Falling into You - Puppy for Sale 2 - 1. The Dream that won't Die

"Brian, you're hurting me, Brian, please, oh my God!"

"Daddy, Daddy, stop hurting Mummy... Mummy, I'm scared, please?"

"Fucking bitch... This how you show respect, the fucking things I've done for you and that parasite of yours!”

“Brian, you're pulling my hair out, BRIAN!!! Oh my God, what are you doing? Is that… what? What have you got...what...what are you doing, Bria? That’s a gun...Brian pleas...

BANG!

~

"Jensen... Jensen!"

"WHOA... Shit, fuck..." I sprang upright, panting!

"You're safe; hey, wake up... you're safe," Steven said, shaking me. I opened my eyes, seeing him sitting on the edge of my bed, before pulling me into his arms and holding me, it seemed. I slowly came around. "Fuck man, you're soaked!"

"What?" I replied, disoriented. "Shit, where am I?"

"In your room, it's okay; it was just a nightmare; you’re safe."

Tears were falling down my cheeks, and I held on to Steven's reassuring tight hug as I gently wept, keeping my eyes firmly shut.

"That dream again?" Steven asked, gently rocking me back and forward.

"Yep!" I sighed, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "What time is it?"

"Just after five am, I think? Hey shhhhh, dry your eyes, you're fine, it's not real."

“Why are you in here? Shit, I hope I didn't wake anyone, did I?”

“It’s fine; I needed a piss and heard you. I know this keeps happening, but it’s not real okay?”

I took in his reassurance but felt troubled that actually, it was real because it happened! I slowly moved out of Steven's grasp and into a more reclined position. The dream... or nightmare, hung around in my brain long after I'd watched the repeat in full Technicolour. It's never changing storyline, crushing me the way it always did. It looped and meandered through my memories like a possession that could not be exorcised. Like a scar you get as a young kid, never changing as you grow, never altering or fading—just the same, just constant. I glanced up at Steven, his lips pursed. He had a protective frown etched onto his head.

I, uh... I need a piss. Will you stay with me for a while?"

"Sure, I'll go get us some water", Steven replied, moving off my bed allowing me to get up and off of it myself. I squeezed the back of his neck as I walked past and headed for the door of my large, sparsely furnished room. The landing outside was pitch black, and I was conscious no one else was awake, judging by the silence that was ringing in my ears. I carefully pressed down on the door handle to the toilet, with the spring inside creaking. Waving around with my free hand, searching for the switch just outside, I eventually found it and went inside.

"Fuck!" I whispered before pushing off the sink I'd been gripping and walking over to the toilet, and letting my bladder empty. I was almost finished when there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Puppy, is that you in there?" Mum asked from the other side.

"Yeah, be out in a sec," I replied quietly, aware Max was asleep still. At least I hoped he was.

I didn't bother to flush before pulling the door ajar and seeing the outline of a warm smile looking at me in the darkness. "You okay button, I heard noises... you were shouting in your sleep?"

She pushed the door slow and gentle. I felt my shoulders relax as I let her hug me. "Yeah, just a bad dream; Steven came and woke me."

"Same one?"

I nodded but didn't say anything. Steven appeared at the top of the landing with two glasses of water and caught sight of Mum and me standing outside the bathroom. He let his under forearm rest on the bannister, keeping the full glasses steady.

"Is Dad up?" he whispered.

"Not yet no, I just got up as I heard Puppy shouting and thought I'd check on him."

"Why don't you go back to bed Mum, I got this," Steven announced, gesturing me to follow him back to my room with a flick of his chin.

"Okay, boys, you both try to get back to sleep, yes? So no putting the TV on, there is still some quality nighttime to be had, okay?"

We both nodded, and I followed Steven back to my room, hearing Mum shut her door as we walked in. I clambered back onto my bed while Steven closed the door and put the two glasses of water on my bedside table. He then proceeded to go over to my drawers and pull out a fresh t-shirt and pair of boxers.

