Page 171 of Still Bruised
Slowly, those on the dance floor stopped to look, as well—a few straining their necks to see.
The music and lights continued. The DJ danced on the stage before looking up, confused why everyone had stopped dancing.
“Our table’s on the left side, near the stage,” Cary said. “We’ve got it all to ourselves.”
The six of them walked through the crowd together. A few people said hello to Foster as they passed, but it was only a small handful. No one said a word to Jude. They simply stared, wide-eyed.
Most looked as guilty as they should’ve felt.
After they found their seats, Foster scanned the room and saw the bar. He leaned over to Jude. “I’m going to get us something to drink. Any requests?”
“Whatever’s the hardest. And keep them coming,” Jude said.
“I’m afraid it’s a dry reunion,” Cary said. “Sodas and water only.”
“Who’s bad idea was that?” Jude asked.
“You can’t have alcohol on school grounds,” Roan said.
“What’re they going to do? Expel us?” Jude asked.
“Arrest you,” Roan replied.
Cary reached into his jacket. He brought out a hint of a flask. “Don’t worry. I came prepared.”
“Thankfully someone did,” Jude said. He lifted his gaze to Foster. “A soda, please.”
Foster took orders for the rest of the table before marching across the room to the bar. He searched the faces he passed, seeing a little less guilt and a lot more curiosity. Once at the bar, he got in line.
“So, Foster…?”
Foster looked over his shoulder and found two guys he’d been on the football team with—Mario and Jeff.
“You gay now?” Jeff asked.
Foster lifted his chin. “Yeah. You got a problem with that?”
“No, no…” Mario said. “Just never expected you’d be one of them.”
“One of them?”Foster asked.
Jeff flicked his hand down, bending his wrist.
Foster rolled his eyes and faced forward. “Nice talking with ya,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
“But hey. I heard a rumor it was Rick’s dick Jude was sucking under the bleachers,” Mario said.
Foster spun to glare at them. “It was not. It was Jude and I, in the locker room, kissing. That’s all.”
Both men frowned.
“Well, after what we heard, we figured Rick was involved somehow and was trying to put it all on Jude to cover his ass,” Mario said.
“After you heard what?”
“About Rick getting arrested this morning,” Mario replied. “Haven’t you heard?”
“No,” Foster said. “What did he get arrested for this time?”
