“You just said it yourself, we’re the Boys of Hawthorne, we stick together. You should be happy he’s kicking her out. He was sweating beads in there.”
Percy adds, “Never seen him act like that.”
Stanley complains, “This is taking too long.”
Blue walks out with Melly. She’s still talking to him, and he looks like someone just kicked his dog.
“What’s his deal with her?” I ask.
“Fuck if I know. He’s like a goddamn wall to talk to. He keeps his mouth shut. I never know what’s going on with him.” Stanley watches from the back seat window. His knees bump the back of my seat.
Blue walks Melly to her car. She hugs him and smiles.
“Shit, she likes him,” I mutter.
“Yeah,” Percy says, watching the entire interaction.
“Shit, here he comes,” Stanley mutters. Blue’s walking to his side, but Stanley doesn’t scoot over, so he walks around the truck and gets behind the passenger seat.
He gets in and sighs. “Let’s go.”
I touch my pocket for the keys.
Blue taps the seat impatiently. “Let’s go.”
“I don’t have the fucking keys,” I mutter under my Camdenth.
“Jesus,” Blue scoffs. “You can’t be serious.”
“Told you, we’re just a bunch of donkeys,” Stanley mutters.
Melly starts driving away, and as soon as she’s out of sight, Blue relaxes a little.
I turn around to look at him. “What’s the deal with that?”
Blue rolls his head. “I don’t want to hear it.”
Stanley gestures with his hands. “See, told you.Wall.”
“Start talking, Blue,” I demand. “Why are you all red and sweating?”
Stanley says, “So, who is she?”
“Nobody,” Blue answers. When he sees our faces, he just says, “She’s from home. That’s all.”
I Camdenk the silence by asking, “What do you need?”
“Getting her out was enough. That’s all I needed, cap.”
I nod. “Always got your back, but if this is messing with your head––”
“It’s not,” he says quickly.
I open the truck door and get out. The rest of the guys follow. When we get back in the house, I walk upstairs. Blue’s right behind me going to his room.
I turn around and say, “I’m around if you want to talk.”
“Thanks, cap. I’m gonna pack.”
