Chapter 3 Episode Three

Dillon stuffed the college acceptance papers into his desk drawer and locked it. He'd done it. He'd been accepted to Garman College in upstate New York. It was prestigious, private, and known for its policies protecting gay and lesbian students. It was also James Walker's school of choice. Even if--more like, when--his parents cut him off, he'd still be able to swing tuition, room, and board with student loans and the college fund his parents had made the mistake of putting solely in his name. Now that he was eighteen, the money was his. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough. It had to be.

He could get a part time job to pay for books and living expenses, but he had to be close to Jamie. Living a lie was just no longer an option.

He glanced at the clock. Half-past five. He really should think about getting ready if he was gonna pick Megan up at seven. He was just about to hop in the shower when the phone rang. He grabbed the cordless and said, "Yeah?"

"Great phone manners, Carver."

"Since when did you give a rat's ass about manners, Barnes? Aren't you the same guy who can belch the Star Spangled Banner in three octaves?"

"Hey, a guy's got to have a talent. There's more to Mr. Ashton Barnes the Third than the handsome, athletic specimen I present to the world. I believe in being well rounded."

"Uh, huh. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?" He and Ash were friends, but phone conversations were few and far between. He knew for sure something was up when Ash's voice dropped and all traces of the teasing tone he'd answered with disappeared.

"I heard some of the guys talking this afternoon at Hailey's. I stopped off to get a bite to eat after school and heard Rooster and some of the rest planning something for tonight."

Dillon's body went rigid. Rooster was Roy Carmichael, the biggest homophobe on campus. If he was involved, it couldn't be good. "What kind of something?"

"I'm not sure. They shut their traps when they realized I was listening, but I'm pretty sure I heard the word 'fag' mentioned more than once. My guess is they're pissed about the G.S.A. hosting that thing tonight and looking to stir up some trouble."

Dillon tapped his fingers on the back of the receiver. "Why did you call me? Why not Morgan or one of the teachers?"

He could hear Ash swallowing. "Because I know you and James Walker used to be tight. I thought you might know how to get in touch with him. I was afraid to do it myself. I don't want anyone to think. . ."

"You're afraid everyone will think you're gay if you get caught sticking up for a bunch of gay guys. Is that it?"

Ash went on the defensive. "Look, Dillon, I was trying to help. I should have known better than to come to you with this. I don't want to see anybody get hurt, but I could have guessed you wouldn't care. Everyone knows you ditched James the minute he came out. I'll handle it myself."

"Wait." Ash didn't hang up, so Dillon took that as his cue to continue. "I'm sorry, man. I'll handle it. You did the right thing by calling me. Thanks." There were only two things he could do, hang up, or change the subject. He went for the subject change. "So, you got a hot date tonight?"

"Yep. Chad and I are doubling with Blair Dees and Nina Ivan."

Dillon shook his head. The two easiest girls in school. He should have known, given Ash's reputation with the ladies. "Who gets who?"

Ash snorted. "Who cares? We're only going to be at that lame-ass dance long enough to put in an appearance, anyway. Then it's straight down to Pepper Road. You taking Megan?"

"Yep. I was on my way into the shower when you called."

"Hey, don't let me keep you. I had P.E. with you three years running. I know how nasty those pits of yours get. I'll catch you tonight. And Carver?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry for what I said. About you dropping James, I mean."

"Hey, the truth's the truth. You and me, we're good."

"Sweet. See you tonight."

Dillon disconnected and debated his next move. He could call Principal Morgan directly, or any one of a dozen teachers. But as president of the G.S.A., it was pretty much Jamie's call. He picked the phone back up and punched in the familiar numbers. Even after two years, his fingers wove an automatic pattern over the keys.

Jamie answered on the second ring, his voice rich and smooth. "Hello?"

Dillon's mind went blank. Hearing Jamie's voice did something to him. Jamie said hello twice more before Dillon was able to say, "James?"

"Yeah, this is James." A pause. "Dillon? Is that you?"

"Ah, yeah. Have you got a minute?"

The surprise Dillon had first heard turned to wariness. "Just one. What do you need?"

If only he knew what Dillon needed. But he couldn't tell him. Not yet. Instead, he said, "I just got a call from one of the guys at school. He seems to think there's gonna be some trouble at the dance tonight." He repeated what Ash had said, without giving away his identity.

When he was finished, Jamie said, "Why?"

"I don't know. I guess some guys just like to start trouble."

"That's not what I meant. I want to know why you're calling me with this."

"I told you, some guys are planning on starting trouble. I thought you'd want to know."

"Not to seem ungrateful, but since when do you care what happens to a bunch of queers?"

Damn. "Jamie, I--"

"Look, Dillon, I've gotta go. Thanks for the info. I'll pass it along." He hung up before Dillon could say another word.

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