our grumpy captain and our back up goalkeeper, Dane Galdeen, who’s not my biggest fan considering I hold his coveted position. Fun times.
Before I can reply, Theo Walters, Jade’s brother and our former right wing, throws his arm around me. “Of course he is. There’ll be plenty of pussy now you’ve broken things off with Erica.” He grins at me. “Or dick if that’s what you’re after. Just keep your eyes off mine, Kincaid. I don’t bat for your team.”
I shake my head and shove him off me. “Shut up, dickhead.” I look back at Jasper. “Yeah, man. Count me in.”
The guys continue chatting about the party, but I meet Noah’s pissed-off stare, cocking my head. “Problem?”
He ignores me and stalks off towards the refreshment table.
Sighing, I turn my attention back to the conversation. I don’t know why Coach Johnson chose him as captain. It can’t be for his cheerful disposition or motivational pep talks. He doesn’t even seem to like half of us.