"Here." He said, throwing them in my direction. Get changed and get that sweaty stuff in the wash bin.

"Thanks," I replied, managing a slight smile of gratitude. I stood up and took off my now damp t-shirt and pulled the fresh one over my torso before exchanging my old boxer shorts with new ones. Steven sat down on my bed, a concerned look on his face.

"You know it's three times this week, don't you?"

I nodded. "Exactly the way I remember it when I was five." Steven went around to the other side of my double bed and got under the duvet. "What are you doing?" I asked, a sideways grin appearing on my face.

"You said you wanted me to stay with you, so I'm being a good Brother and doing as you asked. Now get back in bed; it’s chilly, the heating doesn't come on for another 2 hours."

"Okay."

I did as I was asked and slid myself under the covers. Switching my lamp off, it immediately plunged the room into darkness again, the sun not due up for hours yet. As Steven lay next to me, I shuffled over towards him. Seeing a faint outline of his head, I could make out he was lying on his back. I gently placed my head on his left pec and wrapped my right arm around his stomach, enjoying the warm heat radiating off him. A few seconds later, I felt a hand come to rest on my rib cage, causing me to sigh through my nose.

"Better?" He asked as I listened to the slow rhythmic beat of his heart.

"Better," I replied, barely a whisper. "Oh, and Stevie?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Thanks!"

I felt the expression on his face change on the back of my head, knowing he'd just formed a smile. Then, content, I fell back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

The actual morning seemed to come around abruptly as my alarm rang out, waking me from a somewhat more pleasant dream. I awoke to an empty room and banged my fist on the large 'OFF' button, putting an end to the unpleasant noise bouncing off my eardrums. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up before shuffling towards the edge of the bed. Greeting me was a lifeless monochrome day. Heavy grey clouds hung in the air as I walked over and opened my blinds. "Yuk!" I said to myself, rubbing circles on my stomach under my t-shirt.

Turning on my heels, I walked towards my door and slowly opened it. Steven's room was opposite mine down the hallway. It was like we had identical wings of the large detached house. Pressing my head against the sharp edge of the door while hanging on the handle on the other side, I put my hand up, greeting Steven. He caught me watching, putting on his navy blue school tie, adjusting it in his bedroom mirror, which hung just inside.

"Sleep okay, Shithead?" His morning greeting came. He waved back.

"In the end," I replied. "Why are you getting dressed so early?"

"I'm meeting Jessie and his new girlfriend at the park; you wanna come?"

"Nah, I think Hunter is knocking for me. So uh... I'll see you at school?"

"You will," he heaved, pulling his blazer on and heading downstairs. I went back into my room and closed the door before digging out my uniform from the closet, along with an ice-white winter puffer jacket. I put out everything on the bed. Then grabbing my bathrobe, I headed to the bathroom and took a leak before plodding downstairs myself.

I walked through the kitchen, into the dining room to see Susan and Max chatting at the table. "Steven gone already?" I asked, thinking it seemed quiet.

Max looked up. "Morning Puppy, yeah, he just literally left."

"On an empty stomach, I might add," Susan remarked, shaking her head. "That boy! So did you boys have a good chat last night? I noticed Steven stayed with you for a while. You know that boy of mine surprises me each day. He can be such a rascal but so thoughtful at times.”

“Yeah, he got into bed with me, and he just stayed there. It was nice of him. And you’re right, Mum, he does have a mushy side, even if he will die before admitting it.”

"Yeah, I was going to ask. So, erm, your mother says you had your nightmare back last night... that right?" Max asked, looking up from his newspaper.

"Yeah, it's getting more frequent, and it scares the shit out of me! Sorry Mum," I replied, guilty-looking. She just smiled at me.

"You wanna talk about it?" Dad asked, twisting himself around before pulling me towards him by the cloth belt on my robe. "C'mon, tell your old man!"

"It's ever since we moved for some reason. I know that sounds stupid, but it's the only thing that's changed. I try to snap myself out of it, but it's like the dream itself pulls me in, forcing me to watch over and over."

