Corey’s face started turning red. “No, she did, and she shouldn’t be making fun of my relationship when hers is the real joke. She’s pregnant to a guy that fucks anything and everything.”
“Dante does not!” Beth snapped.
“Oh, yes, he does, I’ve seen him fucking Kara.”
“Corey!” their mother gasped.
“And he wuzn’t wearing a condom, so she’s pro’bly pregnant too.”
Beth covered her mouth, horrified by his words, the thought that Kara could be pregnant never crossing her mind, and if the woman was, she could lose Dante to her.
“Corey, that was cruel,” their mother said.
“But it’s true, and at least Sledge is faithful to me. And it’s unfair that I can’t hug and kiss him without people staring at us like we’re a freak show, but Beth can do whatever the hell she likes with a guy who can’t keep his dick in his pants.”
“Corey, you better stop now,” their mother growled, “or I won’t take you to see Sledge.”
He went to open his mouth, then clamped it shut, his glare still on Beth. She stared back, what he’d said cutting her, but instead of yelling, she turned and headed for the door.
Their mother ran after her. “I’m sorry, Beth. He’s just upset; he didn’t mean to be so cruel.”
Beth continued walking.
Her mother grabbed her arm as she reached the front door. “Wait, Beth, I want to take you to your appointment.”
Beth pulled her arm free. “I’m not sharing a car with Corey.”
“Just ignore him and sit up front with me. I’ll make sure he keeps quiet, or I won’t take him to see Sledge.”
“No! I don’t wanna be anywhere near him! He has no right to insult my relationship when his is so wrong.”
Her mother frowned. “His relationship with Sledge isn’t wrong.”
“How can you say that? It’s a sin.”
“Stop talking rubbish, Beth. Sledge is a lovely boy, and if he makes Corey happy, I’m happy. Just like if Dante makes you happy, I will be happy too, no matter what my misgivings are.”
“Corey still can’t date a guy, and Sledge can’t be gay, I’ve seen him with girls.”
“Sledge is bisexual, and he loves your brother very much, so stop this now. I’ve had enough of your father going on about it.”
Beth’s eyebrows shot up. “He already knows?”
“Not about Sledge. He only knows that Corey’s gay. It’s why Corey left a few months back.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?!” Beth yelled, jabbing at her own chest.
“Corey didn’t want to after your father blew up.”
“So, everyone lied to me, kept me in the dark?”
“It wasn’t my decision to make.”
Beth looked at the passageway door as Corey hobbled out on his crutches. Images of Corey and Sledge kissing popped into her head, not something she’d ever seen or ever wanted to, but she thought in pictures, and right now she wanted to throw the picture at Corey. “You’re disgusting,” she spat.
Corey’s face darkened. “Am not!”
“The church says what you do is wrong.”
“No, they’re wrong.”
She turned for the door, not interested in talking with him. She’d always thought he was sweet, that he was the good one out of her brothers, but she’d been wrong.
“Beth, wait,” their mother said. “I want to take you to the hospital.”
She spun around. “No, take Corey to see his boyfriend, so he can sin with him.”
“Beth! Stop being a hypocrite.”
“I can get married before the baby is born, but he can’t get married to Sledge or have babies with him.”
“No kidding, you stupid bitch!” Corey yelled. “Two dicks don’t make a baby, only a stupid cunt who fucks man-whores with a condom allergy.”
“Corey!” their mother yelled. “I can’t believe you just said that!”
Corey’s face fell. “I’m sorry, Mum, I didn’t meana say it, she just makes me so angry. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not stupid!” Beth snapped. “You’re the stupid one who sins with a guy. You should be with Juliet, not Sledge,” Beth said, referring to Sledge’s twin sister.
“I like the D, okay? And even if I went with a chick, it’s not like I could get them pregnant. I’m sterile cos of my cancer treatment.”
“You can still have babies,” their mother said. “Remember we got your sperm frozen.”
“Mum!” Corey yelled. “Don’t say that, it’s not right.”
Beth shook her head. “No, you’re not right.”
