Page 70

A complete lie, all his dad left him was debt.

“Okay, fine, but what about the suit?”

“Jesus, Marlon,” Jett said.

“I’m just saying, that’s thousands of pounds worth of suit right there, and he’s saying he can’t afford to give to charity.”

“The suit’s faulty.”

“What? How?”

Double shit.

“The inside pockets are sewed together. I got it cheaper, discounted price from the shop owner. We go way back, and I used to protect him from bullies in the playground. He’s a good guy, but sensitive. Bad people seem to swarm around him.”

Aaron was certain he was going to hell.

“So what, you feel like he owed you?”

“No, he offered the suit at a discount. It was that or throw it away, and the work that went into the suit … well, throwing it away would’ve been a waste.”

“Well it looks very good on you, doesn’t it, Jett?” Mary-Sue said, and Jett nodded beside her. A blush on his cheeks. His eyes darted, and he laughed softly.

“So sadly, Marlon, I don’t have money to spare like some.”

Well that was a lie…

“But I think what I do instead, does more good for the dogs.”

Jett tilted his head, eyeing Aaron. “What do you do?”

“I don’t want to go on about it. That’s not what it’s about, not why I do it.”

Marlon jutted his chin out. “No, come on, let’s hear it.”

Aaron raised his hand. “I’m not one to brag—”

“Tell me.”

Marlon’s cool composure had cracked completely. He still wore his easy smile, but Aaron was close enough to see the anger swirling in his eyes. Someone was out-“gooding” him, and he couldn’t stand it.

“It’s no big deal, but sometimes I go to the shelters. I play with the dogs, take them for walks, show them some love, that kinda thing.”

“Really?” Jett said.

No.

“Oh yeah, they’re so grateful to have some company, some fuss, you could build them the biggest pens, the nicest yards, but all they really want is some company, some companionship.”

“I would do that if I had more time—”

“I make time. If it’s one walk a week, then I know I’ve done good for that dog. There’s this one dog, little Parry, one leg, his tail wags so fast when he sees me, he loses balance, falls over.”

Aaron got an aww; he actually got an aww. He was definitely going to hell for this alone, let alone the other stuff he’d done.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Sweet little Parry.”

“If you like him so much, why not adopt him?” Marlon mumbled.