"Maybe it's the direction you're laying in? Thought about moving your bed?" Dad asked, smiling at me.

"Huh?"

"Oh Max, that's one of your old wives tales. Puppy, your Dad thinks that you should have the head of your bed facing north for the best sleep and dreams."

"It's true; I read it on..."

"The internet, yes Max, exactly!" Mum cut in, waving away his theory. "Puppy, I think what you might need is to see a trauma Counsellor if this carries on, sweetheart."

"Great, more shrinks! I got enough of those at Greenstone; I dunno what else there is to say to the people. Anyway, I'm hungry," I grunted.

I pulled away from my Dad and went into the kitchen, pulling out some cereal and a bowl before padding back to the dining room and sitting down. I grabbed the milk that was already out and drenched my cornflakes, tucking in immediately without replacing the cap.

"You want a lift to school, Son; It looks like it's going to pour down any minute?"

"Naa, thanks, Dad, but Hunter is knocking for me, and we're gonna brave it and walk... he normally brings his umbrella anyway, and I'll take one today, just in case."

"Hmm, ok, well, the offer is there for both of you if you want," he said, quickly losing himself in the paper he was already half-reading again when I spoke.

“Oh, Puppy, I meant to say to you. How did you fancy going to the art store to get some pictures for those bare walls of yours? We’ve been in this new house for a few months now, and you haven't decided how you want it yet?”

“Oh, sure, cool.”

“What are you into at the moment? I know this changes like the wind at your age, but….”

“Abstract.” I cut in, putting my spoon down.”I saw this guy on the internet who just flicks paint onto canvas, calls it art and then charges hundreds of pounds for it.”

“Puppy, what’s this, my Son? Do I detect the first-ever hint of sarcasm falling from your mouth?” Dad said, grinning.

I giggled bashfully. “Well, it’s true. Anyway, in all seriousness, I kinda like forests or big cats.”

“Big cats?” Mum asked, looking confused.

“Yeah, like lions and panthers… that kind of thing.”

“Okay,” she sighed. “Well, let’s make a date for one day at the weekend.”

“Cool,”

Dad gulped down the last of his tea. “Hmm, honey, I need to be off, don’t forget the window cleaner is coming today. Oh, and could you pick up some shallots from the store for that dinner I was going to do tonight?”
“Sure, hey, do you know where my wedding ring is? I took it off to have a shower and can’t find it.”

“Check your other finger,” Dad said, starting to laugh.

“Oh my gosh, I’m such a Bonehead, as Steven would say.”

We all laughed, and Max headed out, ruffling my hair. Grrrrr! I carried on eating and poured the remaining milk and cornflakes into my mouth before getting up and placing my bowl in the dishwasher. I hooked up the washer door with the back of my heel and headed back upstairs to get ready, feeling slightly adrift after my restless night of sleep.

“I’m going to get ready,” I shouted out by the stairs.

“Okay, Button, remember to tuck your shirt in.”

“Will do.”

Switching on my tiny radio, I began the routine task of putting on my uniform, starting with the pressed white shirt that always seemed to be clean and ironed, next to my socks, new boxers and trousers. Then a quick trip to the bathroom to apply some product to my hair and body spray to my armpits. On the way back out to my room, my buttons are being done up on my shirt, and as the last button slinks in with one set of fingers, the other is grabbing the blazer that hangs on the back of my door. Next, I wander over to my full-length mirror to get a look at my progress. Then, dragging my tie from the bed behind me, I finish by flipping up my collar, whipping the tie over my head, fashioning it into a half Windsor knot. My collar is then flipped down, and with a slight adjustment, bam, job done.

Ding ding! My phone goes off, and I already think it's probably Hunter.

5 mins away x

Ok xxx

I reply before pulling on my winter jacket, grabbing the extra-large umbrella from the top of my chrome and mirror closet, and trotting downstairs. I grab my keys from the hook in the reception room, kiss the mother, sling my bag over my shoulder, and I am out the door. God, I'm getting good at these Steven grade speed mornings!

