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Subject: The Hunters, chapter 20 The Hunters – Chapter 20 Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction which features sexual activity between teenage boys, as well as between teenage boys and adults. If you do not want to read such a story, or it is illegal for you to do so because of your age or where you live, then I recommend you go read something else instead. Feedback is very welcome. So, if you are enjoying this story, please do drop me an email at hoo If you can, please support Nifty with a financial donation – whatever you can afford – so that this archive of stories can remain free and available. Just go to fty/ *** Monday 8th January. Early morning. Will lay in bed. Looking across at his sleeping boyfriend, he wondered whether he had done the right thing in taking him back. Sure, he could be a pain in the backside sometimes, and his bickering with Josh was tiresome. Not that that mattered now, of course. What was most troubling, was how Zach put appearances and social standing above all else. Yet, despite all this, Will still felt drawn to him. At times, he could be funny, with an acerbic wit. In private, he could be surprisingly tender. The fact that he was good looking and incredibly good in bed did his cause no harm, either. `And maybe he can change,’ Will told himself. `Maybe he can become a better person.’ After all, when Will had challenged him to be more supportive, Zach had agreed to do so. However, doubts began to creep in to Will’s head. `Will he still support me if I decide to leave school? Or if I don’t go to Oxford?’ Will shook his head, attempting to displace such thoughts from his mind. He’d promised his aunt that he wouldn’t make any snap decisions about his future, that he’d keep his head down and focus on his schoolwork. But he wasn’t so sure about that anymore. He no longer felt as though he fitted in at the school. He couldn’t put his finger on what made him feel that way, exactly. After all, it wasn’t as if his fellow pupils had made him feel that way. Back in December, when the news about Will and Josh first broke out, the reaction had been fairly mixed, with Will being the butt of many a stare and a whisper. But, since coming back after Christmas, that had very much died down, the story becoming old news. In particular, his teammates in the rugby squad had rallied around him. However, he still felt out of place; that he didn’t belong here. What was more, he was sure he wouldn’t fit in at Oxford. *** The same morning, a few minutes later. Josh woke with a start, his heart racing. Although unable to remember his dream, he was glad to have escaped it. Outside, it was still dark. He had been sleeping in a strange position and his leg had begun to cramp. He sat up, stretching it out. His skin was cold and damp with sweat. Hannah lay beside him. He stared down at her, grateful for her presence. After the way he had behaved, most girls would have stayed away. Lying back down, he wrapped himself around her, using the heat of her skin to warm his own. *** Later that morning. Josh sat in the hall. Butterflies filled his stomach and his palms were sweaty. It was an imposing room, as befitted such a school. Despite the wood panelling, it was a bright space with high ceilings and large windows. On the walls were a large number of plaques, each celebrating the achievements of past students: a reminder of the school’s long and distinguished history. Mr Robinson, the headmaster, entered through a side door, positioning himself behind a wooden podium at the front. Almost as one, the students rose to their feet. “Good morning. Please be seated,” the man said. After waiting for them to do as instructed, he continued. “As you will all be aware, last Friday we had the interviews for the positions of Head Boy and Head Girl. I do not intend to keep any of you on tenterhooks for any longer. So, I am delighted to announce that next year’s Head Girl will be…” A hush of expectation descended over the assembled crowd, all eyes upon the headmaster. “… Lilian Evans.” A warm round of applause filled the hall. Lilian was sat a couple of rows in front of Josh. Around her, people were offering words of congratulations. Josh felt happy for her, knowing that she would do an excellent job. He turned back to look at Mr Robinson. He was beginning to feel nauseous, knowing what was coming next. “Well done Miss Evans,” the headmaster said, drawing everyone’s attention back upon him. After waiting a few moments for silence to fall again, he continued. “And so to announce our new Head Boy, who will be…” Josh thought his heart was going to burst out of his chest. “… Phillip Rhodes,” the man announced. The clapping that greeted this news was louder than before and was accompanied by a number of hollers from Phillip’s