Behind The Tears Part 15

"Are you related to the Ratas?" Corey asked Tag.

Tag's face dropped. He put a finger to his mouth as boots stomped down the pa.s.sage.

The skinhead appeared in the doorway. "Who said the name Rata?!"

"No one, Mr. Jones. What's-a-face..." Tag indicated towards Corey, "...called me a farter."

The other guys started sn.i.g.g.e.ring. The skinhead's gaze zeroed in on Corey. Corey sank into the chair wishing it was quicksand. Man, the guy was a scary b.a.s.t.a.r.d, fugly as too; his busted-up nose and chipped teeth perfect for a mug shot.

"You're a li'l smart-mouthed t.w.a.t, aren't cha?" the skinhead said, glaring at Corey.

"No, sir, he just made a loud fart."

The guys sn.i.g.g.e.red again. Kirstin's uncle extended a finger at Corey. "Keep your pie-hole shut, boy. I don't wanna hear s.h.i.t from you again, not even a squeak outta your a.r.s.e or I'll jam your head up it. Understand?"

Corey nodded vigorously.

The man's attention shifted back to Tag. "Have ya seen my wife? The b.i.t.c.h didn't pick me up from the airport."

Tag shook his head.

"What about Len?"

"Haven't seen him either."

The skinhead let out a loud grunt. "I want the stuff Ash Rata was s'posed to drop off."

"I know him," Naf said, totally oblivious to the situation as he continued to play the game. He let out a loud yelp. "Why the h.e.l.l didja kick me?" he said, glaring at the fat boy next to him.

"How'd ja know Ash Rata?" the skinhead asked, heading for Naf.

Rubbing his leg, Naf glanced up, then dropped the PS3 controller. "Ahhh... I-I j-just heard 'bout him. He's a drug dealer," he said, looking like he was going to p.i.s.s himself.

The skinhead sneered. "Yeah, and an a.r.s.ehole too, but not as much as his brother. f.u.c.k, I hate Dante. I'd love to kill that greasy Eyetie p.r.i.c.k." He waved a hand in the air. "Anyway, you kids play whatever, I'm off to bed, got b.l.o.o.d.y jetlag." He turned and disappeared down the pa.s.sage.

Tag got up and closed the pa.s.sage door, then sat down on the armrest next to Naf. "The Ratas are mine and Mick's cousins," he said, pointing at the fat boy. "But don't ever let Kirstin's uncle or dad know or they'll pro'bly give us a kicking, and won't let us back in."

Both Corey and Naf nodded.

Tag smiled. "Ta. Though, I don't know why he thinks the Ratas are Italian, but I'm glad he does. He knows me and Mick have Croatian blood, so he doesn't realise we're related. But the racist p.r.i.c.k still slags us off, making Serbian concentration camp jokes. And Kirstin's dad ain't much better. It wouldn't surprise me if they have n.a.z.i c.r.a.p pasted all over their rooms. If it wuzn't for Kirstin I wouldn't even come here, and right now even she ain't worth it. So, let's get outta here, cos this party blows chunks. Any of you guys got a ride? I wanna do some art."

"Art?" Corey asked.

"Tagging."

"I'm staying here," emo boy said. "If my stepdad catches me tagging again, he'll lose his rag."

Tag laughed. "Yeah, his stepdad's a smurf."

"A smurf?" Corey asked.

Emo boy stopped playing, and glared at Tag. "He calls my stepdad that cos he's a cop, and wears blue."

Corey grimaced. He couldn't stand pigs ever since they arrested him a few months back. And it wasn't even his fault; it was b.l.o.o.d.y Tama's for chasing that girl. Corey hadn't been interested in what Tama had wanted; he was just following Sledge.

"We can take my car," Naf piped up.

"Sweet, then let's blow this stink-a.r.s.e place." Tag headed for the door, then jolted back as it opened.

Kirstin's cousin stepped inside. Tyler glanced around the lounge, his gaze settling on Corey. Corey didn't know how the skinhead could be Tyler's father, because Tyler was a Greek G.o.d in comparison, no, in b.l.o.o.d.y reality, because the dude's face and body was chiselled to perfection. Hmm... Corey's gaze ran down Tyler's body, then moved back to his face again, which now appeared amused. Corey felt the burn of embarra.s.sment punch him in the cheeks then grab him by the throat. He glanced around the room, hoping no one else had noticed his c.o.c.k-up. To his relief, only Tyler was looking at him, the guy's smile widening. Corey sat down and placed a pillow over his lap.

