Page 13 of Almost True
“’Course not.”
“Then maybe this is a good thing,” Korren says slowly. “If people assume we’re actually dating, it might change thenarrative in Copper Creek a bit. Make it less taboo for guys to show affection. I’m not sure how I feel about my own reputation getting destroyed along the way, but I don’t think anyone who’s actually gay would think this is wrong, even if it’s just a joke.”
I nod slowly. It’s starting to sink in that this isn’t something either of us is going to win quickly. I mean, one of us could jump straight to daring the other to have full-blown sex, but knowing what I do about Korren’s situation, I’m not certain he would back down from a challenge like that. Which means I’d probably be the one chickening out.
So instead I’ll be wearing him down slowly, which means days or even weeks of walking to work like this and going on pretend dates and who knows what else we dream up.
One thing’s for sure. Between this and my close brush with a criminal record, no one is going to look at me the same way again.
Chapter 11
Dex
The next morning is Saturday, but I still wake up stupidly early to avoid tripping over my cousins in the bathroom. I made that mistake yesterday, and it was almost enough to send me back to my tent. Even though Uncle Rhodes says I’m not allowed to camp in his yard any longer since he doesn’t want his place to look like a dump.
I’m halfway through pulling a pack of bacon out of the fridge when I remember that Korren had dared me to take him on a coffee date. I’m going to bring him to my best friend’s bakery, because he’ll give us breakfast and coffee on the house. Or at least I’m hoping he will.
I put the bacon away and am halfway to the door when Uncle Rhodes comes in from doing who knows what outside.
“Dex. Just the man I was hoping to see. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
This isn’t good.
“There’s coffee in the pot. Help yourself.”
“Thanks,” I say, with my best attempt at a smile.
We sit down across from each other at the table, and Uncle Rhodes rotates his coffee cup several times, looking profoundly awkward.
“What is it?” I ask. I’m about to start guessing what I’ve done wrong, but I learned during police questioning that it’s better to sit and wait for someone to accuse you so you don’t end up with extra charges they hadn’t intended to give you.
“Listen, Dex. I heard from your dad yesterday.”
I stiffen.
“He’s not happy that I’m putting you up like this. He’s threatening to tell people what you’ve done so you get kicked off the fire crew.”
“No!” I’m halfway to my feet, though I’m not sure if I want to fight someone or run away.
Calm down, you idiot.
If I lose my job, no one else in Copper Creek will hire me. And I don’t have the money for flights down to the lower 48.
I’m officially fucked.
“Dex. I’m not firing you.” Uncle Rhodes gestures for me to sit, and I drop warily back into the chair. “I just need you to find somewhere else to live.”
My mind is going a hundred directions at once. Where the hell am I supposed to go? I can camp out in the woods, but I don’t have a stove or anything like that, and I don’t think I can afford to get set up properly. Besides, that would only work until the end of summer. I could always try for a rental, but that would mean persuading Uncle Rhodes to start paying me sooner, and I’m not about to bring that up when he just mentioned me getting kicked off the crew a minute ago. Maybe I need to leave Copper Creek. I could try to get a job on one of the cruise ships that’s always docking here in summer and find my way somewhere else.
The idea of leaving Copper Creek makes my stomach twist. There’s a reason I came back after college. I got a taste of what the rest of the country is like and realized I genuinely do love it here. Even after my parents disowned me, this is home.
“Do you have any ideas, Dex? I don’t want you out on the street, but—”
“What about the cabin?”
Uncle Rhodes gives me a funny look. “Last I knew, you still hadn’t won that little game with Korren. I thought one of you would’ve quit by now.”
“We’re not gay!” I say for what feels like the hundredth time. “We’ve just been busy with work, so we haven’t done any serious dares yet.”