Just no shower, bah, there's always tonight!

"Hey handsome, you look good," Hunter said, walking up the driveway and pulling me into a headlock, kissing my temple. "You ready? We might even beat the rain? Hmm, and you smell good too." I looked at him smiling and pecked a kiss on his lips as he released his grip on me.

"Morning, how are you?"

"I'm great, all the better for seeing you here; Happy Anniversary," he said, giving me a small brown bag.

"Huh? What anniversary?"

"Us, we've been an item for four months today... you going to open it or what?"

I dropped my head down. "Why shit, you make me feel bad now, I didn't even realise… and hey, why are we celebrating four months and didn't after three months?" I opened up the small brown bag and pulled out a miniature stuffed dog. The small toy held a board made of natural wood saying 'I love Puppy' on it.

I looked up at Hunter and saw him grinning proudly and planted another kiss on his plump red lips. "Where did you get this? I love it?" I asked, smiling from ear to ear at the cute dog in my hands. "And you didn't answer my question!"

"Whoa, easy tiger, one question at a time. So I have a confession," he said, giggling. "It might answer all of them."

"Ok, and am I gonna like this confession?"

"Well, I actually had this on order for like over a month, but they sold out on the internet, you know? I had it custom made. Anyway, so, uh, I had planned to give it to you for our three month anniversary, but instead, I hoped you wouldn't remember… which, I might add you didn't," Hunter remarked, clipping the back of my head.

"Hence the four-month," I replied, nodding.

"Hence the four-month," Hunter repeated, putting his arm around my waist and kissing me again.

In the last few months of knowing Hunter properly, he had developed what mum called a 'growth spurt' and now easily passed the six-foot mark. I recently realised I now had to stand on tiptoes to kiss his forehead as my structure stubbornly stayed the same. Luckily he still retained his overall broadness, and of course, he still held on to that trademark definition. Being with him felt safe, and I liked his effortless heavy-handedness with me sometimes. Like those times, he would often unconsciously pull me in roughly for a kiss or a hug. Feeling that strength he used, but didn't know sometimes, was a massive attraction for me. He had become my protector, and he fiercely defended me.

"Careful, we're almost on the main high street," I said, feeling uneasy at our tactile contact in busy areas. Hunter dropped his hand from around my waist and pulled an upset face, turning his bottom lip over. "Oh, don't look like that, you know what happened last time."

"Yeah, and the mouthy shit picked on the wrong couple, right?"

"But it still wasn't a nice experience watching you do that to him," I replied, reminding us both of when Hunter punched this kid in the street, giving him a black eye for making fun of us in front of his friends. Friends that ran off and left him to get the angry side of Hunter.

We continued our walk up the main High Street, which contained all manner of shops before the road forked off, and we entered a park walkway, which would take us to school. "I am so glad you moved; this is such a shorter journey to you from my house," Hunter remarked as we took the half-mile final stretch to school along the footpath, full of blackberry bushes and marshland on either side.

"I'm glad we moved too; I’m further away from Dave's house."

"Well, there is that as well as a bonus. So you gonna tell me what's on your mind, or do I have to wait until you call me at one am in tears again?"

"What? Oh, it's nothing, I just had a nightmare last night, and it's lingering around in my mind."

"Theee nightmare?"

"You got it," I sighed, hanging my fingers inside his trouser belt, my hand sort of round his waist. "Anyway, let's talk about something else. When are you getting your braids done?"

"Oh, well, my cousin is coming this Friday night to do them. Are you sure you want me to get them done? I'm gonna look a lot different, you know? I wouldn't wanna put you off me."

I laughed. "You think I would be put off that beautiful face because of your hair, and besides, I've seen the pictures Hunter, I think you're gonna Look hot! Of course, you’ll have that whole Viking look going on, right?"

"I guess, but I'll never be as hot as you, Hot Dawg!!" We both laughed, heading through the school gates, with Hunter playfully chewing on my ear and slobbering. Ewww!

