Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
I smirk when Nutter pats the pipe with his paw and move it out of his reach. “Of course. But first, you need to be introduced to all of Vulture Hollow.”
Clyde’s gaze strays, betraying his discomfort at the idea, but as much as I hate forcing him into anything he doesn’t want, making new friends to replace the maniacs he used to call brothers would be good for him. “Prophet told me there’ll be a bonfire tonight,” I add and kiss his knuckles. When I spot my ring on his finger, I kiss that too.
Clyde lets his head fall back and stares at the ceiling for a while. “Okay,” he says finally. “Let’s rip off that band-aid.”
I cup his nape and lock lips with him, our kiss intense yet lazy and flavored with smoky cherry. It gets right to my head, but before my body can get any ideas, I pull away. “I’ll get us some food for late lunch. Maybe get some rest while I’m gone?”
“And I’ll use that new shampoo if I’m supposed to not look like shit tonight. Gotta pretend I’m fine, right?” he says bitterly, but still gives me another kiss before getting up.
I wave at him and only rise to my feet once he’s inside. Nutter’s not happy being shoved off the place he chose for his nap, but my legs need moving. Once again filling my mouth with the smoke, I walk down the steps and follow the trail dappled with the sunlight peeking in through the tree crowns. Normally, I’d go straight into the middle of Vulture Hollow, but I have a hidden agenda and instead, I skirt the edge of the village, heading for the garages.
I’m not surprised to sense eyes on me. Everyone I pass sneaks a glance, and I swear the pack of teenagers behind me is not just coincidentally taking the same path as me. In Vulture Hollow, no civilian would dare tease me about being gay the way my brothers do. Still, it’s unsettling to know how fast gossip travels in our village.
I’m getting close to my destination, and by now, I’ve had it with the whispers and giggles, so I turn around and face the group head on. I’ve never backed down from a confrontation, so if a bunch of teens needs to learn a lesson today, then so be it.
I even take a step their way when they stop walking. “Is there a problem? You want to say something to me?”
They stop so fast one of the boys in the back of the group walks straight into his friend, and only a joint intervention of two other teens keeps her from falling flat on her face.
I know them all, on sight at least, but I can’t say if I ever talked to any of them other than exchanging a brief thanks or something of that nature.
The girl recovers fast and grabs the arm of one friend, whispering in his ear while others stare at me with wide eyes, as if they’re all in on a joke I’m not aware of. And I will not be made into a joke.
“We heard you’re gay,” the kid says, pushed forward by the girl.
“How is that any of your business?”
Saskia, who I know as the daughter of our grocer, rolls her eyes. “I told him you’re taken. Plus, you’re too old. No offense.”
I’m… definitely not offended, but this situation is out of my depth, and I rub the back of my head. “What is the actual question here?”
The waif of a boy, with floppy hair covering his eyes, blushes so furiously that what I can see of his face resembles a tomato. I doubt he’s fifteen yet. “So… it’s okay to be gay? In Vulture Hollow?”
Considering how long I’ve suppressed this part of myself before life forced me out of the closet, I’m the last person who should give others advice, but I am part of this community, and my voice counts as much as anyone else’s. “Yeah. Don’t let anyone give you shit. And if they do, come and tell me.”
The smile brightening his zit-adorned face makes something crack a little in the shell around my heart. I wish someone had had my back when I’d struggled with this. Then again, Prophet did peel me off the asphalt and bring me here. I didn’t come out until now. I’m glad I can be someone to protect this kid if push comes to shove. From the look of him, he’s hardly future biker material, but we need all sort of people here. A cook, a hairdresser, or the mechanic I’m going to see.
“Yes. Yes, sir,” he says, nodding a bit too much. I hope he doesn’t develop a crush on me, because that would be fucking awkward.
I give him one more nod and turn to the garages as the kids whisper to each other.