"Who wants a beer?" Tyler held up a six-pack, although Corey was pretty sure he had a different type under his shirt. Dressed in nicely cut pants, with a matching navy jacket over an open-necked white shirt, Tyler looked like he'd come straight from some flash party-or a fashion shoot. Corey glanced down at his grungy threads, wishing he'd made more of an effort.

"Don't want nuthin' from you, Tyler." Tag went for the door. "We're outta here."

"I'd rather stay and have some beer," Corey replied.

Tag stopped in the doorway. "I wouldn't take nuthin' from Tyler. He's a-"

Tyler turned on Tag. "If he wants to stay, he can, so shut your trap or I'll get my dad to shut it for you."

Tag looked over at Corey and mouthed something unreadable. Tyler shoved Tag outside.

"You alright to get home, Corey?" Naf asked.

"I can give him a lift," Tyler piped up. He looked over at Corey, his expression hopeful.

"Okay," Corey replied.

Naf smirked. "Well, ya better buy some mouthwash then." He pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, making a rude gesture with his hand.

Corey flicked Naf the finger as his brother disappeared through the doorway with the others.

Tyler sat down on the armrest next to Corey. "You wanna head out too? I've got wheels."

"But, you've just got here?"

"You really wanna stay?"

Corey shrugged. "It's your place."

"G.o.d, no. I wouldn't choose to live here. I moved out ages ago. So, you wanna go?"

Corey glanced at emo boy, who was still playing the game. The guy hadn't lifted his gaze from the TV screen to even say bye to his mates. "Okay," Corey said, getting up.

They headed outside, watching as Naf's dump of a car spluttered to life. Tag stuck his head out the window and hollered obscene words at Tyler as they drove off. Tyler ignored Tag and clicked off his car alarm. Corey's impressed gaze took in the grey Alfa Romeo. He wondered how a nineteen-year old could afford such a sweet ride.

They got in, Corey taking the beer.

Tyler started the engine and pulled out. "You've lost loads of weight since I last saw you. You look really hot now, not that you didn't before, but you were more adorable back then. Now you're plain..." He smiled, "gorgeous."

Corey felt his face flush. He needed to dunk his stupid head in ice water tonight, because everything was setting it off. "Thanks," he mumbled. "You look different too, I remember you having long brown hair."

"I had to cut it for work, and anyway, I'm naturally blond. I used to dye it brown, cos I thought blond hair made me look gay."

Corey smiled. "But, you are gay."

Tyler shrugged. "I went through a stage where I didn't wanna advertise it. My dad isn't exactly the liberal type. But in the end I decided to tell him the truth. He yelled at me and said I was lying to p.i.s.s him off, then shut himself in his room for days. He still refuses to acknowledge I'm gay."

"My old man hates me being gay too and insists I keep it a secret, but my mum's cool about it. What about your mum?"

"I don't know where she is, she took off when I was a baby, and my stepmum doesn't care." Tyler stopped at a giveway sign and reached for Corey's beanie. "You can take this off now, it's warm in here."

Corey grabbed it. "No, it stays on."

"Why?"

"I had an accident dyeing my hair, so I shaved it all off." He hated people knowing about his cancer, because they always treated him differently.

"Oh, sorry, but I bet you're still hot even without hair."

Corey grimaced. He couldn't wait to get his hair back next year, well, he would as long as he didn't cark it.

"What happened to your face?" Tyler asked as he turned a corner.

Corey reiterated the story.

Tyler laughed. "Sorry. Well, at least you didn't do it to a bloke, they punch harder." He glanced over at Corey. "But I wouldn't hit you if you did it to me."

Corey dropped his gaze, wondering whether Tyler thought he'd gone with him for s.e.x. Yeah, Tyler gave him a b.o.n.e.r, but he wasn't sure he wanted to do anything about it. He'd never f.u.c.ked a guy before, and he didn't want to make an idiot of himself, and what if Tyler wanted to do something he didn't, like r.i.m.m.i.n.g. He didn't mind watching it on the internet, but actually doing it to someone... ooh yuck... no f.u.c.king way! Corey's face dropped. Oh G.o.d, he was smaller than Tyler, which meant he was the twink. He didn't know if he wanted to get f.u.c.ked. He'd stuck a carrot up there once and even with plastic wrap it had stung like b.u.g.g.e.ry. Oh... it was b.u.g.g.e.ry. Guess he knew where the saying came from now.

Tyler stopped at an intersection. "Are you alright?"