"Hey, boys," Cassy said, joining us at the gate. "You two look loved up!"

"Just today?" I replied before smiling, looking up at Hunter.

"Just, more loved up then," she said before announcing she had to report early to pick up her detention form, omitting any details of what this one was for. Hunter and I just smirked and walked over to the main entrance seeing Steven and Billy standing by the flagpole outside.

Hearing our fluttering school logo flag high above, we walked over to them. "Hey, guys, what are you two doing loitering?" Hunter asked.

"Waiting for fucking Jessie, he's late again because of that new girl he's with," Steven replied, looking at his watch. "We were both supposed to be signing up to the new football season yesterday and the Friday before, and he's let me down again."

"Well, why don't you go on your own," Hunter asked, shrugging.

"It was his idea for this winter term, and I ain't playing if he ain't; I want someone I know is good on my team!"

"Can you go at lunchtime?" I asked, seeing it as a reasonable question.

"Puppy, the B team is lunch registration. Do I look like a B team player?" I just shrugged, not knowing what he was talking about. "You guys better go; I’ve just seen Dave walk through the main gate," Steven said, looking off into the distance for a sign of Jessie instead, I suspected. Hunter pulled me in close to him and clamped his hand around my stomach, resting his chin between my shoulder blades.

"The more he creates, the more affection Puppy gets in front of him; it’s his choice. So let’s see what hurricane of verbal abuse we get this morning, shall we?" Hunter remarked. Steven looked exasperated by it all.

"Morning, everyone," Dave musically said. "Still haven't got a new toy yet then Hunter, still feeding off the remains of mine, I see."

Hunter shook his head and laughed. "The same answer you get every time, Dave; yes, I'm still fond of my same old toy, sorry!" Hunter gave me a rough kiss on the cheek to signal I was his… still!

Steven looked pissed. "Guys, knock it the fuck off, will ya! Trying to be friends with all of you pricks is like coming on to the set of Jerry Springer every day."

"God, who watches that anymore?" Dave replied before wandering off. "See you, Billy," was the only one he said goodbye to before skulking off through the main door.

