Behind the Secrets (Behind the Lives #4) (23 page)

No. He couldn’t try Tiana’s suggestion,
because even if Dante was interested in him, L wasn’t interested in the drama
that went with the guy. His mind went to Kara, wondering whether he could try
her instead, especially since Dante was with Beth now. He wondered whether she
was still at the police station. Though, she was a bit rough ... but that was
because Dante wouldn’t stay with her. He’d seen his sister have much rougher
breakups than Dante and Kara.

Ash thrust a guitar at L. “Let’s jam.”

L’s thoughts about Kara disappeared, Ash
once again filling his mind.

18

Corey

Corey opened his eyes, having hardly
slept, his mind plagued by the argument with Sledge. He understood Sledge
couldn’t control what he said at times, but he didn’t have to insult or yell at
him, calling him nasty names when all Corey had done was try to get him to stop
talking. God! Sledge had been told enough times that his father was homophobic,
yet it was like talking to a brick wall, and a
really
thick one.

“I’m not a baby,” he grumbled under his
breath, imagining saying it to Sledge. “You’re just a big arsehole, who thinks
he’s always right.” He clenched his right hand and hit the mattress, then did
it again, getting his frustrations and anger out. “I’m not a baby,” he muttered
again. He rolled over and looked across at the cabinet mirror, seeing a sweet
face staring back at him. He scowled at his reflection, trying to look mean,
but all it did was make him look even cuter. He picked up a pillow and threw it
at the mirror, then turned over and buried his face into another one, wishing
he was tough-looking like Sledge, then
no one
would call him a baby.
Then again, if he did look tough, Sledge wouldn’t be interested in him.

He looked up at the mirror again, his
eyes focusing on his beanie, which he had a habit of wearing to bed. He lifted it
a fraction, wishing his hair would grow back quicker. He pulled the beanie down
further, happy at least the cancer was in remission, and even better, his
stomach had stopped hurting.

He poked his tongue out, imagining
poking it at Sledge. “You’re the arsehole, not me.” He screwed up his face, knowing
it wasn’t entirely true, because he’d been a jerk back to Sledge. He hated
fighting with him. He also hated pretending that they were just friends, all
because his father couldn’t handle two guys loving each other. It wasn’t fair
that his father had accepted Beth’s pregnancy to a man-whore, but wouldn’t accept
his relationship with Sledge. He’d listened into Beth and his father’s conversation,
hearing his father accept Beth’s engagement to an ex-drug dealer, someone who’d
fucked half the female population, yet Hell would freeze over before his dad
ever accepted him being with Sledge. He should’ve yelled at his father instead
of Sledge, telling him there was nothing wrong with one guy calling another hot,
that it was a compliment, and that his father could take a flying leap with all
the other homophobes.

Corey flopped back onto his bed, now
even more upset, since this wasn’t Sledge’s fault, it was his father’s. Yet,
he’d yelled at Sledge, telling him to shut up, when all Sledge had done was be
honest. Now Sledge was upset, which upset Corey even more, because of all the
people he shouldn’t be arguing with, it was with the guy who’d saved his damn
life, the one person he loved more than anyone in the world.

Knowing he had to make things right, he
sat up again and swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling a twinge of
pain in his damaged ankle. He ignored it and slipped on his moon boot, then grabbed
his crutches, intent on apologising to Sledge.

His phone went off on the side cabinet.
He grabbed it and placed it to his ear. “Hello?”

“Hello back,” Ant said, his gruff voice
making Corey go stiff. “I missed you, baby boy.”

“I’m
not
your baby boy, you
arsehole.”

Ant laughed. “I really love talking to
you; you have the cutest tongue. It sounds funny when you swear.”

“Don’t patronise me, and stop callin’ me.”
Corey hung up, his hand shaking like crazy. He wanted to tell his mother about
Ant’s harassment, but knew she’d go to the police, which he couldn’t allow,
since Ant would hurt her if he found out.

