Free Something Like Lightning by Jay Bell Page B

build though, and a friendly smile when he pumped Kelly’s hand.
    William seemed a little embarrassed. “Dad, this is Kelly. Kelly, this is my dad.”
    “Hey man, how’s it going?” Mr. Townson said. “What do you think of the car?”
    “Very sexy,” Kelly said. “Is it new?”
    “Just got it last week,” Mr. Townson grinned. “Not sure what the point is, because now I’m working overtime every night.”
    “Then you should let me have it,” William said.
    Mr. Townson feinted like he was boxing with his son and laughed. “Not a chance. You staying for dinner, Kelly?”
    “No, I better get home.”
    “Maybe next time.” Mr. Townson threw an arm around William’s shoulders and dragged him toward the house, in his wake a whiff of cologne that smelled more fruity than musky.
    Kelly watched them go for a second before he got in his car. William’s parents seemed really nice. Not at all starchy or conservative. If William was gay, why would he worry about his parents not accepting him? Or maybe that’s not what he was trying to tell Kelly at all. Either way, he wouldn’t find out until after school tomorrow.
    “He’s gay,” Bonnie said firmly.
    When she noticed that Kelly still had his doubts, she crossed her arms and leaned against his car, despite it still being slick from the recent rain. After leaving William’s house, he had driven straight over to her place, sending only a quick text that simply read CALAMITY, their code word for a dramatic emergency. She had met him in the driveway so they could have privacy, because when it came to Bonnie’s sister, not only did the walls have ears, but the ceilings and floors did too.
    “He could just be questioning,” Kelly said.
    Bonnie smirked. “He needs to be answering, because it’s obvious. It reminds me of all those closeted celebrities who, when asked about their sexuality, respond with ‘I want to keep my personal life private.’ Straight people never say things like that. Or at least they have no problem admitting they like the opposite sex, even if they don’t want the world to know who they’re dating. So when someone gets all coy about their sexuality, it’s a total giveaway.”
    Kelly studied his shoes and nodded. “Yeah, probably. Unless he felt sorry for me and was trying to make me feel less alienated.”
    “No,” Bonnie said.
    “He is really nice. Ridiculously so.”
    “Maybe, but no. You said you felt like he wanted to talk about it. If he was pretending, what would there be to say?”
    Kelly raised his head, considered all the evidence once more, and finally gave in. “Okay. You’re right. He’s gay.”
    Bonnie peered at him. “Then why don’t you sound happier? From what you described, he sounds hot. I’d love to date some sexy swimmer chick.”
    “Finding a pretty face has never been the issue,” Kelly said. “If that’s all I wanted, I would have shacked up with someone in group by now. I need a guy I can connect with on a deeper level.”
    “Like Jared,” Bonnie said, her tones sympathetic.
    “Yes,” Kelly said. “Someone like that. Except reciprocated.”
    “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you to—”
    “No, you were right. The guy is a dick. It’s good I found out now instead of later. I just wish I could erase him from my mind because he’s in there way too deep.” Kelly pressed his back against the car, feeling water slowly soak into his shirt and chill his skin. “You’re right that I should be excited. William is hot. He’s sweet. He’s motivated. All things that I look for in a guy.”
    “Plus he’s got an awesome Transformers collection,” Bonnie said. Kelly snorted. “Right. I just feel like the timing is off. If I had met him before I really started falling for Jared. Or maybe a year from now when I’ll finally be over him—”
    “It won’t take that long,” Bonnie said. “Trust me. You just need to keep your distance from Jared and let William get