Noah’s dad wants me to meet with the owner of the New York Cougars? Something tells me he’s not doing it outta the goodness of his heart. With one phone call, the strings have already been attached. It’s just a matter of how long they are.
But it’s New York. Some strings might be worth it.
I listen to the message another time and take down the number. Then I make the call.
Chapter Eighteen
Noah
Hanging out with Jet makes me realize something. All those times my friends have called me an entitled asshole and I’ve shrugged them off because I know deep down I’m nothing like my father, I never once realized they were telling the truth and I was too entitled to see it.
This nineteen-year-old kid knows more about the real world than I do.
I’m not an idiot. I know there are homeless people everywhere—I’ve read the stats on them and seen them begging on the streets. But as Jet rambles like an ADD kid without his meds that if he hadn’t found Matt he would’ve been well and truly screwed, it’s crazy to me how close he became to being a statistic.
“Why couldn’t you have stayed in your hometown?” I ask.
“The guy I was hooking up with is in the closet, so moving in with him would’ve been suspicious. Plus, I don’t think we even liked each other very much. Don’t got a lot of prospects in Shitsville, Tennessee. Char lives in a tiny trailer with her boyfriend and is about to pop a kidlet. Not to mention Mom and Dad would disown her too if she helped me out. I had a few friends, but none I was close enough to be all ‘Hey, I got kicked out for liking dick. Can I crash on your couch indefinitely?’”
I can’t help laughing. “You certainly have a colorful way of coming out to people. What would’ve happened if you couldn’t find Matt?”
“There’s this forum online, and I got in contact with a few guys in the city. Thought I could crash with them until I figured out what to do. I spent what money I had on trying to get here.”
“You were going to stay with guys you met online? Did your parents never teach you about stranger danger?” What am I saying? From what they’ve both told me, Matt’s parents did nothing to teach anything. Except how to hold a football so Matt’s gay stops showing.
“It’s not like that.” Jet takes out his phone, opens the forum, clicks on a thread titled Rainbow Beds, and holds it up to my face. “People who have a spare bed or couch post availability in here, and anyone who needs a place to stay after getting kicked out can find somewhere to crash. Kinda like Airbnb but gayer.”
Either I’m a pessimistic bastard or Jet’s more naïve than I thought. “Still sounds like a great way to get locked in a basement and have someone wear your skin as a body suit.”
“Nice image. The hosts probably aren’t heavily vetted, but there’s a lot of people who have no other option.”
“Can I look?”
Jet hands me his phone, and as I scroll through the threads, I feel like the biggest dick in the world. I live in a four-bedroom townhouse alone … well, I will when Matt and Jet leave. If they leave. I sigh. I really don’t want them to leave.
But here are people who live in studio apartments offering up a couch, a pull-out futon, or even a floor for people in need.
It’s dangerous, sure, but the idea behind it is inspiring. With the right backing, the proper channels …
“Why can I see an imaginary lightbulb above your head?” Jet asks.
“This is brilliant. It should be something bigger than a thread on a tiny forum. With some money behind the idea—”
“Key word being money. You’re forgetting that shit doesn’t grow on trees.”
“You and Matt are so cute. I swear to God.” They’re really oblivious to how much money I have.
“Cute?” Jet asks. “You better not be hitting on me. Not only are you with my brother, you’re, like, super old.”
“Fuck you very much. Twenty-six is not old, and I’m not trying to fuck you. I’m in love with your brother, jackass.” My eyes widen. “Don’t tell him I said that.” Why did I say that?
That wasn’t supposed to come out of my mouth. It’s not even supposed to be a thought in my head.
I try to convince myself it’s part of the act. Yup. That’s all it is.
Part. Of. The. Act.
“You haven’t told him?” Jet asks. “Didn’t you say it in that interview for that magazine?”
My heart races. “There’s something you need to know about Matt’s and my relationship.”
I don’t know what’s the truth and what’s a lie anymore. This started as a business arrangement, but it’s changed into so much more. I care for him. I want the best for him. But that’s not me. That’s all I have to think to have the reality check that this is all fake.