“It became something more than just friends?” I hedge.
“Yeah,” he mutters. “But the thing is, he’s kind of in the closet.” Isaiah looks my way. “His past is complicated, so he keeps his sexuality to himself. You know how some of the people at River Ridge can be.”
“Homophobic assholes, trust me, I know.” I’ve had some nasty comments made about me more than once when playing their school’s hockey team in the past.
“We’ve been dating in secret.”
“Isaiah.” I sigh, taking a seat on the ground in front of him.
“I know, okay? I know that's not how our family works. We’re out, we’re proud, and all that bullshit. But sometimes life isn’t that easy! Sometimes it’s not all rainbows and sunshine and doesn’t get to work out that way.”
My chest clenches as my gaze drifts toward Easton. “I know,” I mumble before looking back at him.
“He’s worth sneaking around with. I like him. A lot. He’s kind and sweet. Funny and thoughtful.”
“But?” I know there's more to this. “Did he do this to you? Did you want more, and he acted out?”
“What? No.” He shakes his head. “No, he didn’t do this to me.”
“Then who?”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “His teammates.”
“What the fuck!” My voice rises.
“They caught us kissing. Parker freaked out, acted like I was the one coming onto him. Said some not-so-nice things, and then his friends started harassing me. I tried to leave, said a few colorful words myself, but there were four of them and one of me.”
“And what, he just sat by and let it happen?”
Isaiah casts his head down, telling me all I need to hear.
“I’m going to fucking kill him.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Please. It’s not his fault. You don’t understand.”
“I get that he has his reasons not to be out, and that's fine. But when he’s throwing you under the fucking bus, putting your safety at risk, that’s fucked up.”
“I know.” He sounds so defeated. It’s dark back here, but I can see the gleam of tears in his eyes.
“Who were the guys on the team that did this?”
“Bennett, you can’t go and kick their asses.” He glares at me. “You’re an adult, they’re kids. You’d get arrested.”
“I’m not going to go beat them up.” I roll my eyes. “As much as I want to, I won’t.”
“Then what are you going to do?” His brows furrow.
“Have a few choice words. Just words.”
“You’re not going to be very happy,” he warns me.
“I’m already not happy.”
“I’m not sure who most of them are, but I do know one guy.”
“And?”
“It’s Laden. Laden Pinston.”
