Free Omorphi by C. Kennedy

him a dubious look.
    “My parents are only a little, well, right now they’re a lot weird, but we can handle it.”
    Christy thought for a moment before scribbling again.
    Michael smiled. “I told you, I’ve never had one to bring home. Have you ever had a boyfriend?”
    Christy’s face darkened, and he nodded slowly, his gaze distant once again. After a moment he slowly wrote Older. Rough with me. Bad .
    Michael noticed that Christy’s writing was smaller, tighter when he wrote about something that bothered him. “Sorry to hear that.”
    Christy shrugged a shoulder and scribbled Out?
    “Only Jake and my parents know.”
    Another quick scribble. Out okay?
    Now there was the question of all questions. Michael had never had a reason to consider it seriously. “I take it that out is okay with you?”
    Christy scribbled If you keep me .
    Michael raised a hand to stroke Christy’s thick mane, then decided against it. “You’re not a possession to be kept or discarded.”
    Christy’s eyes filled with uncertainty again.
    “Are you saying you don’t want to be out unless we’re together?”
    Christy nodded and scribbled Safer .
    Michael nodded in understanding. He could think of a few people who’d be jerks about it, including Jason Whitman. “How about if we keep it low-key at school?”
    Christy frowned and scribbled Not together?
    “Are you asking if we can hang together at school even though we’re not out at school?”
    Christy nodded.
    “Heck, yeah. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    Now Christy’s eyes sparkled, happy again.
    Michael dialed his mom and put the phone to his ear. “Hey…. What time are you going to be home…? I’m bringing someone home with me…. No, not Jake, and you can’t be weird….” Michael grinned at his mom’s teasing. “Christy… Castle… nineteen.” He turned to Christy. “Do you want to stay for dinner?”
    Christy half nodded, half shrugged.
    “Yeah, he’ll stay. One more thing. He can’t speak…. I’m serious…. He has a neck injury… don’t know… yeah… okay. See you later.” He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Sorry, I don’t usually get the third degree, but I guess it’s to be expected.”
    Christy smiled wide.
    “What?”
    Christy shook his head and withdrew his cell. He sent a text message and received one back immediately. He handed the phone to Michael. Michael read it and quickly entered his name, phone number, address, and said he’d have Christy home by ten. He smiled to himself as he added Thanks, Mom and handed the phone back to Christy.
    Christy hissed, erased Mom and typed Rob, and sent the message.
    Michael stood and dropped ten dollars on the table for their shakes and a tip. Christy mouthed, “Thanks.” Michael slung his backpack over a shoulder and held a hand out to Christy. “You’re welcome.”
    Christy beamed as he exited the booth and took Michael’s hand.
    Michael waved. “Later, Hank.”
    “Take care of your man, there, Mike. Looks like you found a keeper.”
    A keeper . A boyfriend . He swelled with giddy pride. If things kept going this way, he was going to be part of an honest-to-goodness couple . “Will do, Hank. See you later.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
    M ICHAEL took Christy’s backpack and set it on the table in the foyer next to his own. They had a basic three-bedroom, middle-class home with a pool. Nothing special, but he knew how awkward he felt when he didn’t know his way around someone’s house, so he gave Christy a quick tour. Last on the tour was their den. He went to the iPod in its docking station and hit play. Snow Patrol’s “Run” played softly in the background as he dropped onto the couch and patted the seat next to him.
    Christy eyed Michael for a long moment, uncertainty in his eyes again. Michael slid to the end of the couch and reached over to pat the now faraway spot again.
    Christy remained standing for another long moment before taking a seat in the faraway spot. A