Page 4 of Pet Project

“It’s the last place your mother, grandfather, or aunt will look for you,” he whispers as he crushes me to his chest. “Your Uncle Robert lives in around there somewhere. I’m not sure if you remember him from back before your Me-maw passed away, but he’s a good man.”

My father pushes me to the entrance for security and pulls me into one final hug. After releasing me, he hands over a folder. In it is information for a new bank account containing enough money to cover my living expenses for a while. If I’m frugal and keep my scholarship, I think I can make it last for at least the next couple years.

“I will always love you, Tobias. No matter who you choose to share your soul with.”

My father’s words give me hope that this goodbye isn’t forever.

“I love you, Dad,” I whisper the name I could never say out loud in our home before turning toward the TSA agent and my escape to my future.

4

DONNIE

ONE YEAR AGO

“Can I get some ice? And maybe borrow some chairs? And maybe a towel? Or a bandage?”

The rapid-fire questions coming from the boy in front of me make my brain hurt. Is this kid even old enough to be enrolled here? Before I can answer any of them, an older student I somewhat recognize comes through the door, carrying a smaller unconscious man in his arms.

My mind goes back to that night at the Streaker house, when I failed to help another person in help.

“Do you have somewhere I can lay him down for a few minutes?” the guy asks me. I recognize him as one of the pumpkin spice hating regulars now. “Lucky has this thing with blood where he passes out. Toby here practically ran him over outside, and as you can see, he got a bit scraped up. He’ll be fine in a few minutes as long as I can get him cleaned up before he wakesup.”

The first man, Toby I’m guessing, stomps his foot like a toddler throwing a tantrum before turning to me with a radiant smile.

“Whatdya say, hot stuff? Got a place to lie down in the back?” he says with an exaggerated wiggle of his eyebrows.

Rolling my eyes, I stifle the snort that wants to come out. The last thing I need is for a barely legal freshie hitting on me. I wave them behind the counter and down the hallway to my office. Shortly after Walt handed the place over to me, I put in the futon. More often than not, I end up needing to sleep in there while doing the books. Bookkeeping is not my forte.

“Thanks for this, Hastings,” the taller guy says after settling Lucky on the couch. “He doesn’t do well with being a spectacle.”

Does this guy know me? I make sure I only go by my first name in the shop because of the notoriety of my full name in this area, especially among the universities. I guess my confusion shows on my face because the guy straightens up and pulls me aside.

“I was at the Streaker House party,” he says as I feel like the ground has disappeared from under me. “I’m good friends with Eric. I know what you tried to do for him, man. If you ever need anything…”

I wave away his offers and head back toward the front of the shop, nearly knocking over Toby who is doing a shit job of eavesdropping. Turning away, I head for the back door instead. Maybe I should just throw myself in the dumpster and save everyone the trouble.

The past is catching up to me, and I’m not too sure I’m ready for it.

5

SHILOH

SEPTEMBER

The bell jingling over the door makes me jump when I pull it open to enter the coffee shop on campus. Every little thing makes me jump since going to the pride event. Seeing Michael for the first time since he was arrested years ago freaked me the fuck out, but that was months ago. I stopped being the jumpy scaredy cat after finding my new family in Kink Manor.

Scaredy cat.

I chuckle at the unintentional pun that my brain conjured up as I join the queue to get some much needed caffeine. Usually, I can rely on Lucky to have a coffee ready for me since he drives us to campus on Tuesdays. But he sounded like he was about to lose a lung this morning with all the coughing. Spencer insisted he stay home and dropped me off here on the corner before racing back home to be with his boy. I hope it’s not too serious.

I get it. I really do. They truly are a meant to be kind of couple, just like Eric and Matt. I don’t think I’ll ever have that for myself. It doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for them, even if I’m jealous as hell. The closest I’ve ever come to that is what I have with Toby, but we would never work like that. I’ve had to console myself into being just best friends with him, even though I want more.

“What can I get you?”

Looking up, I’m surprised to find I’m at the front of the line. I didn’t even stop to think about what I want to drink today.

“Ummmm,” I try and do a quick read of the menu board while the people behind me start grumbling. I didn’t mean to make them wait longer. I only got lost in my head for a second.

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