"I'm sure he gets more camp every day," Hunter remarked, shaking his head.

~~~~~~~~~~
 

The room was full of the usual noise and banter in morning class registration while everyone waited for Mr Dawson, our tutor, to arrive. Hunter was leaning back in his chair on two legs, chewing gum. I could see his usual zoned-out expression as if just waiting until someone emotionally needed him. I discreetly ran my fingernail up his bare forearm, making a light whitish scratch. Turning to look at him, he was just smiling and staring into space. Now and again, he would flick some of his jet back hair out of his left eye before brushing it back. Fuck I loved him and could watch him all day. His slight body movements, the way he ran his fingers through his hair, his expression as he got lost somewhere in his mind.

It never got old, but would it?

"Okay, class, settle down...CLASS! Mr Boyle, stop talking, lad! " Mr Dawson banged his folder down on the desk, causing an instant silence to flood into the room. "Well, that's better, heavens, you're a lively bunch this morning... which I hope will lead to a productive day for you all. Now, when Hunter takes that gum out of his mouth, I will begin the roll call."

Everyone focused their eyes on Hunter, and in an act that is typically Hunter, he smiled at the class and stuck the piece of gum under the table before arrogantly leaning back on his chair again. He was daring anyone to say something with his eyes, daring anyone to embarrass him. I just laughed, causing him to giggle too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

I met Steven on the stairs with roll call done, and we headed up and along a busy corridor to our first lesson, English. Steven stopped me halfway down the corridor and pulled me into a quiet area outside a utility room.

"What's wrong?" I asked, seeing a rather stressed out Steven, his forehead creased.

"You and Dave need to sit down and thrash this out! This thing… whatever it is needs to stop between you three. It's ruining the… the, I dunno, the dynamic of the group."

"The dynamic, whaddya mean?"

"When was the last time we all went down to Cutters Farm as a fivesome? When was the last time we went to the park? When was the last time we did anything, laughed, talked, had banter? It's always you and Hunter now, with Dave miserable and Jessie feeling..."

"Jessie? He's got a new girl. How’s he different to me?"

"Just sort this shit out, and when you do it, leave your guard dog at home, yeah?"

I blew air through my lips as Steven walked off. "What the fuck was that all about?" I muttered, forcing my way through a tide of people trying to catch up with my Brother.

I went and found my usual seat next to Steven and placed my bag under my chair. He was already logging in to the Laptop while I just looked at him. "Can we be friends?" I asked with a snigger.

"I liked it better when you were single," Steven said, tapping away on the keyboard. "He's changed you, you know?"

"Where is all this coming from? You were fine this morning."

"Was I?" He asked, shooting me a prickly face.

I was just about to dig deeper into Steven's mood when our teacher walked in and closed the door. After that, everyone went quiet, which I guess had to include me.

"Is everyone logged on?" Mrs Bead asked in her distinct mousy high pitched voice.

"Yes, ma'am," said the class in unison.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

The rest of the day felt long and sickly. I spent lunch with Hunter, along with twenty minutes in the afternoon... in the middle of PE... in the toilets with him! We… actually no HE instigated a make-out session roughly in one of the stalls after catching me innocently going for a piss. We strolled out onto the football pitch, hoping that the softball teacher I had practice with didn't notice my absence. Hunter winked at me as I walked off to join the rest, and he blazingly lit up a cigarette on school grounds like it didn't matter before heading back off to his class to make an excuse I knew.

"Ok, punks, gather up the equipment and take it back to the storehouse," called the teacher, Mr Hatton. "Stibbings, a word please?" He shouted, walking over to me. "You were gone a long time. Don’t you think I was owed an explanation?"

I think I went a bit red. "Yeah, sorry Sir, I... I've had like these stomach issues and..."

"Okay, Jensen, I don't need the details. Just... just, well I was going to say let me know next time but... look, get packed up and try not to miss any of practice next time."

"Of course, Sir, I'm sorry."

"Well, on your way, lad, it's home time for you."

I helped clear up the dozen or so balls and bats and threw my share in the storehouse. Mr Batten came over and placed his key in the padlock, and I wandered off with the rest of the students back to the changing rooms to get out of my sports kit.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hunter and I were one of the last out of the gate as we waited for Cassy to finish her detention. We chatted for a while before her Dad turned up in an old white truck and took her home. Hunter grabbed me by the hood of my jacket and pulled me into him for more warmth as we headed out the gate towards the footpath. As I say, this was not only a kind of shortcut home for us both but also quiet, where we could be more tactile. Our walk was slow and lazy, and the light was starting to fade.