teammates in the cricket squad. Josh did his best to force a smile, but tears were already forming in his eyes. He felt like he’d swallowed a lead weight. “Hard luck,” George said, who was sat next to him. “Thanks,” Josh replied. Although disappointed by the decision, he could see why the panel had made the choice they had. Phillip was a really nice guy: intelligent, sporty, funny and kind. He was a model student and would be an excellent Head Boy. After regaining everyone’s attention, Mr Robinson carried on speaking. Josh, however, didn’t take in a word the man said. Ten minutes later, he left the hall and made his way to his politics class. Arriving at the classroom, he found Charlie Whitaker standing in the doorway. “Hard luck,” his freckle faced classmate sneered. “Piss off,” Josh responded, pushing past the brown-haired teenager. “Though I’m not surprised,” Charlie told him. “It must be hard to concentrate on anything in the circumstances.” Josh stopped. “What circumstances?” “This business with your brother. It’s still all anyone is talking about. It must have been a terrible shock.” Josh tried to mask his annoyance with insouciance. “Well, I’m coping.” Charlie laughed. “Aren’t you just!” “What do you mean by that?” “That recently you’ve been acting like the cat that got the cream.” Josh felt a lurch in his stomach. “That’s what people don’t understand,” Charlie went on. “We always thought you and Will were close, yet here you are acting like this discovery is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. It seems very cold-hearted, though I guess you could just be putting on a brave face.” “I am.” “It’s just curious, that’s all. Will’s always been a total star. It can’t have been easy living in his shadow.” The words stung. “I’ve never been in his shadow,” Josh shot back. “I’m just as good as he is.” Charlie smiled. Josh realised he had just proved his classmate’s point. “I just thought you should know what people are saying,” Charlie told him. “I don’t care. They can say what they like.” “I wouldn’t let it bother you. I’m sure they all think just as highly of you as they ever did.” His smile grew even brighter. “Commiserations again about the Head Boy thing.” Brushing past Josh, he made his way towards his desk. *** Mid afternoon. Jon stood in the middle of the electronics store, showing an elderly couple the range of washing machines that were available. He was feeling restless. Though his part time job had often proved vexing, he had never found it dull… until now. Over the weekend, Tim had talked to him about broadening his horizons. `You shouldn’t be working while you’re studying,’ the man had told him. `Your GCSE re-takes need to take priority.’ While continuing to explain the features of the different washing machines on offer, he turned his father’s words over in his head. “Why are you talking like that?” Claire asked him, after the elderly couple had left the store without making a purchase. “Like what?” he asked. “You were using a really posh accent.” He felt startled. He hadn’t realised he was doing it. “I didn’t sound that posh,” he said defensively. She raised an eyebrow. “Well, what does it matter?” he asked. “The customers seem to like it.” “And do they also like being made to feel like time wasters?” “Pardon?” “You were really abrupt with that last couple. What’s up with you, Jon? Do you think this job is beneath you all of a sudden?” He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. “There are some customers over there who need my help,” he told her. She gave him a quizzical look. Ignoring it, he made his way to the other side of the store. *** That evening, Josh told Hannah about his run in with Charlie Whitaker. They sat together in his room. She listened in silence, a sympathetic look on her face. “I’m sure people don’t think badly of you,” she said eventually. “You’re not happy about losing Will. You’re happy about finding Jon.” “Exactly.” “What do they expect you to do? Sit in a heap and cry? You have to get on with your life.” He nodded, grateful for her support. “And I’m sorry you didn’t make Head Boy,” she told him. “Thanks. It still feels like a punch in the gut though. I had thought that with my father and Mr Robinson being such good friends…” “I know,” she said. “But there were other people on the panel, weren’t there? And Phillip does have a lot going for him. I can understand why they chose him.” “I guess.” “So what did Jon say when you told him you hadn’t got it?” she asked. “I haven’t yet.” “Oh. Why not?” Josh shrugged. “I don’t want him to think badly of me, I guess.” “I’m sure he wouldn’t. Though, if I hadn’t met him, I might have thought he would.” Josh was confused. “What do you mean?” “Well, to be honest, when you first told me about him, I was worried. You’re identical twins, but your life has been so much better than his. I thought lara kendi evi olan escort he might really resent you. But when we met him and Mike in the pub I stopped worrying.” She smiled at him. “He obviously thinks the world of you.” “Yes, he does.” “That’s why he’s copying you. Changing his hair and losing weight; buying new clothes.” She gave a little giggle. “Soon your parents won’t be able to tell you apart.” “Oh, I’m sure they will,” he said quickly. “And it’s nice that he gets on well with them. You did the right thing introducing him to them. He must be so grateful to you.” He didn’t answer. His mind was starting to race. `Does he resent me? Just like he resents Will?’ “Maybe, next time he has lunch with your father, you could go too…” More thoughts raced through his head. ‘Is that the real reason he’s copying me?’ “I’m sure you’d all really enjoy that…” The questions continued. `Why did he have lunch with Dad after I’d gone back to school? Was that deliberate? Did he want me to feel excluded? Is he trying to replace me? After all, how well do I really know him?’ Worries flooded his brain while Hannah prattled on, oblivious. *** Over in Crompton House, Will stood in his housemaster’s office. “Thank you for coming to see me, Hunter,” Mr Sanderson began. “How are things?” “Fine, thank you, sir.” “I’m glad to hear that. To be honest, after what happened before Christmas with your application form, I was worried you might go off the rails completely. I’m pleased to see you haven’t. In fact, by all accounts, your behaviour has been impeccable and your academic work is as good as ever. I also gather you picked up man of the match last week?” “That’s correct, sir.” “Good. In light of all of this, I’ve decided to review your punishment,” the man told him. “Your privileges are to be reinstated with immediate effect, so you are now permitted to leave the site in the evenings and at weekends. But if there is even the slightest indiscretion, believe me when I say that I will not hesitate to revoke them again.” “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Will said, hardly able to keep the surprise out of his voice. “However, some of the punishment will remain. For the time being you will still be barred from the vice-captaincy of the rugby team, but we will revisit that decision in the summer. And you will still be in detention until Easter, though only Mondays and Wednesdays from now on.” “Yes, sir. I understand.” “Don’t let me down, Hunter. What’s more, don’t let yourself down.” “Don’t worry, sir. I won’t.” *** Tuesday morning. Jennifer heard the front door bell. She felt excited, hoping it would be a delivery of flowers from Jonathan. Instead, it was somebody asking if she wanted to change her electricity supplier. She stood in her hallway, feeling disappointed. After each of his first three visits, Jonathan had sent a thank you gift and a part of her had hoped he would repeat the gesture. She knew she was being silly. He was her son. He didn’t need to thank her for her hospitality. It was reward enough to see him. Perhaps he had realised that. Perhaps that was the reason. The idea made her feel warm inside. Until another possibility occurred to her. `Did Josh talk him out of it? Is he jealous? Does he think Jonathan and I are getting too close? Is he trying to make trouble between us?’ She tried to push the thought from her mind, but it remained firmly in place. *** That afternoon, Josh stood in front of Mr Hawthorne, his politics teacher. The man had asked him to stay behind after class. “What’s wrong with you today, Hunter?” his teacher asked him. “Did you take in even a single word I said this lesson?” Josh breathed deeply, trying to keep his composure, while spotting Charlie Whitaker talking to someone outside the classroom door. Was he trying to eavesdrop? “I’m sorry sir,” Josh said. “It won’t happen again.” “It had better not. If you’re going to get into a good university, you’ve got to make sure you do well in your exams. The only way to guarantee that is by working hard. Understand?” “Yes sir.” His teacher stared at him, while in the corridor someone was laughing. “Look, I know what’s happened with your brother,” the teacher said. “It must be difficult, but you really must focus on your schoolwork.” “Yes sir. But you don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine.” “Very well,” the man said. “Now off you go. We don’t want you being late for your next lesson, do we?” “No sir. Thank you.” As he made his way out of the classroom, Josh saw Charlie talking to you a couple of other boys. They all smirked as he walked past. Making his way out into the quad, he took out his phone. He had felt it buzz while Mr Hawthorne had been lecturing him. It was a text message from Jon, asking him to call. The tone was warm and chatty, just like his communications always were. Just like Will’s messages had always been. In fact, their writing styles were remarkably similar. He’d never noticed it before. But Jon wasn’t Will. He would never be any competition. `But does he know that?’ Josh asked himself. *** As Josh was getting bollocked by his politics teacher, sixty miles away his father was with Brandon in their usual hotel room. The two of them stood next to the bed, kissing each other hungrily, their hands roaming over each other’s bodies. Pushing Tim’s jacket off, Brandon pulled the man’s shirt out from his trousers and slid his teenage hands under it. As Brandon felt the man up, Tim unbuttoned his own trousers, pushing them and his underwear down to his knees in one swift movement. His large cock sprang up, thick and hard. Reaching down, Brandon grabbed it by the root, before dropping to his knees. Pressing his face against Tim’s thigh, he looked up at his older lover, his young eyes full of lust. Tim slapped his heavy dick lightly against the teenager’s face, rubbing the tip over the lad’s full lips. Brandon opened his mouth, allowing Tim to push his slick cock-head and half the shaft into his hot, wet mouth. Brandon began to suck greedily, causing Tim to moan as he felt the youthful tongue exploring his prick. Pushing forward, the teenager began to open his throat, swallowing Tim’s entire length, until his nose was mashed against the older man’s groin. Tim groaned deep and low as Brandon’s gullet pulsed around his throbbing meat. Pulling Brandon off his penis, Tim hauled the teenager’s hoodie and t-shirt over his head. As he did so, he admired the gardener’s hard, tight body. Placing a hand on each of the seventeen-year old’s shoulders, Tim pushed Brandon back down onto his knees, dragging the teenager’s mouth back onto his dick. Brandon drooled around the shaft, moaning. Tim began to face-fuck the teenager in long slow strokes, the man’s cock forced deep into the youngster’s throat with each thrust. He could feel the teen’s neck muscles milking his dick, hungry with need. Brandon grabbed the man’s arse, pulling Tim into him. Momentarily withdrawing his prick from the teenager’s hungry mouth, Tim lifted Brandon onto the bed, before lying down next to him in a 69 position. Reaching across, Tim slid a hand under the waistband of the gardener’s underwear. Tim’s cock jumped in the teenager’s mouth as he ran a finger down Brandon’s crack, teasing the seventeen-year old’s hairless pucker. Brandon groaned around Tim’s prick, pushing his young hole against the man’s probing digits, encouraging him to drive the digit in further. After a few moments, Tim added a second finger, opening Brandon up. Momentarily, Brandon pulled off the man’s penis. “Fuck me Tim,” the teenager begged. “I need you inside me.” Tim looked down into Brandon’s pleading eyes, and grinned. After withdrawing his fingers from the teenager’s hole, he got off the bed and proceeded to kick off his shoes, before shucking his trousers, socks and underwear. Finally, he undid the buttons on his shirt and pulled his arms out of the sleeves. Moving over to sit on the bed, with his back resting against the headboard, Tim spread his legs, slowly stroking his thick meat, slick with Brandon’s saliva. “Come and ride it,” Tim instructed, a glint in his eyes. Brandon met the older man’s gaze and grinned. After quickly stripping himself naked, the teenager straddled the man, lowering his bubble butt towards the big, pulsing cock. After placing a hand round the back of Tim’s neck to steady himself, Brandon lined himself up, the soft lips of his teenage arse meeting the tip of the man’s prick. Brandon began to push down, forcing Tim’s cock-head against his hole. Tim was overwhelmed by the sensations generated by Brandon’s tight ring as the teenager’s chute began to swallow his prong. “Oh yeah, Tim,” Brandon groaned. “I love your thick cock.” Tim grinned up at him. Reaching out, he grabbed one of Brandon’s nipples as the teenager slid further down the man’s length. Throwing his head back, the seventeen-year old let out a low groan as his tight hole consumed Tim to the base. “Oh fuck Tim, fill me up,” he gasped, as he bottomed out against the man’s balls. Then, grabbing Tim round the back of his head, he pulled his older lover’s face to his, forcing his teenage tongue into Tim’s mouth, kissing him savagely. Tim responded enthusiastically, sucking on the seventeen-year old’s tongue as he felt the gardener’s warm chute clench around his pulsing dick. Brandon began to ride Tim’s shaft, gripping it as he pulled up to the ridge, before sliding back down to the root. His hard quads rippled under his smooth skin, his abs tensing as he fucked himself on the man’s prick. Running his hands over the teenager’s tight body, Tim gripped Brandon’s lara otele gelen escort nipples and twisted them. Brandon’s hole clenched hard around Tim’s shaft, driving