Rentboy

be a calming influence. After
    deciding he had better explain to Eddie why Godfrey was there in the first place, he arrived ten
    minutes before two o’clock. He would tell Eddie they were going to have some counseling, and then
    Godfrey would arrive to facilitate it.
    It was boiling out. He really needed to stop slashing the hell out of his arms if for no other
    reason than to wear short sleeves on a day like this.
    The moment the door opened, Eddie looked into his eyes and said, “What do you want? You
    look like a vampire.”
    The long-sleeved black shirt with lace at the cuffs and running down the front was reminiscent of
    a vampire, especially when worn with black skinny jeans and knee-high riding boots. “I know. Can
    we talk?”
    “I talk. You lie.” Eddie looked him up and down. “Aren’t you hot?” Eddie wore shorts, his
    skinny, hairy legs so pale they looked like warning lights.
    “Yeah, I’m fucking boiling, but let me tell you, Eddie, shorts with socks and lace-up shoes are a
    fashion disaster.”
    “I’ll take note of that. And just so you know, I refused to give Howard the data on the dangerous
    version of Lintrane, so your father or Idi Amin or someone equally barbarous is probably going to kill
    me in the next twenty-four hours. Now what do you want?”
    After that last statement it seemed a bit weak saying, “I want to talk about our relationship.”
    “We don’t have one,” Eddie said without margin.
    “We could. Please, let’s talk. I’m so sorry for all the lies. I was just trying to protect the twins.”
    “Don’t bring the twins into this. For all I know your father adores them. First he was a dead war
    hero. Then he was out to kill you all in your sleep, and he beats the twins. Do you actually know what
    the truth is, Fox? Is Fox your real name, by the way, or is it something else entirely?”
    Looking up into Eddie’s tense, angry face, Fox said very quietly, “My name’s Afton. But I’ve
    always been called Fox. I live in Finchley with my alcoholic mother and my violent ex-army father
    and the twins who are probably brain damaged because my dad thrashed the shit out of them for
    crying when they were a year old.”
    “Why didn’t you just tell me that in the first place?” Eddie asked, softening slightly.
    The angle at which Fox had to hold his head in order to look up at Eddie was starting to hurt.
    Eddie was already six inches taller than him, and Fox was standing a step down. “Because I was
    supposed to steal your computer and never see you again. Can I come in, or can you come out so I’m
    not craning like this?
    Eddie came outside and down the steps onto the street so Fox could look him in the eyes. “Why
    did you see me again?”
    “Eddie, I…”
    On the street directly in front of the house a sleek black car slid to a halt. Fox turned to see three
    men he had never seen before get out. They moved slowly as if in no hurry. All three were as dark-
    skinned as Mr. Maputwa. They wore black clothing and dark glasses.
    “Fuck!”
    The fact that Eddie had sworn was nearly as shocking as the appearance of the men. In less than
    two seconds one of them grabbed Fox in a body hug and threw him aside. From the hot pavement he
    watched two of the men grab Eddie by the arms, but he was ready for them.
    With what seemed like gargantuan strength, Eddie wrenched his arms from their grip, then went
    after them with kicks and karate chops. The men obviously did not anticipate Eddie’s expertise at
    self-defense, and in the few seconds they were thrown into confusion Eddie grabbed Fox by the arm,
    dragged him to his feet and inside the house. He slammed and locked the door before scrambling up
    the stairs, pushing Fox ahead of him.
    In the flat he locked the door and then dragged his desk across the room to jam in front of it.
    Fox ran to the window. “Don’t panic. They’re going.”
    Panting, his face scarlet with exertion, Eddie hurried to the window in time to see the car
    disappear down the road as quickly as it had arrived.
    “Sorry, Eddie.” Fox looked up at him. With his hands he wiped the sweat running down Eddie’s
    face.
    “They’ll be back. I’m not safe here.”
    “We have to call the police,” Fox said. “Not that they’ll believe us. Who would?” He reached
    out both arms and wrapped them tightly around Eddie’s chest, pressing his cheek into his shoulder.
    With two strong hands on his upper arms, Eddie pushed Fox forcefully away.