Corey glanced up. Tyler was staring at him with a concerned expression, which made him want to pull the beanie over his face. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You look scared."

"Well, I'm not."

Tyler patted his leg. "Don't worry, Corey, I'm not gonna throw myself at you, I'm just happy you're here. Though, don't take this the wrong way, but I thought maybe we could go to my place, but if you're not comfortable with that I can take ya home."

"No, it's cool, we can go there," Corey said, realising he needed to get out of the rut he was in. "I came to see you anyway."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Well, then that makes two of us. I only came to the party cos Kirstin said she'd invited you. My cousin's got a crush on you. Sorry, I didn't think it was appropriate to out you to her, plus she might have uninvited you. Anyway, that girl doesn't know what she wants, cos I'm sure she has a thing for both Tag and Josh as well. If I was her, I'd opt for Josh even if Tag's hotter, at least the other kid doesn't have a horrible mouth on him. And Tag's a trouble maker, not worth his pretty face or b.u.t.t. Ah... I didn't meana say that, not like I look at it, nasty's not my taste."

Corey smiled, feeling a little bit better after Tyler's long ramble. The guy was obviously as nervous as he was.

Tyler smiled back. "You have one angelic smile. I know it's a cliche, but it looks like b.u.t.ter wouldn't melt in your mouth. You are so cute."

"I'm not cute."

"Yes, you are, my friends would give their right arm to be with you, and one other body part."

Corey pulled a face. "You're just smooth talking me, cos you wanna get into my pants."

Tyler snorted, then started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Corey said, not happy he was being laughed at.

"It's cliche heaven tonight. But you're only half right. Yeah, I want in, but I'm still telling you the truth: you really are cute. But, don't think I'm only after you cos of that, you're nice, and you aren't pretentious like the guys I'm used to. It's refreshing not having someone more interested in what I'm wearing than what's under it." Tyler smiled. "I saw the way you were looking at me earlier." His smile widened. "And I love the way you blush so easily. It's adorable."

Corey covered his checks. "I can't help it, and it's not adorable, it's horrible."

"Believe me, it's adorable."

Corey turned to look out the window, feeling uncomfortable again.

"You want the radio on?" Tyler asked.

Corey nodded without looking at him. A rap song that Sledge liked came on. Corey wondered where Sledge was right now. Probably with his b.a.s.t.a.r.d brother. He didn't know why Sledge didn't completely cut ties with Ash. Okay, Ash looked after Sledge for a while, but h.e.l.l, he'd also beaten him up twice, the last time so bad that Sledge had to be hospitalised. It wasn't Sledge's fault that Tama stabbed Ash's mate. b.l.o.o.d.y Tama, he hated the c.u.n.t after all the s.h.i.t he'd caused.

Tyler sped up as he entered the motorway, making Corey feel queasy. He placed a hand on his stomach. He also felt tired. Maybe he should've asked to be taken home. He closed his eyes and rested his head against on the window, quickly drifting off to sleep.

Tyler tapped his leg. "We're here, sleepy-head."

Yawning, Corey opened his eyes and glanced at the clock-radio, surprised he'd slept for twenty minutes. He lowered his head and looked out the car window, his eyes widening at the site of Tyler's pad. Street lamps lit up the Mediterranean-styled terraced house, which had a view of the sea, the Auckland Harbour Bridge's lights colouring the dark waters in different shades of yellow. s.h.i.t, it looked like he was in Herne Bay, the most expensive suburb in Auckland. How the h.e.l.l did Tyler afford to live here?

Corey climbed out of the car. "You've got one awesome place," he said, as Tyler walked around the bonnet.

"Thanks. Um... Can I just do one thing before we go inside?"

Corey ripped his gaze away from the view and turned around, getting a much better one in return. Normally, he didn't like people getting into his personal s.p.a.ce, but right now what he was looking at was definitely worth it. Man, Tyler was a honey. "What didja say?" Corey asked, forgetting the question.

"Whether I can do this." Tyler grabbed Corey's face and kissed his lips, the contact taking Corey by surprise. After a few skipped heartbeats, Tyler pulled back, leaving Corey stunned and wanting more.

Tyler smiled. "I hope you don't mind, but I've been dying to do that ever since I first saw you, cos you have the hottest lips." He clicked on the car alarm, then headed for the front door, leaving Corey with his mouth hanging open.

Corey touched his lips, shocked at how much it had turned him on.

Tyler glanced back at Corey. "You coming?"

A grin spread across Corey's face. "Yeah," maybe I will after all.