Page 88 of Bend Him, Break Him
“What did you talk about?” Isaac asked.
“With Charlotte? There’s no talking. It’s just rehab, screaming, new hobbies she’ll never follow through on, and—”
“He means with the dean,” Colton hissed, clearly in no mood for his mother’s rant about his little sister.
“I merely wanted to ascertain why there was punishment doled out when he was a victim,” she said, giving Isaac a polite smile. “Then, of course, I needed assurance such incompetence wouldn’t be repeated now that he’s gone and protected you from that offish beast.”
Colton got quiet. He turned his attention to Isaac, sending a silent thank you. Not that Isaac needed the thanks, but he’d likely find himself receiving a thousand more from Colton in the days to come. It just meant he’d have to find ways to irritate Colton until he stopped being grateful, and they could resume their regular routine.
After they ordered their meals, Isaac checked his notifications to find a few new emails. One canceled his upcoming meeting with the dean. Another came with a message reinstating his TA application for the fall. A third came with a message from the housing department seeking his preference in the dorms. Isaac ground his teeth at that. He wouldn’t be living on campus anymore. Though he’d return to his old TA position if Professor Howard would have him. Once he’d skimmed through his emails, he put his phone away and gave Mrs. Lennox the smallest of smiles.
They all ate in silence for the first half of the meal until Colton couldn’t take it any longer. Isaac could tell by the antsy tap of his foot, the haggard angry breaths between bites of food, and the confrontational glare he’d shoot his mother for a second before returning to his dish. Isaac had seen that stare from Colton. It was his argument look. It meant he was having a mental argument in his head and preparing to unleash it upon the unsuspecting.
“Mom, I’m glad you’re here,” Colton said with an aggravated breath. “But why are you here? Why all of a sudden?”
“I’m done playing your father’s games,” she replied, gesturing with her hand for Colton to quiet himself, which he did almost immediately. “He would sooner see horrors far crueler than what almost happened to you before admitting defeat.”
Ah, yes. Isaac recalled Colton’s explanation about his family’s stance on his college choices. They all but iced him out, forcing him to carry on by himself.
“I’m late when it comes to a show of support,” Mrs. Lennox said, her voice quiet. “But I am here now, and I intend on making up for the lost time. Also, if you spent another year on academic probation, I think my head might implode. You’re far too bright to fail so many courses.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.”
“Isaac’s been helping me with the work.”
“Well, thank you, Isaac.” Mrs. Lennox smiled. “What about all those lost credits?”
“I’ll get there.”
“There’s always summer school.” Isaac shrugged.
“Tell me more.”
Colton glowered at Isaac, demanding he stop talking, but Mrs.Lennox’s inviting smile overruled her son, and Isaac found himself almost enjoying the family bickering as he went on to explain a schedule that could ensure Colton still graduated on time.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Thingshad been good with his mom, with the rest of the season, with his credits. Hell, with Isaac ready to advocate—well, threaten—on his behalf at the disciplinary panel, Colton believed he might very well end his academic probation once the school year concluded.
With finals mostly finished and classes wrapping up their last few sessions, Colton could finally breathe easily and relax. At least until he had to start up the summer sessions. He sighed at that, still perplexed how his mother and Isaac teamed up against him during lunch and bullied him into signing up for both sessions so he could catch up on his missing credits.
Whatever. He put that out of his head, dwelling less on the fact his boyfriend and mother ganged up on him and more on the fact his mother not only acknowledged Colton had aboyfriend, but she liked him. Isaac. The least likable person, by choice, in the whole world. Well, Colton’s world, at the very least.
“Are you finished getting ready?” Isaac poked his head into the room, scowl at the ready. “It’s the easiest costume to slip on.”
“It’s the skimpiest costume to slip on.” Colton scoffed as he slipped out of his boxers and into the tightest, tiniest, glitteriest gold short shorts in the world. That wasn’t an exaggeration. His balls were practically hanging out, and there was absolutely no way to downplay his bulge. “Why can’t I have a more discreet costume like you?”
Isaac had put some temporary black dye in his hair and wore a black trench coat that went down to his ankles, hiding him entirely. Not much of a costume. He’d finally gotten the sling removed, but his bulky cast caused the sleeve of his coat to bunch up.
“You’re the only one who can rock the Rocky look.”
“I don’t remember Rocky ever wearing this in the ring.”
“Ew, not the boxing movie.”
“Movies,” Colton corrected, adding them to a mental list of flicks he’d make Isaac watch, especially since Isaac was dragging him to go watchThe Rocky Horror Picture Show. “I just don’t see why we all have to dress up.”
“Because it’s blasphemy to attend undressed,” Isaac retorted. “Just be glad we’re not going to a live show. They devour virgins.”
