Page 131 of Releasing 10
DEAL OR NO DEAL
Hugh
NOVEMBER 2, 1998
“COME ON, HUGHIE,” FEELY LEANED OVER OUR SHARED DESK AND WHISPERED ONMonday morning. “You can’t honestly still be mad about the Lizzie thing.”
“Oh, you better believe I am,” I hissed back, roughly digging him in the side with my elbow. “Now fuck off back to your own side of the desk.”
“Fine,” he spat back, returning my elbow with an equally painful one of his own. “Go right ahead and sulk about it.” Shaking his head, he retreated to his side of the desk but continued to scowl at me. “But you’re pissed about nothing because I asked her months ago and she—”
“That makes it evenworse,” I interrupted, attention flicking between our teacher with his back to us and my traitorous friend. “Now, stop talking to me.”
“No.”
“Fine. Stop looking at me.”
“No.”
I narrowed my eyes in warning. “Feely—”
“She said no, Hugh,” he continued to say in a hushed whisper. “Lizzie doesn’t like me, lad. Not like that, so I don’t know why you’re so upset.”
“I’m upset because you should havetoldme,” I seethed. “Because you went behind my back.”
“Why should I?” he demanded right back. “She’s not your girlfriend.” Narrowing his eyes, he tossed out, “Because you’re too chicken to ask her.”
“Who’s a chicken?” Gibsie asked, turning around from the desk in front of us to join the fray.
“Hughie,” Feely replied. “He’s pissed off because I had the balls to ask Lizzie to be my girlfriend and he doesn’t.”
“No,” I corrected hotly. “I’m pissed off with you because you did it behind my back.”
“I didn’t realize I needed your permission, Hugh.”
“It’s basic manners, Patrick.”
“Well, I’m telling you now.”
“Yeah,” I snapped. “Four months after the event.”
Feely shrugged. “Better late than never.”
“Betterneverthan never, more like.”
“Oh, no, no, no.” Gibs tutted and shook his head in disapproval. “You shouldn’t have done that, Pa.”
“Why the hell not?” Feely demanded, looking outraged.
“Because Hugo Boss-man loves our little viper,” he replied solemnly, gray eyes wide and unblinking. “You know that.”
“Yeah, well, you might want to tellHugo Boss-manto stop being such a chicken,” Feely grumbled. “Besides, I asked Liz out because Ilikeher, not because I wanted to hurt him.”
“He’s not a chicken,” Gibs defended. “He’s a gentleman—at least, that’s what my mam says.”
“Thank you, Gibs,” I replied, feeling vindicated.
“Youwouldtake his side.” Feely rolled his eyes. “Especially since you’re obsessed with his sister.”
