by Xondra Day
Evernight Publishing
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2012 Xondra Day
ISBN: 978-1-77130-058-2
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: JC Chute
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
This one if for my readers. You keep me writing.
XD
APPLES TO ORANGES
Xondra Day
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
Jace eyed the new guy with peculiar interest from where he sat, underneath a large oak in the schoolyard. He bit into an apple and chewed, slowing as he traced the dude’s form up and down, trying to figure him out.
Mike, his cousin sat next to him and motioned with his head towards the new guy who leaned back onto the trunk of the tree. “This is Brandon,” Mike said. “He transferred here last week. Brandon, this is my cousin, Jace.”
“Hey,” Brandon said, his eyes a deep blue looked to the area surrounding them, as if seeking something as he spoke. “So, what do you all do around here for fun?” His gaze connected with Jace’s for a second before be turned his head away quickly.
“Fun?” Mike asked. “You gots to be kidding.” He removed a sandwich from a brown paper bag and winced. “Freaking tuna again.” He tossed the sandwich back in the bag. “This is about as exciting as it gets around here, in this hole of a town. Right, Jace?”
Jace nodded in agreement. “Can’t say that much of anything goes on around here.” This was his first time meeting Brandon, but Jace had noticed him, during the few classes they shared together.
Brandon shrugged indifferently. “I figured as much. This place sure as hell ain’t the city.”
“Population four thousand and counting,” Mike added. “It must have been fantastic to live in a place with so much happening.”
“Yeah, man, it was great. There was always something on the go. I miss it like you wouldn’t believe. I left a shitload of friends behind when we moved here. I blame my dad. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have to be here.” Brandon narrowed his eyes and looked up at the bright sky. “He screwed around on my mom.”
“They’re separated?” Jace asked, wanting to know more about Brandon.
“Divorced,” Brandon corrected. “He cheated on her with some bimbo from work. They did try to work it out, but it was a no go.”
“That sucks, man,” Mike replied. “My parents split up when I was ten. It was mutual for them. They fell out of love, or so my mom says. She remarried two years after, and my stepdad is pretty cool.”
“It’s nice to hear that someone’s family isn’t as fucked up as mine. What about your parents, Jace? Are they still together or splitsville?” Brandon questioned, eyeing him.
“My dad was killed in Afghanistan last year,” he explained. Jace spotted a large spider scurrying across the grass near his foot. It was a big assed spider. He placed his hand on the ground palm side up and watched as the spider wobbled across it. “A landmine got him. There wasn’t much left to send home.” He glanced up as he finished and raised his hand to block the sun’s rays from his vision. There wasn’t anything else to tell about his dad’s story.
“Jesus.” Brandon shook his head and looked towards Mike. “Is that true? Is he for real?”
“Yup. Uncle Rick was awesome, too. You would have liked him. Everyone did. He was that type of guy. He was more like a friend than some parental. He fought and did his duty and we’re all proud of him.”
“Sorry about your dad. He sounds like one hell of a guy. I can respect that…the whole fighting for your county thing, I mean. If it wasn’t for guys like him, where would this country be, right?” Brandon said.
Jace nodded. He totally agreed. “That’s how I see it, and I tell myself that practically every day since his death.” He had, too. It was the only way he managed to get through the grief that had overwhelmed him in the first few months. It hurt like nothing else ever had, and his mom still wasn’t past it. She had days where she simply didn’t function. “Anyway, it’s time to get back. Class is about to start.” Jace listened to the school’s bell ringing in the near distance. “And there it is.”
****
He was an absolute asshole. How could he complain about his life when this guy, Jace had lost his dad like that, blown up in that terrible war? Brandon could have smacked himself for being so stupid and thoughtless.
“Now,” Mr. Garcia, his history teacher, said, “I’d like for you to read section two and complete the set of questions at the end.” A loud moan escaped from the class. “Quiet down, everyone. It’s only ten questions,” Mr. Garcia continued. “If you need any help, raise your hand.”
Brandon flicked through the pages of the history book and started to read. Fuck, it was enough to put him to sleep. Thank God it was his senior year and he only had a couple of months to go before graduation. He’d leave this shit town and head back to the city where he belonged.
Brandon looked to his right. Jace sat two rows over from him. He wondered what it must have been like for Jace to lose his dad like that. Every week more and more soldiers were falling in the line of duty. It scared the crap out of him and he was thankful not to know anyone fighting over there personally. He hated to admit it, but he noticed Jace more than he should. He couldn’t help but watch him, and that alone set off a flight of nervousness coursing through his stomach. It wasn’t normal to notice other guys .
Jace had nice eyes. They were dark brown and soulful. It was the first thing Brandon had noticed earlier in the schoolyard during their brief chat. And lips. Jace definitely had sexy lips. He wondered how they’d feel pressing against his. Brandon started to get a stiffy as he elaborated the thought in his mind. This forced him to shift slightly in his seat to make things more comfortable and accommodating. He bet that Jace had nice, soft skin too. Christ! He had to stop thinking like that. He had to erase those thoughts. He wasn’t queer, right?