He screwed up his face. “Piss off then, cos I don’t wanna see you if you think I’m a freak.”
“No,” their mum said, now looking panicked. “He doesn’t mean that.”
“Yes, he does,” Beth replied. “And right now, I don’t wanna see him either. I almost sacrificed myself for him, all cos I thought Ant would hurt him, but he pro’bly would’ve liked what Ant wanted. Ant did say Corey got hard when he touched him. Now I know he’s gay, I realise Ant wuzn’t lying.”
Corey’s face dropped. “I hate you.” He turned and disappeared into the passage.
“Beth!” their mother yelled. “That was a horrid thing to say. That man tormented and hurt your brother, yet you defend him not Corey?”
“I didn’t defend him; I’m just sayin’ that Corey obviously isn’t tellin’ the whole truth.”
Her mother’s face hardened. “If you weren’t my daughter, I would slap you.”
“So ... you would slap me, but not him? He lied ’bout what happened with that horrible man.”
“He didn’t lie, that man tried to force him.”
“He’s gay.”
“That doesn’t make one iota of a difference, and I didn’t take you for a stupid girl, Beth, but right now what you’re saying is beyond stupid. I’m very disappointed in you; I brought you up better than this.”
“He’s the gay one.”
“I’d rather have a gay son than a bigoted daughter!”
Beth went still, her mother’s words slapping her in the face more than her hand ever could. “I did nuthin’ wrong.”
“If you think that, my girl, you have a lot to learn.”
Beth pointed at the passage. “Why can’t you see what he’s doin’ is wrong?”
Her mother’s face turned red, her eyes flashing with anger. “You just told your own brother that he wanted to be sexually abused and assaulted by a monster. That is wrong!”
“This is not about Ant; it’s about Corey being sick.”
Her mother shook her head. “I can’t talk to you anymore, and I don’t want you back in this house until you apologise to Corey.”
“Mum!”
“Don’t mum me. You come here, telling me you’re pregnant with a man who is known to sleep around, yet you judge Corey? No wonder he didn’t want to tell you. I was just too ignorant to see how selfish and bigoted you are.”
“Mum, you don’t mean that,” Beth said, wanting to cry.
“Yes I do, so leave, Beth.”
“You’re s’posed to take me to the hospital.”
“Now Dante is home, you can get him to take you.”
“But I want you there.”
“I can’t.” Her mother wiped her eyes. “Because I’ll be taking my son to see his lovely boyfriend.”
Beth went stiff, not believing her mother would talk to her like this. “He wuz always your favourite.”
Her mother shook her head. “Don’t try to guilt-trip me, just leave and, as you drive to the hospital, think about every horrible thing that has come out of your mouth.”
“I won’t, cos I spoke God’s truth.” Gutted, Beth turned and headed out of the house, willing herself not to cry, because no matter what her mother had said: she wasn’t in the wrong, Corey was.
8
Corey
Corey’s mother steered her station wagon into the hospital car park and
pulled on the brake. She got out and went to help Corey out of the front passenger seat. She leaned him against the car and handed him the crutches. Corey went to move, but she took hold of his face, stopping him. “You are perfect in every way, baby boy, and if anyone tells you differently they are wrong.”
Corey closed his eyes, his heart hurting over how Beth had acted. He loved Sledge with all his heart, yet she thought that love was disgusting.
His mother kissed his forehead. “Let’s go see Sledge; he’ll make you feel better.”
Corey opened his eyes and nodded, still too upset to speak. On the ride over, his mother had talked continuously, trying to cheer him up, giving him her support, as well as criticizing and saying she was disappointed in Beth. He didn’t say a word, just nodded at everything she’d said, but it didn’t change a thing: his sister said he was wrong, something he’d fought so hard not to think himself.
