Page 105 of Refraction

“Mine? Oh, how sweet.” He loved that series. Like, really loved it. “Thank you, tiger. Can I take one back to New York with me? Or is that weird to break them up?”

He’d make Tucker put some shorts on at least. But now he had a better idea of what he was going to wear. He was going to be himself. Marge said she liked him better that way too. If it was good enough for Marge, it was more than good enough for Tucker’s unsupportive parents.

“You can do what you want. They’re yours.” Tucker followed him to the bedroom, tugging on a paint-spattered pair of baggy shorts and a Britney Spears T-shirt. Looked like Tucker knew exactly what he wanted to wear too.

He pulled on pair of white shorts that were covered in polka dots of every color and a loose hot pink tank top. Then he spent some time spiking his hair in a fauxhawk and put on dark mascara, a thin line of eyeliner, and some glittery pink eye shadow. It felt great to play again, reinvent himself. When he was done, he gave himself a smile in the mirror. He hadn’t seen that guy in a while. He’d missed him.

He ought to make an impression.

“Okay, Britney. How do I look?”

Tucker looked him over, seriously, carefully. “I like the way that makes your eyes shine. Does it feel funny? The glitter?”

“It’s a little heavy, but that gives me bedroom eyes, don’t you think? It’s one of my favorites.” He’d thought about the matching glitter lipstick too, but it kind of melted in hot weather, and that would just be messy.

“I think I’d look silly in it, but you look edible.” Tucker stroked his belly, fingers knowing just where to touch.

“You would look silly in it. Although some eyeliner might be hot. Mmm.” Calvin went up on his toes and begged a kiss.

Tucker leaned down and gave it to him, easy as anything. Oh, that was good, the way Tucker appreciated him.

He let the kiss end, let that moment ground them both a little before speaking. “Tucker. They’re not going to like me. And that’s okay. You know what I’m saying? I don’t need them to.”

“I give no shits about whether they like you or not. This isn’t their life. I’m not crazy, Calvin, not like they think. I have my demons, but… you get me. You see it and you aren’t scared.”

He hated that all of this was happening this way. That he and Tucker didn’t have time to talk it through first and get on the same page. That tension and conflict was coming into this house. He hated it. “You’re not crazy. There’s nothing to be scared of. You’re beautiful. You’re mine. They can think whatever they like.”

“Okay. I’m proud to stand with you.” Tucker kissed him again. “I just want them to go and let me get the basics down for the new paintings so we can get in the pool together.”

“Good. So we’ll say hello, and then we’ll tell them you’re busy. You need to work. Give us more notice next time. Right? They don’t have to stay more than five minutes. All they want to do is meet me.” They could shake his hand, make their judgments, and get lost. They weren’t his parents, but he felt perfectly justified in telling them to go home.

“Tuck? Tuck, where are you, honey? Your dad and I are worried.”

“Note that they weren’t worried until I texted them that I had my lover here with me.” Tucker rolled his eyes. “Coming, Momma.”

“Jesus, they don’t knock?” He followed Tucker, right behind him as Tucker pulled him along by the hand.Breathe. They won’t be the first people to think you’re a nutjob.It wasn’t about him as far as he was concerned. He was all about his tiger.

“I know, right? I need to take their gate remote.” Tucker kept him close, and then they were face-to-face with a tiny, pink crew cut, purple-lipstick lady with pursed lips and bright orange cat’s-eye glasses.

Wow.

“Son. I—” Her bright blue eyes were Tucker’s all the way, and they went wide. “Well, I’ll be goddamned. Hey. You’re real. Don. Look. Tucker’s friend is real.”

“Lover, Momma. He’s my lover.”

“There’s no making me up.” Calvin hugged Tucker’s arm and struck a little pose. He sure wasn’t shaking hands if they didn’t offer first. And how could a woman with pink hair and orange glasses think Tucker was the crazy one?

“Wow. Hi. I’m Alice.”

Tucker’s dad walked over, the man proving that was where Tucker got his solid build, his strength. “I’m Donnie. Pleased.”

He saw Donnie’s eyes go wide at the sight of his eye shadow.

“Hello, Alice. Donnie.” Tucker’s dad was handsome. He gave the man a smile. “I’m Calvin.” He definitely saw the genetics, and Donnie had a presence about him that reminded him a bit of Tucker, but he wasn’t getting the personality vibe from either of them.

Donnie held out one hand, shook with him, and it wasn’t too hard or forceful. Just a handshake.

Alice didn’t shake his hand. She was wandering around the house, looking at the paintings. “Where did the rest go? Did you send them to Marge? These are different than your normal. Have you decided to move on from the horror shtick?”

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