Free The Geek and His Artist by Hope Ryan

muttered.
    Jimmy laughed, kissing him on the temple. “Don’t worry about him. He wouldn’t do anything like that to you. Carson’s had it coming for a while, that ass. He’s been bullying the three of us for years. Before he went off to the Catholic school he got kicked out of, he used to wait for us after school every day, so sure his muscle—and friends—were all he needed.”
    “Wow.” Any sympathy Simon had started to feel for Carson evaporated. “Still, don’t think I’d want to piss Ronnie off.”
    “Don’t hurt him and we’re good,” Ronnie said.
    Simon considered Ronnie for a long moment, then nodded. He had to admit he thought it was good that Jimmy had someone who’d care like that. Simon wished he did, but he pushed the thought away, not wanting to think like that. “I don’t intend to.” He turned and smiled at Jimmy, who looked a little stunned at Ronnie, then shook his head.
    “He won’t,” Jimmy murmured, then picked up his ham sandwich.

Chapter Five
     
     
    O N F RIDAY afternoon Jimmy stood off to the side near the front door, staring down at Simon. He brushed his fingers over one cheek. “You’re sure you’ll be okay?”
    Simon nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I told you, he forgets after a while, and he hasn’t gotten pissed all week. It’s cool. Besides, he gets paid today, I think. So he’ll probably be gone tomorrow.”
    Jimmy smiled. “You have my number, right? Is there a phone at the house?”
    “I have it. We have a basic landline. The Bastard put it in when Children, Youth and Families asked him why we didn’t have one.” He made a face. “Always so fucking careful,” he muttered.
    “Simon, you don’t—”
    “It’s okay. I’m fine.” He smiled. “Not much longer, remember? I’ll call you if I can get away, okay?”
    Jimmy took a deep breath and did his best to calm his annoyance. He didn’t understand why Simon wouldn’t go with him. His mom had sent a note every day with the lunch she packed for Simon, telling him he was welcome or to even just come for dinner. But so far he hadn’t been able to convince Simon to go. It frustrated the hell out of him. He wanted Simon out of that house so badly. He forced himself to smile. “Okay. I’ll miss you.”
    Simon’s smile widened into a full one. “I’ll—I’ll miss you too.” His cheeks turned red, and Jimmy couldn’t help but kiss them.
    “You’re adorable when you blush,” he murmured, making Simon’s red cheeks darken and Jimmy’s grin widened.
    “Not funny,” Simon grumbled.
    Jimmy chuckled. “I didn’t intend it to be.” He dropped another kiss on Simon’s forehead, then sighed. “I have to go. The buses are going to leave. Try to call? Even if you can’t get away.”
    Simon nodded. “I’ll try.”
    With one last long look, Jimmy headed for his bus. He tried to keep Simon in view, but as soon as Simon rounded the wall to head for the city bus, Jimmy forced himself to turn around and get on his own bus.
     
     
    “C OME ON , man, Sean’s at some weird Girl Scout thing for his sister. You gotta hang out with me,” Ronnie whined.
    “No fucking way. This is my first date with Simon, my first date ever . I am so not taking you with me,” Jimmy growled.
    “I don’t want to go on your date with you! I do not want to watch you two getting all mushy all night. Ugh.”
    “Well, then, what the fuck?” Jimmy glared at the phone, then focused again on the razor so he didn’t cut himself.
    “Can’t you go another day?”
    “You know it doesn’t work like that with him. He can get out, I’m going.”
    Ronnie sighed loud enough to be heard through the speakerphone. “Fine, be that way.”
    “Why don’t you finally grow a pair and ask Bailey out?” Jimmy suggested, rinsing his razor and patting his face dry before snatching up the Axe and spraying himself.
    “Dude, tell me that wasn’t Axe,” Ronnie said, dodging the question.
    “What? Why not?”
    “That shit stinks. And