Page 25 of Lust

“So I gota bunch of Campbell’s Chicken and Wild Rice because I know that’s your favorite. And then I got some frozen pizzas…” Seth goes through the groceries we picked up at the store as he puts stuff away in the kitchenette cabinets. Most of the dorms don’t have this luxury, but for the really wealthy kids like Seth and Cody, whose parents are willing to fork over money, or even better, donations to the school, they get the Delta One St. Lawrence experience.

As I sit on the edge of his bed, Cody grabs the remote and turns down theVanderpump Rulesepisode he’s watching. For the first time in a few days, his cheeks have some color in them again, and he can keep his eyes open, but he’s got this glazed-over look in them.

After Luke’s freak-out in the showers, Seth and I hurried over to the church to check on Cody. We found him lying still, both of us fearing the worst when we saw his unconscious body. He finally stirred, and once he recovered, he said he was just fatigued but too tired to get up, so Seth carried him back to the dorms. Since then, Seth has been diligent in his care of Cody, more so than usual.

“How you holding up, buddy?” I ask.

“Like I need to get off my ass and turn in some assignments so I’m not behind when I go back to class next week.”

“Are you sure you’re gonna be good by then?” Seth asks.

“I can get through it.”

“How about we play it by ear?” Seth says. “You want me to throw some soup in the microwave? Or maybe just a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?”

Cody groans. “I wish you wouldn’t go to all this trouble over me.”

“You love when I go to the trouble.”

Cody smirks. “In that case, Cinnamon Toast Crunch would be great.”

Seth beams like knowing there’s something he can do to cheer Cody up has made his day. He pours cereal into a bowl and joins us, plopping down on the opposite side of Cody’s bed and passing Cody his dry-cereal snack.

“Thank you, Seth.” Cody tosses a few crunches into his mouth, chews and swallows, then glances between Seth and me. “Okay, now that I’m feeling better, I’m ready to hear how it went.”

Cody had asked about our meeting right after our chat with Luke, but he was still so depleted, Seth insisted we wait a few days, at least until he was coherent enough to hold a conversation. Now seems like the time, but considering how it went, neither of us is eager to share.

And unlike Seth, I don’t blame Luke for his reaction.

Despite our pleasant conversation on our way back to the dorms, Luke hasn’t talked to me since. Every time I’ve run into him, he’s distant, distracted. But even worse, he doesn’t look well, and I know it’s because of the time we’ve spent apart. It’s like I can feel his acute pain and want to comfort him. But I don’t want to push when he clearly doesn’t want to speak to me.

At least, not yet.

Seth and I tell Cody about the meeting at the old church, and when we’re finished, Cody says, “I want to talk to him.”

“You’re not doing that,” Seth says through his teeth.

“You’re not the boss of me.” It’s the first time Cody’s sounded like he has his strength back. “And just because this stuff hits me hard doesn’t mean I’m this frail thing, so back off.”

I know Cody appreciates the care Seth takes with him, but Cody never hesitates to let him know when he’s overstepping.

Seth’s jaw clenches.

“I can show him,” Cody says, “like I did with you guys. If he sees, and really feels it the way we did, he’ll have a harder time denying it.”

Seth shakes his head. “Codes, he said he can’t control his powers. He admitted what happened was an accident. What if you try to show him and he resists, and you end up in the fucking ER?”

“Seth has a point,” I admit.

“Don’t either of you forget why we’re doing this,” Cody says. “It isn’t about me or us. I know you think you’re protecting me, but if I don’t do this and people die, I have blood on my hands. And so do both of you.”

“Codes also has a point,” I say.

“He’s a loose cannon,” Seth insists. “And he clearly doesn’t give a shit about who he’s gonna hurt.”

I’m not letting that slide. “That’s not fair. If we didn’t already have a year of experience with the stuff we encountered, do you really think you’d take everything we said at face value?”

“He’s seen what we can do. And what he can do. What more does he need?”

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