Page 101 of The Way Home

“Wedon’tsay that word,” Halcombe snapped, making Natejump. The boy’s face fell, and Caleb’s heart clenched at his sad expression. “Go pack up your things. We’re leaving.”

Nate frowned at his cards. “But—”

“Now.”

The boy’s shoulders slumped, and Caleb wanted to reach forward and hug him. Make sure he knew that when he was older, he didn’t have to listen to his asshole father.

Instead, he watched as Nate trudged toward the bench, cards clutched in his hand. Caleb stood very still, torn between sadness for Nate and blinding anger for Jamie.

Once Nate was out of earshot, Halcombe turned back to Caleb. “What you do in your personal life, Mister Reed, is your own business,” he said icily. “But I don’t need you being a bad influence on my son.”

Caleb clenched his fists. “I don’t know what you mean, Coach Halcombe.”

Halcombe’s blue eyes flashed with anger. “It’s not appropriate to speak about what you do in the bedroom in front of my child.”

“I don’t recall saying a single word about my bedroom,” Caleb said evenly.

“Bringing yourpartner—”

“Last I checked,” Caleb interrupted, “having a partner wasn’t considered a bad influence. I will not hide Jamie because my sexuality makes you uncomfortable.”

Halcombe’s eyes flashed with anger.

“I treat Nate the same way I treat all the kids out here. With respect. And honesty.”

Halcombe’s eyes flicked over him once more, like he was doing a mental calculation, before he turned and stormed off.

“Ellie!” Jamie exclaimed,throwing both hands into the air. His drink sloshed dangerously.

Oops.

He’d had three glasses of something aggressively pink and was feelinggreat. “It’s your birthday!”

“I know, love!” Ellie laughed, cheeks flushed. One of her friends had put a tiara on her black hair that said,Almost thirty, take it easy on me.“I’m so happy you’re here!” Will hovered behind her, hands on her waist. Probably to keep her from toppling into the crowd on the packed dance floor. “Will, dance with me!”

Jamie grinned as she peeled Will’s hand from her waist and yanked him into the chaos. The man gave Jamie a look that said,Save me. Jamie shrugged.

There’s no avoiding that dance floor tonight, Willy Boy.

He sipped his pink drink and watched Ellie hop around while Will bobbed awkwardly from side to side. It was nice seeing Ellie like this. Loose and glowing instead of tightly wound. She seemed really happy with Will.

Jamie turned, swaying slightly, and found himself shoulder-to-shoulder with a very short blonde girl. “Those are nice earrings,” he told her earnestly. They were shaped like carrots.

“Thanks,” she said, touching one gingerly.

“I love carrots. Very underrated vegetables,” he explained, because it felt important. She blushed. “Oh—and I’mgay.I have a boyfriend,” he added quickly, just in case she was blushing for the wrong reasons. “Or fiancé. Or husband. I don’t know, but Idoknow that we have sex.” He shrugged and added, “Sometimes.”

Her blush deepened. Was he not being clear?“Oh,”she squeaked. “Okay. That’s… good.”

“It is great. Being gay.” Jamie fumbled for his phone, blinking at the screen until it stopped doubling. “Know what, I should tell Caleb I’m gay.” Pulling up Caleb’s contact, he realized that he missed him desperately. Caleb was super hot andsosweet to him. Boy, was he sweet.

Yeah, he probably needed to see him immediately, or he might die.

“Jamie!” He turned too fast and nearly lost his balance.

“Oh my gosh—Sally!”he said, splashing his pink drink down the front of his shirt. “Oh… bollocks.”

“This is brilliant, you’re bloody pissed!” Sally laughed, freckles standing out against her flushed cheeks. Her blue eyes glanced down at his shirt and back up. “I never see you drunk. This is amazing.” Her orange hair was thrown into a high ponytail, and she had put on makeup.