the man wild. Picking up the pace, the seventeen-year old began slamming his hot, wet cunt up and down, eating the older man’s tool with his arse. “Oh fuck, yeah,” Tim moaned. “Show me how much you want my cock, you slut.” He pumped his hips up to meet the teen’s down stroke. Brandon looked at the man with lust-filled eyes, his body running in sweat. “Fuck, I love you having you inside me, Tim!” For the next few minutes, the two fucked long and slow, almost taking each other to the edge, before pulling back, not wanting their pleasure to end. Eventually, Tim grabbed Brandon under the armpits and pulled him off his cock. He swung the teenager around, dropping him onto the bed so the gardener was laid on his back. After positioning himself behind the teenager, he pushed Brandon’s legs up, instructing the young man to hold them in place. Tim looked down at the teenager’s distended hole and smiled to himself. Lining his penis back up against Brandon’s starfish, he rammed it in. Brandon let out a low moan as Tim’s cum-filled balls slapped against his teenage butt. As the man began to fuck him again, Brandon wrapped his hard calves around Tim’s arse, pulling his lover in deep, his teenage fingers digging into the man’s lats. “Oh yeah!” Brandon cried out. “Breed me Tim. Fill me up, you stud!” Tim rooted him deeply, his dick grinding over Brandon’s love nut with each stroke. Brandon clung on tight as Tim ploughed his hole, his eyes burning with a primal need. “Oh fuck, I’m gonna cum,” Brandon grunted through gritted teeth. Tim jack-hammered the teenager hard, tearing in deep. Brandon cried out, his body tensing up as he shot a massive load, streaking his abs and pecs with ropes of thick jizz. As the orgasm raked through his body, his chute clamped like a vice around his lover’s shaft. Tim’s churning balls pulled up tight. He threw his head back as he unloaded into Brandon’s hole, shooting his hot, potent spunk deep into the teenager’s greedy cunt. “Oh fuck baby, fuck! Take my load,” Tim cried. “Oh yeah, cum in me. Breed me you hot fucker,” the teenager replied. With a grunt, Tim squeezed the last of his massive load into Brandon’s flooded arse before collapsing onto the teenager, slicking his body with the pools of juice the seventeen-year old had shot over himself. “Shit Tim. You are one epic fuck!” Brandon announced, grinning. Leaning into each other, the pair kissed deeply. Sliding his cock slowly out of Brandon, Tim felt the teenager’s ring close tight, keeping the man’s seed inside. Brandon shivered as Tim withdrew from his body, moaning softly at the loss of the man’s dick. Grabbing a towel from a nearby chair, Tim wiped Brandon’s cum off their torsos, inhaling the teenager’s scent as his seed soaked into the fibres. *** That evening. Sat in his room, Will was nervously waiting for Zach to arrive. Will had made his mind up to tell his boyfriend how he was feeling and his thoughts about his future. He was unsure how Zach would react. Part of him hoped that the raven-haired teen would be supportive, as Zach had promised to be when they’d first seen each other after the Christmas holidays. However, Will was already bracing himself for the opposite reaction, knowing all too well what Zach could be like. Will knew it would be the ultimate test of their relationship, yet he also knew it was a test they needed to face. As he sat waiting, Will once again turned his options over in his head. Since coming back from the Christmas break, things had become more complicated. Although promising his aunt otherwise, Will had pretty much made his mind up that he would leave the school sooner rather than later. However, the support he’d received from his classmates over the past week was making him reconsider. He no longer appeared to be the centre of gossip. Instead, nearly all of those who’d given him furtive glances and had been whispering behind his back, were now being friendly to him again. Many of them had apologised to him and offered him words of encouragement. His teammates from the rugby squad had been particularly supportive of him. Although he didn’t want to let them down, was that sufficient reason for him to stay? Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Standing up, Will went to answer it, and saw that it was Zach. After letting his boyfriend into the room, they sat together on the sofa. Will took a deep breath, still unsure of how Zach would react to what he was about to share with him. “I’ve been doing some thinking,” he announced. “That sounds ominous,” Zach replied. “Yes… well… with everything that’s been going on, I’m not sure what I want anymore.” “What do you mean by that?” “This school. Oxford. Being an actuary. All along it’s been what my dad wanted. It’s not me. It’s not what I want.” Zach looked agog. “What? You can’t be serious!” “I am.” “And what does this mean exactly? You can’t just throw everything away that you’ve worked so hard to achieve.” “I was talking to Olivia over Christmas. She and Aunt Angela have said I can move in with them if I want. There are a few good comprehensive schools near to them. I can restart my A levels in September; choose ones that I want to do rather than ones that Dad thinks I should.” “And what about the rest of this year?” “I don’t know yet,” Will told him. “My aunt thinks I should stay and see the year out, but I’m not so sure.” Zach stood up. “I can’t deal with this, Will. I’m sorry, but we’re through.” `How could I have been so stupid?’ Will thought to himself. `How could I think Zach could change? Why do I always have to see the best in people?’ He let out a wry laugh. “What’s so funny?” Zach demanded. “You. You’re finally being honest. It’s refreshing.” “What are you talking about?” “I’m talking about when you said you’d still love me if my chances of getting into Oxford went down the toilet. What a joke that was. And as for what you said last week about trying to support me? Ha. You’ve never really loved me, have you? You just love the status I provide.” The words stung. “That’s not true,” Zach said. “Of course it’s true. Josh was right about you. He always said I was nothing but another designer accessory to go with your designer watches and designer clothes, and that if I ever failed to live up to the mark then you’d trade me in for another model. You’ve probably already got one on standby.” Zach didn’t answer. The barb had hit home. “I’m right, aren’t I? What’s his name, Zach? Or, more importantly, which college at Oxford is he planning on going to?” Will’s eyes sliced through Zach like x-rays. They made him feel guilty. They made him feel ashamed of who he really was. And he couldn’t stand it. “And who are you to lecture me about love?” Zach demanded. “You can’t even inspire it in your own family! Where’s your precious Josh now? Where are your precious parents? Nowhere, that’s where. They all ditched you the moment Jonathan walked through the door. That’s how little they thought of you. You think I’m cold, but I’m an amateur compared to them. And I’m an amateur compared to your uncle and his family too. The moment they met you they realised you were only good for being used.” Will swallowed. Zach sensed he had hurt him, and he was glad. “Not so judgemental now?” Zach taunted. “Who knows? Maybe that’s why Ben dumped you too. Maybe he woke up one morning and realised that what he thought was love was only pity.” Again, Will swallowed. “Maybe he did.” “Josh was right, Will. I never loved you. I only loved what you represented. When you were successful you were just about tolerable, and now you’re not, you’re nothing.” “Then why are you still here?” “Don’t worry, I won’t be in a minute. This really is it.” “Goodbye, then.” Will’s tone was casual, as if he didn’t care. But Zach needed him to care. It wasn’t enough to leave him. Will had to regret him doing so. “You don’t want me to go,” Zach taunted. “I’m all you’ve got.” “Then I’d rather have nothing.” “You do have nothing! Even this room isn’t really yours. By rights it should be Jonathan’s. All you’ve ever been is his stand-in.” “And he’s welcome to all of it,” Will shot back. “I don’t need it. I used to think I did, but I was wrong.” “And what prompted this sudden revelation? Seeing what failures your real parents were and deciding that if they can make do with crap then you can too?” Will shook his head. “Then what?” Zach asked. “It’s the time I spent with you.” It was Zach’s turn to swallow. “It’s being with someone who can’t make a purchase without checking whether the product has a suitably exclusive label,” Will continued. “It’s being with someone who can’t enter into a friendship or start a relationship without checking the other person’s wealth and prospects. It’s being with someone so obsessed with the trappings of success they’ve lost the gift of spontaneity. That’s who you are, Zach, and I pity you for it.” He couldn’t take Will’s condemnation any more. “Fuck you!” Will smiled. “I take it back. Now that was spontaneous.” “Don’t you ever pity me, and don’t presume to know me either. You know nothing about me.” He turned to go. “Aren’t you going to tell me?” Will asked. “What?” “My replacement’s name.” Zach let out a hollow laugh. “Logan Fraser.” Will smiled to himself. “I hope it works out. I hope he makes you happy. I really do.” “Oh, he will. You can be sure of that. He’s not a loser like you.” Zach walked out of the room and strode down lara rus escort the corridor. After descending the stairs, he made his way out of Crompton House. Only then did he burst into tears. *** Wednesday lunchtime. Timothy sat in his study, looking at his watch. He was due to drive up to meet Josh for dinner, though he wouldn’t need to leave