His phone went off again. Corey stared
at it, his heart pounding. He let it go to voicemail, then picked it up to
check what Ant had said. No message was left, the number untraceable, nothing
to prove Ant was harassing him. The phone went off again, making Corey cry out,
upset that the creep wouldn’t leave him the hell alone. He hated Ant with a burning
passion, absolutely despised him, but he knew he couldn’t keep ignoring the
psycho—not if he wanted to keep his family and Sledge safe, Ant having
threatened to put hits on them.

Almost in tears, he answered the phone.
“Why can’t you stop harassing me? I promised not to testify against you. Why
can’t you just leave me the fuck alone?”

“I can never leave you alone, cutie pie,
and you may be doing what I asked, but I hear from a very good source that your
sister is speaking to the police. I told you what would happen if any of your
family spoke to them.”

Corey shook his head vigorously. “She
didn’t mean any harm by it, and her testimony won’t do a thing, it’s only mine
you hafta worry ’bout, and you know I won’t take the stand.”

“Because I will have someone you love
killed if you do.”

“I know, you don’t hafta keep reminding
me.”

“Just make your sister stop talking to
the police.”

“She won’t listen to me, and if I tell
her why, she’ll panic.”

“Unless you want to go to her funeral,
make her listen.”

“You promised you wouldn’t hurt anyone
if I didn’t take the stand. You promised!”

“I’ve been known to break my promises.”

“She can’t do anything to you; you know
it’s only my testimony that can. Why can’t you just leave us alone? You caused
all of this mess.”

“I didn’t, you did by going against me.”

“I wuz never with you! You’re
delusional. I love my boyfriend, who you hurt. I hate you; I hate you so much—”

“Watch your tongue!”

Corey went silent, fear now coursing
through him – fear for Sledge, for his sister, for everyone he loved. “I’m
sorry, please don’t do anything.”

“I won’t ... as long as you make sure
there are
no more
police visits. This is your last warning, Corey.”

“I’ll make sure, I promise.”

“Good boy. By the way, I’m very bored and
lonely in my big house. I miss seeing your cute face and
gorgeous wee body.”

“Please, just leave me alone,” Corey
sobbed.

“No. Entertain me, cutie.”

“I can’t.”

“You can. What are you wearing?”

“Clothes, and I hafta go, I can hear my
mum calling.”

“I think you’re lying. Take your clothes
off.”

“No.”

“I get nasty when I’m told no, so don’t
say it again.”

“But you can’t see me.”

“I can imagine, plus I have some of
those naked pictures you let me take of you.”

“I didn’t let you! You drugged me.”

“And now I’m blackmailing you, so strip,
Corey, and give me every little detail.” He laughed. “I was referring to your
cock then.”

Corey wiped his cheeks, tears now
spilling over them. “You’re cruel.”

“I can be even crueller if you don’t start
stripping.”

Corey sniffled. “I’m pushing my pants
down,” he lied, wiping his nose.

“And your underwear, pull them off too.”

“Yes,” Corey said, again lying.

“Are they off yet?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, put the phone down and remove
your top.”

Corey put the phone down and grabbed a
tissue, blowing his nose. He breathed in and out, trying to get his crying
under control, as well as his shaking hands. He hated Ant more than anyone in
the world, but he hated himself even more for talking to him, no matter whether
he had a choice or not. All he wanted to do was to shoot the bastard for
hurting Sledge, but he had to play along with Ant’s sick fantasies or Sledge would
suffer again.

He picked up the phone. “Done.”

“So, are you completely naked?”

“Yes,” Corey said, wrapping his left arm
around his body, his hoodie big on him.

“Touch your cock.”

“I’m doing it,” Corey said, his hands
nowhere near his lower half.

“Turn onto your front. I want to imagine
fucking your sweet arse.”

“Please, I wanna stop,” Corey said,
feeling repulsed.

“Do as you’re told!”

“Okay.”

“Good boy. Now, spread your legs.”

“Done.”

“Mmmm, I’m imagining your sweet arse, so
pink and smooth. I can’t wait till I’m out so I can actually be there with you,
taking you hard and fast, making you scream my name as I fuck your cute little
hole.”