They walked silently alongside each other to Middleton’s entrance, the big white building reaching for a clear blue sky. They headed through the sliding doors and passed the reception desk, where lilac-clad nurses answered questions. They continued on, the line of yellow seats filled with patients waiting to been seen by the doctors. They took the elevator to the third floor and walked down the corridor, Corey keeping his head low. He looked up as they neared Sledge’s room, his mood lifting at the thought of seeing his boyfriend. But it plummeted right back down as he entered the room. Sledge was sitting up in bed, wearing a blue hospital smock. His hard face was a furious red and his dark eyes blazing. He was swearing at a nurse, anger and frustration twisting his features.
Corey’s mother rushed forward. “What’s happening?”
The nurse turned to her, the pudgy middle-aged woman looking flustered. “He’s refusing to allow me to take him to the shower. He won’t go unless he can walk there on his own, but he can’t walk that far without help. He’s also been disturbing the other patients to the point where we’ve had complaints. The doctor’s talking about moving him to another unit, where they are better equipped to deal with his condition.”
“What do you mean by condition?” Corey asked, his eyes moving to his boyfriend. Sledge dropped his gaze, avoiding eye contact with Corey, looking like he was embarrassed.
The nurse continued, “He’s been talking loudly to himself. When the other patients ask him to be quiet, he becomes verbally abusive. As a result, the doctor has set an appointment for a psychological assessment.”
“He’s not crazy,” Corey snapped.
“I didn’t say he was; I just said he needs an assessment. From what the other patients have said, it sounds like he’s talking to someone that’s not here. It may be his medication or it could be from the gunshot wound. At the moment, we’re examining all aspects, because usually his type of medication doesn’t cause what he’s been doing.”
“But he wuz fine two days ago,” Corey said. “What’s changed?”
“Nothing’s changed; other than he’s becoming more verbally abusive. He acts up when you’re not here. He’s also been causing the physiotherapist trouble, insisting he can do more than his body can handle.”
“Stop talkin’ ’bout me?!” Sledge snapped. “Just fuck off; I’m sick of the sight of you.”
Corey turned to Sledge. “You’re sick of me?” he said, his heart sinking.
Sledge shook his head vigorously. “Hell no! I meant that fat bitch.”
“Sledge!” Corey’s mother barked. “Apologise.”
“No.”
“If you don’t apologise this instant, I’ll be taking Corey straight home.”
“But you can’t!”
“I can and I will, unless you learn some manners pretty fast.”
“But it’s not my fault she’s a bitch.”
“Sledge!” She took hold of Corey’s arm. “Last warning.”
Sledge pulled a face. “So-rry.”
“Not to me, to the nurse. Also, say it with meaning and less attitude.”
“I can’t if I’m only doin’ it to keep Corey here. That’s blackmail!”
“Sledge.”
He grunted, his eyes spitting venom at Corey’s mother. But instead of answering back, he turned his dark glare on the nurse. “I’m sorry for calling you a bitch twice. Happy now?”
Exhaling, the nurse turned to Corey’s mother. “Thank you. I’ll inform the doctor of what’s happened. Good luck.” She left the room.
Corey turned to his mother. “Can I be with Sledge alone for a bit?”
His mother frowned. “As long as you talk some sense into him, because if he keeps acting this way, I won’t bring you back.” Her gaze moved to Sledge. “The nurses are here to help you, not to get insulted. I know what it’s like to have to deal with ungrateful and rude patients, and I will not tolerate seeing you treat anyone like this again. Do you hear me, Sledge?”
Sledge mumbled under his breath.
“Do. You. Hear. Me?!”
“Yes,” Sledge grunted. “But she—”
“I don’t want to hear excuses. She was trying to help your ungrateful behind. End of story.”
Sledge cast his eyes down, mumbling: “Sorry.”
“I wish your apology to the nurse had held the same sincerity. Now, I will go find her and apologise again for your bad behaviour.” She turned to Corey. “I’ll make myself scarce for half an hour. If you need me, call my mobile.”
Corey nodded. “Okay. Thanks, Mum.”
She touched his cheek. “You’re welcome, sweetie.”
As she left the room, Corey headed over to Sledge’s side.