for a few hours yet. He knew exactly what dinner would be like: an hour listening to Josh lament his failure to make Head Boy, followed by him alternately boast and beg for approval. An hour of hearing mediocre achievements described as if they were remarkable, while constantly being asked to agree that they were indeed so. It was that combination of narcissism and neediness that seemed to define Josh. One that Tim had never really noticed before, but now he had, he couldn’t stand. Not that it was entirely Josh’s fault. Jennifer was needy too. He had inherited that from her. And as for the narcissism… Tim caught his reflection in a windowpane. `Blood will out,’ he said to himself. No, it wasn’t Josh’s fault, Tim realised. He himself was the one to blame. But knowing that didn’t make the prospect of dinner any more appetising. *** “So you really can’t make it?” Josh asked. “No. I’m sorry,” Tim replied. “My old firm have asked me to do some work for them. They need it urgently.” “I understand, Dad.” He struggled to keep the reproach out of his voice, and the suspicions out of his head. “Thanks, Josh. We’ll arrange something for next week.” “Yes, that would be good.” He pulled his diary out of his bag. “What day is good for you?” “Let me check and call you back. How’s school by the way? Sorry again that you didn’t make Head Boy, but I’m sure you’re showing them what a star you are in your classes, aren’t you?” Josh thought of the lecture he’d been given by his politics teacher the previous day. “Of course,” he said quickly. “Jolly good. Well, I won’t disturb you anymore. Bye, Josh.” The line went dead. Inside Josh’s head, the suspicions grew ever more alive. `Is he trying to avoid me? Does his old firm really need his help? Is he meeting Jon instead? Will they be sitting together in a restaurant later? Will they be laughing at me?’ He tried to ignore the voices, but they continued to flood his mind like an incoming tide drowning a beach. *** Later that afternoon, Jon sat at home after a day at college. He was feeling irritated. He had just phoned Josh to share with him a few ideas he’d had for some changes he wanted to make to the d�cor in his new apartment. Josh had been really abrupt with him and told him he couldn’t really talk. Jon told himself it was nothing. Josh was just busy with school. Now that he thought about it, there had been times when Mike had called Jon at work and he’d had to tell Mike it wasn’t a good time. `Is he jealous that Mum and Dad bought this apartment for me?’ Jon asked himself. `Or is he getting bored with me?’ Mike had said that Josh was just using him. Had his ex-boyfriend been right? And had he now served his purpose? He shuddered, as if someone had walked on his grave. *** That evening, Josh talked things over with Hannah, eager for her opinion. “Does he really think I’m interested in what cushions he’s buying for his living room?” Josh asked. “It was bad enough having to watch Mum and Dad hand him the keys to the place on Christmas Day. It’s as if he’s trying to rub my nose in it.” “Stop overreacting. I’m sure he’s not trying to do that,” Hannah told him. “He’s just excited. After all, he’s had a much harder life than you have.” Josh shrugged. “I guess. But why did they have to buy an apartment for him? Couldn’t they have just told him to move in with them and made him commute. I mean, it’s not that far!” “Guilt, I suppose. Your parents have missed seventeen year’s worth of Christmas and birthday presents. It’s hardly surprising that they want to make up for that. Besides, they bought you a car.” He didn’t answer. In his head was an image of Jon giving their parents a tour of the apartment, showing off his new furnishings and soaking up all their praise, just like Will used to do, while Josh skulked in the background, as unwelcome as a bad smell. “Do you think he told Dad about his plans over dinner?” he asked eventually. She shook her head. “Don’t be so paranoid. Your father wouldn’t cancel on you and then meet Jon. That would be a horrible thing to do. And even if they had met, Jon would tell you about it. He’d never keep secrets from you. He idolises you. Of course he does.” Again, Josh remained silent. “You’re everything he wants to be. Now come here,” she told him, grabbing his tie and pulling him towards her. “I know a way to make you feel better.” *** The following afternoon. Jon arrived at the electronics store after spending the day at college. The shop was dead, with not a single customer in sight. It was typical for mid-January, after the busyness of Christmas and the New Year’s sale. Somewhat nervously, he walked up to Nigel, the manager of the store, and handed him an envelope. “What’s this?” his boss asked. “It’s my resignation letter,” Jon said, flatly. “Oh,” the man replied, looking floored by the news. “What’s brought this