Corey squeezed his eyes shut, willing
the psycho to hang up. A knock made him jolt.

“Corey!” his mother called out. “Can I
come in, sweetheart?”

“My mother’s at the door,” he whispered into
the phone, “I hafta go.”

“She does have a loud voice. Okay, baby boy,
I’ll call you another time.
Actually
, I’ll Skype you tomorrow night so I
can see you strip.” Ant hung up.

“Corey?” his mother called out again.

“Just a sec, Mum.” He wiped his eyes.
“You can come in now.”

The door cracked open, his mother poking
her head through the opening. Her face fell a second later. “Oh, baby!” She
rushed over and sat down next to him, pulling him into her arms. “Don’t cry,
sweetie, Sledge didn’t mean to get mad at you. He’s upset too.”

Corey pulled back, again wishing he
could tell his mother about Ant’s calls. “Is he all right?” he asked instead.

“He was really upset last night. He was
crying and—”

Corey’s face dropped. “He cried?”

“Yes. He didn’t take you being mad at
him too well. You have to realise he doesn’t understand things like he used to.
I know you had to get him to stop talking because of your father, but please do
it in a way that doesn’t shatter Sledge.”

“What do you mean by shatter?”

“He got himself so worked up that I had
to give him some medication. I checked on him later on in the night and he wuz
hitting his head, calling himself a waste of space. He told me he wished the
bullet had killed him instead of leaving him handicapped. He used another word
for handicapped, but I won’t repeat it.”

“Why would he say that?” Corey said,
shocked by her words.

“He thinks you hate him.”

“But I don’t! I love him.”

“I know that and I tried to explain it
to him, but he was too upset to take it in.”

Wanting to go to Sledge, he grabbed his
crutches and pushed up.

His mother rose with him. “I have to go
now, work’s called me in.” She kissed the top of his head. “Just remember, be
careful with how you speak to Sledge, and whatever you do don’t upset him
again. Your father’s gone to work so at least you don’t have to worry about him
overhearing.”

Corey nodded.

“Good boy, and if there’s any trouble,
call me, I’ll come straight home.”

“Thanks, Mum.”

“You’re welcome.” She gave him another
kiss on the head, then disappeared out the door, yelling loudly, “Take care of
my future son-in-law.”

Corey smiled at her comment, wishing he
could marry Sledge. He wanted to more than anything in the world, and for his
mother to say those words—it made him feel like it was possible.

He headed out into the passage, zeroing
in on Beth’s old room, the door closed. He turned the handle and peeked inside,
finding Sledge lying on his side, facing the wall. Corey remained in the
doorway, wondering whether he should wait until Sledge woke up.

 Sledge rolled over, looking wide awake.
“Are you gonna stand there and stare at me all day or sit down?”

“I’m sorry ’bout last night,” Corey
said, remaining where he was.

Grimacing, Sledge turned to face the
wall again.

Corey stepped inside the room. “Don’t
ignore me, Sledge, I said I wuz sorry.”

“You yelled at me when all I did wuz
call you hot.”

“I panicked. I thought you were gonna
give us away to my dad. You shouldn’t say stuff like that in front of him.”

Sledge turned back around. “Not my fault
you’re hot.”

“You really think I’m hot?”

“Obviously, otherwise I wouldn’t want to
dick you.”

A smile pulled at Corey’s lips. “I think
you’re hot too, no, I think you’re hot as hell.”

Sledge smiled back. “You’re forgiven.
Just don’t call me an arsehole again.”

“You called me one too.”

“You deserved it.”

“No I didn’t!”

Sledge turned back to the wall.

“Hey! Don’t ignore me.”

“I’m sick of you yelling at me, so piss
off if that’s all you’re gonna do.”

Corey grimaced. “I’m sorry.”

“Mean it.”

“I do.”

Sledge turned back. “Then c’mere.”

“Why?” Corey said now nervous, Sledge’s
tone a touch mean. “What are you gonna do?”