Page 39 of If the World Was Ending

“But you said dudes were good-looking and stuff before,” Colby said. There was a longing in his chest. He wanted to bond with Atlas over this so badly. He needed to feel less alone. “Do you remember? You told me?—"

“That means nothing,” Atlas interrupted tersely. “I’m not gay. But it’s fine if you are.”

Colby’s chest grew tight, and his mouth pressed into a flat line as he stared at his brother and fought—and lost—the urge to argue. “You know it’s not okay. Not for Dad. Maybe not even for Mom.”

Atlas took a long, deep, slow breath. He gave Colby a short nod. “But like, he would get over it. Eventually. Probably.”

“He wouldn’t,” Colby said, what he knew Atlas already knew. He also knew in his heart from that night on that his brother was as queer as he was, but was in denial. He wondered if one day either of them would be out. It was nice to know that if it happened, if he told anyone else this truth of his, that Atlas would have his back. Atlas asked him to play something, and Colby did. He went to bed that night feeling strangely okay.

But two nights later his father stormed into his room, pale-faced and shaking, holding up Colby’s iPad and asking why the fuck there were gay porn sites in his history. Colby had no excuse. No response. No idea why his father had his iPad. His parents were not controlling, helicopter types. All the boys had been lectured about the perils of things, but not monitored. They had freedom. Until now. For reasons Colby didn’t understand in that humiliating, visceral moment, Andy had his iPad and had looked through his browser history. And he was looking at Colby like he was some kind of invasive pest who’d infiltrated Andy’s house without permission. Like a termite.

Now Colby wasn’t just the sensitive, artist boy that nobody in his family understood. He was the queer boy that no one could accept. And it was Atlas’s fault. He’d “borrowed” Colby’s iPad that night, without permission, and he’d been caught looking at gay porn when his dad walked into their basement gym. Atlas immediately threw Colby under the bus. Acted like he’d stumbled upon the porn in the browser history, and of course Andy believed his favorite son. And after that night, Andy barely looked at Colby, hardly ever talked to him, and put parental locks on all the devices in the house, including the television. But did anyone actually talk about it? Hell, no.

Colby stepped out of the shower, towel snug around his waist, and found Hunter was already gone, the locker he’d used was open and empty. When Colby grabbed his phone from his locker, he found a text.

Hunter

Meet you out front.

Colby forgot about his dysfunctional family and dressed. Tying his damp hair back in a bun and shoving his feet into his untied sneakers, he headed out of the locker room. He turned the corner for the lobby and found Hunter talking to Leandra.

Chapter 13

They’ll look so cute in hair nets

Hunter and Leandra’s expressions were both dark, to say the least, and if Colby had had quicker reflexes, he would have ducked into the weight room before they saw him, but he didn’t. Leandra rolled her eyes at him. “Hey. Colby’s here. What a shock.”

“Hey Lee,” Colby said, knowing full well she hated people who shortened her name. He got personal satisfaction over the way it made her visibly bristle because she fucked over Hunter. Cheated on him! Who cheats on someone as hot, fragile, and yet as perfect as Hunter? The devil, that’s who.

She didn’t reply and instead turned back to Hunter. “I don’t know why you have to be like this.”

“Because you fucked another guy,” Hunter replied, his voice even and not loud, but not quiet. Leandra instantly shushed him.

“Please. You’re not that broken up about it,” Leandra scoffed and put her hands on her spandex-covered hips. “We both knew we were over. Deep down I know you’re relieved.”

“Wow,” Hunter hissed out. “If this is how you think you get me to give you the deposit money, you’re doing it wrong.”

“I paid the whole fucking thing, Hunter,” Leandra complains.

“And when I leave, I’ll give it back to you.”

“Does Bob know about the homeless guy you let sleep in the parking stall?” Leandra glanced at Colby and gave him a scathing once-over.

“The van’s gone, Lee,” Colby added, and she glared at the use of Lee. Colby tried not to grin by biting the inside of his cheek.

“He’s moved in, and he’s paying the rent with me,” Hunter snapped. “Unlike you, he won’t bail.”

Leandra’s head reared back like she’d been slapped. Her eyes darted between the two men, and Colby got a weird feeling. She turned to Hunter. “Is he fucking you too, like I used to, or are you just using him for his money and not his?—”

“How much was the deposit, Lee?” Colby interrupted because he knew it wasn’t going to benefit Hunter, or anyone, to let that sentence be finished.

“First, last, and a security deposit was twenty-eight hundred total,” Leandra replied. “And it’s Leandra.”

“Okay, Lee, well, since you lived there the first month, I’ll pay you for the last month’s rent and the security deposit,” Colby said calmly as he came to stand next to Hunter. “So, text me your Venmo info. I know you probably still have my number. You’re that special kind of person who keeps all her contacts, even the ones she hates, in case she needs something someday.”

Leandra’s jaw dropped. The receptionist behind her tried to hide her smile behind her hand, which meant she was eavesdropping. She also had a look in her eye like she would high-five Colby if she could.

“Let’s go, Hunter.” Colby put a hand on his back and gave him a little push toward the door. After a stutter step, Hunter walked out.