“Paige is my friend, myfemalefriend, not my boyfriend. I don’t have a boyfriend and don’t need one. You taught me that, Eddy. I’m through letting you push me around.”
Marissa handed one of the small cups to Bas and reached for another from Paige, holding the second out to Dane. His cup had no yogurt, just fresh cut fruit like pineapples and strawberries. Dane smiled as he took the cup.
“That’s no girl,” Eddy insisted. “A freak of nature maybe, but not a girl.”
Paige’s phone chirped. She pulled it out, glanced at it, and sent off a quick text.
“You’rea freak of nature, Eddy.” Marissa put her hand on Bas’s arm. “Let’s go back to your place.” Bas nodded but didn’t loosen his hold on Dane. Dane grabbed Bas’s hand and tugged them toward the end of the park. Unfortunately, Eddy was following.
Dane wasn’t about to let the kid get another turn at Bas. He tried to keep them all moving.
“Hey, all. What’s up?” Ru called as he and Adam jogged off the trail to meet them. Dane stared at his friend in shock as he took a step toward Eddy. Ru wore a white tee and gray running shorts. He looked like he’d stepped off the page of a fitness magazine, defined arms, wide shoulders, narrow hips. Muscled everywhere. While both Adam and Bas were fit, they were lean and lanky compared to Ru.
“Heard you were at the park so we thought we’d walk with you,” Ru added.
“Holy cow!” Dane said. “You were telling me yesterday you couldn’t eat another slice of the fruit tart because you’re fat. But you look fucking amazing. Like someone in a magazine. No airbrushing needed,” Dane couldn’t help but say. “You’ve been hiding this all winter? Have you been bench-pressing cars? How do you get arms like that?” Dane stared at his owe which didn’t ever develop much definition no matter how much he had lifted.
Adam looked from Ru to Dane. “Aren’t his shoulders and arms drool worthy?” Adam said. Ru was shorter than Bas, but built wider, stronger, intimidating.
“I wanna be just like him when I grow up,” Dane agreed, flexing muscles he didn’t have. Ru gave him a small smile before turning toward Eddy.
“You need something, kid? Want to shout something atme?” He folded is sculpted arms across his chest like he was ready to take on some shit.
Eddy shook his head and turned away, disappearing into the woods surrounding the park a minute later. Dane let out a sigh of relief.
“Someone on the trails warned us about him while we were running. Said he’s been shouting profanities at people,” Ru said. “We tried to call to warn you, but no one answered their phone except Paige.”
“Sorry. Left mine at home. Didn’t think we’d be gone that long,” Bas said. He still seemed a little shaken.
Dane wrapped his arm around Bas’s waist, pulling Bas against him. It was hard watching his friend’s heart break every time his family proved how awful they were.
“Let’s head back to your place. I’m making lasagna, remember? You can help me make the bread before Mrs. C shows up.” The prospect of food got all of them moving.