on?” “I was right, wasn’t I?” asked Claire, interrupting the conversation. “You think we’re beneath you all of a sudden.” “No, it’s not like that,” Jon said. “What’s it like then?” she asked. “It’s a long story,” he replied. “Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of time,” she told him. “It’s not like we’re rushed off our feet in here.” “Okay,” Jon said. Taking a deep breath, he began to tell them what had happened since that fateful November afternoon. “That’s quite some story,” Nigel said, after Jon had finished his tale. “Yes,” Claire agreed. “It’s like something you’d read in the tabloids.” Jon laughed. “Tell me about it.” “I just wished you’d have told us about it sooner,” Claire told him. “I thought we were close.” Jon began to feel guilty. “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how.” “Well, we’ll be sorry to lose you,” Nigel said. “But I can understand you wanting to put your education first.” “You won’t be losing me just yet,” Jon said. “I’ll work my notice, of course.” “There’s no need,” his boss replied. “It’s not like we’re busy at the moment.” *** His shift at an end, Jon got on his moped and headed back to his apartment. He was feeling wrung out. He hadn’t expected leaving his colleagues to be as emotional as it was. Setting off, he began to wonder how best to share the news with Josh. He could phone him, but after the abrupt ending to their call the previous day, he wasn’t sure that was the best idea. `It would probably make sense to tell him in person,’ Jon told himself. `I’ll call him first, to let him know I’m coming up. But yes, it’ll definitely be best to tell him face-to-face.’ *** Friday evening. After another unproductive prep session, Josh tidied up his things and left the classroom. He knew that he would have to work most of the weekend to catch up. As he turned the corner, he saw a group of pupils from Peel House, Charlie Whitaker among them. Not wanting to have to face them, he turned around and made a detour. It would take him longer, but he didn’t care. A few minutes later, he made his way out into the rain soaked quad. “Josh!” Turning, he saw Jon, who was dressed in the suit he’d worn for the interview. Josh tried to mask his shock. “What are you doing here?” “I’ve come to see you.” “You should have called first.” “I did. But you didn’t answer.” The door behind them opened. Charlie and his group appeared. Josh felt trapped. “I’ve been busy,” he said, wiping raindrops from his face. “You still could have called me back. What’s going on?” “Nothing.” “If there’s a problem then tell me and we can talk about it,” Jon told him. “There isn’t a problem.” “Then why are you acting like there is?” “I’m not acting like anything.” He exhaled. “You shouldn’t have just turned up like this.” “Why not?” Jon asked. “It’s what brothers do. We are still brothers, aren’t we?” “Of course we are.” “Then why are you acting as if you’re ashamed of me?” “I’m not! It’s… well, it’s complicated.” “How is it complicated? We’re twins. We’re a team. That’s what you said in Barbados.” Jon glared at him. “Or was that just the drink talking?” Josh shook his head. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Charlie approaching. His sense of being trapped increased. “I’m not a toy you can discard,” Jon told him. “A twin is for life, not just for Christmas.” “Am I interrupting something?” Charlie asked, chirpily. “Actually, we need to go,” Josh replied. Jon grabbed his arm. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?” Reluctantly, he did so. Charlie stared at Jonathan. “Wow. You really are identical.” Jon beamed. Josh forced himself to do likewise. “We’re going for a drink,” Charlie told them. “Would you like to join us?” Josh opened his mouth to refuse, only for Jon to beat him to it. “We’d love to,” he said firmly. “Wouldn’t we, Josh?” *** Will stood under an umbrella in the Northern Quarter of Manchester city centre, sheltering from the rain, while watching people hurry into the bars and restaurants that were all around him. A slim, dark haired teenager, whose face was smattered with freckles, made his way towards him. As he got nearer, the freckled lad smiled at him. It was a smile that could still unleash a million butterflies in Will’s stomach. “Ben!” “Hi Will.” “Thanks for agreeing to meet me.” Ben shook his head. “I don’t know why I did, to be honest,” he said, his smile fading. As Will remembered what they had once been to each other, the realisation broke his heart. “I’m glad you did,” Will replied. “I just need someone to talk to.” “You have lots of people you can talk to. What about Josh? Why did you feel the need to come all this way to talk to me?” Will couldn’t help himself. He started to laugh. “What’s so funny?” Ben asked. “You mean you haven’t heard?” “Heard what?” 1
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