Sledge patted the mattress. “Climb onto the bed.” Unlike his older brothers, Ash and Dante, Sledge was much harsher-looking, his face rougher and his complexion darker. Sledge had recently found out that Ash and Dante were cousins, not brothers. Sledge and his twin sister had been adopted into the family when they were babies, their mother having died shortly after they were born.
Sledge patted the bed again. “Stop pissing about and get up here.”
Corey glanced at the neighbouring bed, where a woman was visiting her husband. The couple were casting sideways glances at him and Sledge. It made him wonder whether they were disapproving of him like Beth had or were just wary of Sledge.
“I can’t,” Corey said, refocusing on Sledge.
“Why not?”
“I can’t climb on the bed, cos of my moon boot.”
“You did it last week.”
“That wuz in a different ward.”
“What difference does that make?”
“There are people here.”
“So?”
“They’ll see us.”
“I don’t care.”
“I do.”
Sledge’s face hardened. “Are you ashamed of me?”
“Of course not, I already told ja that, but you hafta understand that you can’t do certain things in front of other people.”
“I just wanna hug and kiss you. What’s so wrong with that?”
Corey’s gaze shot to the man and woman again, this time noticing their looks were disdainful. He dropped his gaze. “We just can’t do that here.”
“Then I wanna go home.” Sledge slung his legs over the side of the bed, looking like he was going to get up.
Corey moved closer. “Don’t, Sledge, you can’t walk far.”
“Get me a wheelchair, then.”
“You’re not allowed to leave.”
“I’m eighteen, so they can’t stop me. So, get me a wheelchair.”
“I can’t, I’m on crutches. I can’t push it.”
Sledge turned his head to the woman visiting her husband. “Can you get me a wheelchair?”
She ignored him, her gaze now worried.
“Oi! You. I asked if you could get me a wheelchair.”
“I don’t work here,” the lady said, not looking at Sledge.
“That makes no difference; just get me a goddamn wheelchair so I can leave.”
“I
’ll ask a nurse.” She got up and left the room.
“I don’t want another fuckin’ nurse,” Sledge hollered, “just a bloody wheelchair.”
“Sledge, calm down,” Corey said, now wishing his mum had stayed. He pulled out his mobile phone and dialled her number.
Sledge’s gaze moved back to Corey. “Who are you calling?”
“My mum.”
“Get her to get me out of this shithole. I’ve had it.”
Corey nodded, waiting for his mum to answer. When she picked up, he spoke quickly, telling her to come straight back, that Sledge wanted to leave. He hung up, then refocused on Sledge. “We’ll take you back to my place.”
“Our place, you mean,” Sledge said.
“No, I had to move out cos of my injuries. I’m back with my parents.”
Sledge’s face fell. “But, I liked that place. Where’s my sis gone?”
“She’s moved back in with Ash.”
“But, what ’bout my stuff? You can’t just give up the place without tellin’ me.”
“We were gonna be kicked out anyway. We couldn’t pay the rent without Naf’s income.”
“But I liked that house,” Sledge said, looking visibly upset.
Corey placed his crutches against the bed and leaned in to hug Sledge. Sledge put his good arm around Corey and hugged him back, making Corey’s heart melt. Sledge had tried to save him from Ant, now it was his turn to protect Sledge.
“I’ll ask my mum if you can move in with me,” Corey said.
Sledge pulled back, his frown now replaced with a look of hope. “Will she let me?”
“Pro’bly,” it’s just Dad I’m worried about. Corey turned his head as his mother returned with the same nurse and a thirty-something male doctor.
“What’s happened?” she asked.
“Sledge wants to leave,” Corey said.
“That’s not a good idea,” the doctor answered.
“I don’t care, I’m goin’,” Sledge snapped. “I’m eighteen, so you can’t stop me.”
“I know, but I’m only thinking about your wellbeing, Mr. Rata.”
“I just can’t take bein’ here another second. I’m a man, not a baby who needs people undressing me. I also don’t want some old chick perving at my body, it’s gross.”
Behind the Secrets (Behind the Lives #4) Page 8