****
Jace felt Brandon’s eyes on him. From the corner of his eye to his right, he could see that indeed one of the hottest guys in school was scoping him out.
Brandon was without a doubt cute, in a rough sort of a way. Everything about him screamed rebel: from the way he talked like he didn’t give a fuck about anything, to the way he carried himself around school with a slight swagger as he walked. But there was something about Brandon that attracted Jace, something that he couldn’t quite pinpoint that went beyond anything physical. None of it mattered, anyway. It wasn’t as if he’d be able to act on his feelings. His gayness had to stay a secret for now. Coming out at this time wasn’t an option.
He’d had only one experience with a guy. Preston worked alongside him on the school’s now-defunct newspaper. After school had let out one day, they exchanged hand jobs in the boy’s washroom. After their very brief encounter they hardly spoke and when they did, it was strictly about business related to the paper.
Jace turned his head a little more and locked eyes with Brandon. Inside his chest, his heart beat hard and steady. Brandon was the first to turn away.
The bell rang signalling the end of class. The other students made a mad dash for the door while Mr. Garcia yelled for them to slow down. Jace started to place his books in his backpack when a balled up wad of paper landed on the d
esk, halting him. He looked up in the nick of time to see Brandon walking out of the classroom. When he read the words scribbled on the piece of paper, he raised one brow in response.
Sorry for being an ass today. I should learn to think before I speak.
Brandon
Jace read the brief note three times before shoving it deep into the right pocket of his jeans. There was definitely more to Mr. Brandon after all.
At his locker, Jace stopped long enough to drop some books off, to lighten his load before the walk home. When a hand fell on his right shoulder, he nearly jumped out of his skin with surprise.
“Sorry, Jace. I didn’t mean to startle you.” It was Preston.
“Hey, how’s life?” It had been ages since they’d last spoken. They had no reason to be around each other anymore since the school’s newspaper folded a month ago due to lack of interest on the students’ behalf.
“Life’s been good. How goes everything with you?” Preston leaned against the row of lockers, his eyes seemingly tracing Jace up and down.
“I’ve been well. I’m looking forward to graduation, summer, and college in the fall.” Jace wondered what Preston wanted. They weren’t friends, by a long shot or even acquaintances.
Preston looked up and down the nearly deserted hallway as he started to speak. He appeared nervous and with his brow furrowed, he cleared his throat. “I was thinking,” he started, his voice soft and low.
“Thinking? About what?”
“The yearbook. You’re a great hand at organizing and brainstorming. You have a great eye for things.”
Hand. That wasn’t the best choice of words, given their history together. “Thanks.”
“So, I was thinking that we could get together and chat about some ideas. I’d like to make this yearbook a memorable one.”
Jace shrugged. He was indifferent to be involved. “Sure, I guess so. When did you have in mind?” Preston was pretty cute, though Jace hated to admit he still thought so. The guy had the whole preppy thing down to a science.
“Cool.” Preston smiled and rested his hand on Jace’s shoulder, looking more confident. “My parents are going to be out until tonight. You could come home with me and stay for supper. We can order take-out or pick up something on the way.”
“Sounds good.” Jace was impressed. Was this a new side of Preston?
“Thanks, man. I’ll get the car and meet you outside.” Preston backed away from him and grinned. He turned and walked down the hallway and out of sight.
Alone with Preston? He should have said no. That would have been the sensible thing. After Preston brushed him off the last time, he’d been royally pissed for weeks afterwards. If it happened again, Jace would have no one to blame but himself this time around.
****
Calm the fuck down! Brandon wiped the palms of his hands against his jeans. It took everything in him to muster up the courage to write that note to Jace and actually follow through with giving it to him. He was glad he did, and he did feel better for doing so. He hoped that Jace wouldn’t think he was some sort of asshole. At times he hated the way he came across to others.
His mom kept telling him to straighten up and change his shitty attitude. Hell, she wasn’t much of a role model herself, but she did have a point. The only people that ever understood him were his friends. They never hassled him about anything.
“Hey, man,” Mike said, coming out of the school. He joined Brandon on the front steps. “What’s up?”
“This is it,” he replied. His reason and plan for hanging out there was to catch Jace alone, but that was all shot to hell now, with Mike’s unexpected arrival. And while he did say what he wanted to on that little piece of paper, he still felt the need to speak to Jace in person.
“I forgot to mention earlier that we’re celebrating Jace’s birthday on Saturday. We’re heading out to the lake for a party. We’ll be staying overnight. It’s nothing big, just a few beers, girls…that type of shit. You’re welcome to come along with us.”
“Sounds good. Girls you say?” Brandon grinned and smirked.
