Page 98 of String Boys

“We, uh, wanted to hide it. Because, you know….” He gave a brief smile. “Making out. Nobody tried to keep us apart to make out.”

Guthrie burst out laughing. “That’s… uh… frank.”

“Everybody knew. Nobody was surprised. I wasn’t going to go away to school so we could be together. Dad said he’d help us be together as best he could. That’s all.”

Guthrie expelled a slow, even breath. “I… I had a guy I liked a lot. But I couldn’t make myself introduce him to Pop. Pop can be pretty brutal. The guy left.”

“That sucks,” Seth told him. “Sorry.”

Another laugh, and Seth realized he could like Guthrie because he was like Kelly—there wasn’t pain that he couldn’t laugh at.

“Well, keep playing for us, okay?” Another slow, even breath. “You’re like the only person I can talk to who’s not trying to get a piece of ass.”

“It’s a decent ass,” Seth said, and Guthrie cracked up.

Seth was proud of himself for that, and settled down to let Guthrie ramble all the way back to Bridgford. When they pulled up, Seth pulled out his phone. “Can I take a picture?”

“Sure. Why?”

“So I can show Kelly. He thinks he’s the only one who gets tempted.”

Guthrie grinned, the expression making his own bruises rakish and devil-may-care. “So I’m a temptation?” he needled.

“No,” Seth told him. “But you could be.”

Guthrie laughed again. “You’re all right, Fiddler. But I better get out of here before these blue bloods rip apart my weenie white-trash ass.”

Seth got out of the truck and waved to him as he drove away.

I can’t wait to see you in three days. This is Guthrie—we performed together.

He sent the text and went inside, surprised when his phone buzzed, because Kelly was usually asleep this time of night.

Doing WHAT?

Playing music off-campus—why?

He looks beat up!

Rough crowd.

Ha ha. Are you okay?

Seth shrugged and texted,Yeah, fine. You’ll let me see everybody open their presents in two days, right?

Yeah, Seth. Your dad is coming too.

Good. Thanks for taking care of him for me.

He’s not exactly decrepit.

Yeah, but he’s lonely. Make sure he doesn’t go to bars. They’re terrible places.

Understood. He checks in every night—I think so we know he’s not.

Good.Seth yawned.Why aren’t you asleep?

Because I was thinking about you and wishing I had a room without a baby in it.