"Wanna talk about this dream?" Hunter asked, his arm draped around my shoulder.

I sighed. "It lingers, HT. And it's like I'm back there all over again."

"At home, with your Mum?"

I nodded. "It's the blood, Hunter. All that blood and the look on my Mum's face, it was... It was empty!"

"That's fucked up, Puppy."

"I dunno how, but that dream... that version... It's so accurate and perfectly preserved. And as much as I will myself to change it into something less gruesome or try and not have that version at all, it still gets me. It sucks, you know?"

Hunter kissed me on my hood, which was now up, and cupped me tightly. "Sounds like something trapped in a box with the key missing."

"Huh?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"Well, it's like a record with the needle thing. If you don't pull up the needle, the record just goes round and round. I think there is something buried deep inside your mind that your brain is trying to bring up and deal with, but it can't, so it keeps at it, replaying the event in your dreams, trying to understand it."

"Wow, you sound like my old Doctor. Where did you learn all that stuff?"

Hunter shrugged. "Meh, I read random things on the internet. Some stuff sticks, most of it doesn’t. When I was a little kid, I was much smaller, like a skinny ferret, and slightly different. I used to get bullied by other kids because my parents were poor, and I was going through a hard time finding myself. Sometimes I used to have the craziest scary dreams. Like one I remember where I was being pushed off this cliff by bigger boys, and as I fell, I used to wake up."

"Wow, I never knew that about you."

"There's lots about me you still don't know, Puppy and I, you. My life has lots of caverns to travel to see a picture of me. And you know, I think this version of me is the result of that past life."

"Meaning what?" I asked, slightly confused.

Hunter stopped and got me standing facing him. He pulled my hood down and stared deeply into my eyes. "Your Mum, right? She's gone... In a better place, in no pain and hopefully enjoying herself someplace nice. YOU are neither responsible nor should feel the guilt. I know you do." Hunter then pointed to his chest. "This... this version of me doesn't give a fuck. This version of me will never feel guilty or sad or responsible for the shit things other people do. You, or rather your soul, has got to let go, Puppy. Make a cut in your memories and separate that event from what you remember before. Make that cut and let the awful picture in your head not matter anymore."

"Is it that easy?" I asked, creasing my forehead.

"No, it's not, but I did it, and in time I got peace." He said cryptically before pulling up my hood again and yanked me into walking motion.

Almost home Bitch!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


“You wanna come in?” I asked Hunter as he stood at the bottom of my drive. “I got milkshake?”

“Ahhh, go on then, you twisted my arm.”

We walked through into the kitchen where Susan had just stepped in carrying one egg in her hand. “Puppy, you’re home. Oh, hi Hunter, how are you, Handsome.”

“I’m good, thanks, Mrs C, Just the one egg?”

“Winter! it plays havoc with the frequency. Take a seat; I’ll fix us some tea.”

“Oh, Mum, can we have some of that milkshake in the fridge? I kinda promised Hunter, or he said he would get rid of me to a dog home.”

Hunter laughed. Susan looked worried. “I said no such thing. Anyway, you said if I didn’t come in, you were going to disown me.”

Mum looked totally confused. “So which was it?” she asked, looking strangely at us both. We burst out laughing as I went to the fridge and pulled down two glasses.

“Mum, we’re just pulling your leg.” She frowned and started to run the egg under water as me and Hunter headed into the dining room and pulled up a chair alone.

“I thought we might go for a walk in a bit?”

“Yeah, we could do th….”

“Oh hey, Fellas,” max said, coming through the dining room carrying what looked like a ten-ton box.

“Oh jeez, Max, let me help you,” Hunter said, rushing up from his chair. “Damn, what’s in that thing? It’s well heavy.”

“It...its Puppy’s weights,” he panted. “The delivery guy left them out by the door.”

“Oh, I was waiting for those,” I said, watching as Hunter lowered the box assisting Dad.

Dad waved his hand down at me, puffing. “Yeah, you just sit there; we got this.”

“Oh, whoops, sorry, Dad. You both looked like you had it under control there.”

Dad stood up and straightened his back, grimacing as he did. “Wow, that knocked the shit out of me.”

“Max, language,” Mum called from the kitchen.

“BUSTED!” I called out, pointing.

“And you can take them up to your room, ahhh, busted,” Max replied, pulling a face at me. Hunter just smiled and picked up the box like it was empty. Just that action was fucking hot. I followed him upstairs and into my room.

“Anywhere?” he asked, looking round the room.

“In the corner there, I’ll unbox them later.”