“I could hook you up with someone. I’m kinda seeing Shelly Barter and she has a couple of friends who aren’t half bad.”
“Dogs, eh?” Brandon snickered at the thought of being set up. Not in this lifetime.
“Hardly. Anyway, why would you care what they look like? They put out. It’s a guaranteed lay. The rest isn’t important.” Mike playfully punched him in the arm. “Consider it done and you can thank me later.”
“Sure, whatever. Sounds like a plan. Listen, I need to ask you a question and I don’t want you to get pissed or offended. Your cousin, Jace. Is he, you know…a fag?” Brandon braced himself to get blasted.
Mike shot him a strange look as he removed his baseball cap. “What makes you think that?”
“I dunno, man. It was a stupid question to ask and it’s totally none of my business if he is. For fuck’s sake, don’t tell him I asked you that.”
Mike shrugged. “He might be. He’s never had a girlfriend or shown interest in them. Lots of people are gay. It’s no big deal if he is or isn’t, and I won’t tell him that you asked me about it.”
“Thanks.”
“Jace is a little different. He’s always been that way. His dad’s death was extremely hard on him and his mom. He’s been more distant since it happened. I don’t ask him about it much because I figured he’d talk about it if he wanted to.”
“It sucks about his dad.” He paused. “So, yeah, I’m in for the weekend.”
“I’ll give you a shout later,” Mike said. “I gotta go. Mom will be bitching if I’m late getting home today. I have to mow the friggin’ lawn. It’s like a law around my house.”
****
“Nice car,” Jace said, as he fastened his seatbelt. He then opened his backpack and fished for his cell to call his mom, to tell her he wouldn’t be home straight from school.
“Thanks. It’s my mom’s, but she tends to use the Jeep more.” Preston smiled as he pulled out of the school’s parking lot. “Thanks for agreeing to come over and stuff. I’ve been meaning to ask you over for a while.”
Jace pointed to his cell. “My mom.” He heard her pick up on the other end. “Mom, yeah, I won’t be home until later. I’m heading to a friend’s house. Yup, I’ll grab something to eat…Bye.” He snapped the phone shut. “Done. You were saying?”
“I’m glad you agreed to come over.” Preston’s eyes stayed on the road ahead of them. “I thought you might be mad at me.”
Jace hadn’t been mad, he’d been downright pissed. “Not at all,” he lied. “I’m cool with everything. Stuff happens.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I was a little worried that you tell me to screw off. We’ll go through the drive thru at Mickey D’s. My treat.”
Preston was being extra nice. It was quite the change of heart since their little sexploration together. “Great, man. I’m starved.” Jace glanced out the passenger’s side window at some kids playing basketball as they passed a park. “Nice weather.”
“And a fantastic summer, I hope. It would suck if the weather turned out to be crap since this will be my last here at home for a bit.”
“College?” Jace questioned.
“I think I want to be a doctor. I’m checking it all out and weighing my options.”
“Like your dad.” Preston’s father was a well-known family physician in the area.
“I guess. That’s one heck of a scary thought, but some say that we all turn into our parents at some point in our lives. Again, scary thought.”
Jace thought about his dad and how his life ended. “True enough.”
After they’d picked up food, Preston turned down one side street and then another not far from the restaurant. The last street was lined with matured trees, flowery shrubs and sprawling driveways that led to rather grand houses. He pulled into one of those driveways and announced they were there.
Preston unlocked the front
door and held it open for Jace. “We can eat upstairs in my room,” he directed, slipping his jacket off and kicking off his sneakers. “Mom has a fit if I wear them in the house.” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t know why she cares, since the maid’s in three times a week and does all the work.”
“Moms are hard to figure out. I don’t bother to try anymore.” Considering how many hours Jace’s mom spent locked in her bedroom, he’d given up on trying to understand her.
They went upstairs and when they reached Preston’s room, they both sat on the edge of the unmade bed and started to eat. “Gotta love the fries,” Jace said, putting two in his mouth. “Nice and salty.”
I shouldn’t be eating this crap,” protested Preston. “It isn’t good for you. Did you see that documentary where the dude ate it for a solid month? Man, that was gross!”
“Nope, didn’t see it, but I heard about it.”
“You have to watch it sometime. It’ll turn you off from this stuff.” Preston held up his burger.
“Says you who is just about to devour it.” Jace smirked at his cleverness. One up for him.
“I’m not making a good point, am I?” Preston took a big bite. “It tastes great.” He swallowed, his eyes wide with amusement.
God, he’s so cute, thought Jace.
When they’d finished, Preston fished out his notebook from his bag along with a pen. “On with the work,” he said. “I want to make a splash with this yearbook. Something that we’ll have to remember our years together as a class. Do you have any ideas?”
“Not a clue.” Jace was honest. “Most won’t care anyway.”
“True,” Preston agreed. He tossed his pen and notebook on the floor. Their eyes locked for a moment. “Jace, can I ask you something?”