He placed them down and turned around, allowing me to run my hands all over his torso, feeling all the contours under his shirt.

“You okay there?” he asked, looking down at my actions.

I smiled. “God, I just wanna eat you sometimes.”

“Well, don’t; you’ll ruin your carpet.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I’d got changed and jumped in the shower. Coming back to my bedroom, I saw Steven had come in and sitting on the end of my bed chatting to Hunter. Things sounded civil, which was a good start.

“I didn’t hear you come in,” I said, dropping my towel in exchange for boxers. “You okay?”

“I wanted to talk to you both,” Steven replied, waiting for me to get dressed.

“Steven was just saying we gotta kill this bullshit with Dave. I was explaining how much more difficult that is said than done. I did offer to kill in under cover of darkness, and Steven batted that idea out.”

“Oh my God, Hunter!” I exclaimed, shocked.

“I’m just kidding, Puppy; calm down.”

“Anyway getting back to the point. Any ideas how we solve this.”

“Well, I could dump Hunter and get back with Dave; that might work,” I said, shrugging.

“Can you both be fucking serious! My life is shit at the moment. I have you two to deal with, and then there is Dave and Jessie.”

“What about Billy?” I asked, adjusting my hair in the mirror which hung on my closet door.

“Billy? Nah, he don’t give a shit what’s going on around him. Anyway, he’s stoned most of the time, so what the hell.”

“Okay, Steven, How can we… or I put this right? You want me to have a chat with the guy?” Hunter asked, now sounding a little compassionate.

“And what does one of your chats involve?” Steven replied, tilting his head.

“I won’t hurt him, I promise. I won’t give him that satisfaction. I know he wants me to hit him so he can have me thrown out of school. That’s always been his plan; you know that, right, Steven?”

“Why would he want you thrown out of school?” I asked, frowning.

“Oh, connect the dots, Puppy. If I get thrown out of school, then you can’t be with me, and I can’t be with you for seven hours of the day. But what’s more, Dave can start saying how sorry he is it has come to this and how much of a good person he is. Dave to the rescue, Yadda yadda yadda. I’m not stupid!”

“Really?” I asked, surprised. “Steven? Do you agree with that?”

Steven rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Hunter. So now we’re in the realm of conspiracies?”

“It’s true, he wants me to hit him, and I can’t see another reason why.”

“Maybe he don’t want you to hit him. Perhaps he just wants to move on.”

“Now, who’s not being serious?” Hunter asked, smiling.

“Ahh, fuck this. I’m going for a shower,” Steven barked.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was eight o’clock, and I was lying on my bed watching TV after putting my weights together. Hunter had stayed for the stew Dad had cooked, with Max saying it was a secret recipe. Mum blew his cover though, saying it was out of a packet, much to Hunter’s amusement. Steven was grumpy all the way through and left the table as soon as he had finished the ice cream dessert we all had. Dad asked what was up with him and I explained the whole Dave saga to Mum and Dad, with Hunter mostly staying quiet. I think he was scared of Mum, which made me chuckle inside.

I’d been in my room for around forty minutes when Steven came in and slammed the door shut.

“I’m fucking seething, your boyfriend is impossible, and I am in my room trying to watch a movie, winding myself up.”

“I think he had a point though, with Dave wanted Hunter to hit him.”

“Whatever, Puppy. Look, you need to decide who is more important in your life because I can’t carry on like this. Dave is my friend, Jessie is my friend, and so is Billy. You were once quite happy in that group with us, and now it’s all fucked up because of….”

“Err, wait before you finish that sentence. As I have said from the very beginning, Hunter has done nothing wrong in all of this. Me and Dave were not together when Hunter asked me out, and Dave has been a prick since I ended things with him. So if you wanna blame someone, it’s me, not him.”

Steven ruffled his short hair in frustration. “So fucking sort it out then.”

“And do what, what can I do. Why don’t you speak to Dave? That might be a better way round. We have tried to reason with him. We have tried to stay out of his way. We have been nice, angry, thoughtful, apologetic, and nothing is working. While he goes around spouting his vile comments at Hunter, everyone blames us for the rift.”

Steven’s shoulders relaxed as his expression turned thoughtful.

“Fine, I will talk to him. And you’re right. Maybe I have been a bit hard on Hunter. I guess it’s my fault for putting you and Dave together.”

“No, Steven, that disaster was just life. I’ve had a lot of time to think about that, and in reality, it was doomed from the start. I was not remotely ready for a relationship. Hell, I just learned how to open a tin,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. Steven smirked, looking at me. I giggled a bit, making his smile wider.

“Yeah, Mum told me about the tin.” Steven shook his head, looking at the TV. “That fucking kid prison.”