Rentboy

was to do a
    series of prints, paintings, and etchings that involved an animal skull.
    She nodded. “Want to see?”
    Fox followed her to her easel, noting with appreciation, but not sexual interest, the curve of her
    hips, her small waist, and full bosom. “You’ve got to let me do a life drawing of you.” She always
    wore skintight jeans, ripped at the knee, and old T-shirts even though he knew from their many chats
    that her family was wealthy.
    “Yeah, I’ve been meaning to strip off for the class. We’re all supposed to take a turn.”
    Fox knew that, but he’d been avoiding it, not because he was shy. He wasn’t. He just didn’t want
    the whole class to see his scars.
    Painted in oils, the large animal skull with lumps of raw meat around it jumped off the canvas.
    The meat reminded him of his arm after he’d cut. “Shit! That’s really good, Nik.”
    A warm smile lit her face, bringing with it a feeling of something oddly familiar. Her smile
    reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t put his finger on whom. “Thanks. What happened there?”
    “Where?” Fox followed her gaze to his arm where a rim of white gauze bandage could just be
    seen below his cuff with a fresh bloodstain on it.
    “I know you’ve been a bit depressed lately, but I didn’t think things were that bad. Did you try to
    do something stupid?”
    Fox grinned. “Don’t be a divvy. The knife slipped when I was cutting apples for the twins.”
    “Idiot!” Nik laughed. “Can’t they cut their own apples? How old are they?”
    Nearly fourteen, and if they were normal, they’d be taking care of themselves . “They’re only
    five. I’d better get some work done.”
    Chapter Three
    “Nik, I did it.”
    Even at nine o’clock at night, Soho was still busy. The sex shops were open as well as the
    theaters and restaurants. Only the more boring shops closed after seven. Edward strode toward
    Tisbury Court, hoping Fox would be there in his box. Two nights in a row. Was he disgusting? No!
    All he wanted was to give the bloke his money. What kind of prostitute forgot to collect his money
    after a transaction?
    Transaction. That’s all it was, so don’t start acting like an idiot and getting stupid ideas.
    “Did what?” Nik nearly forgot her cockney accent and, after her initial curiosity, slipped back
    into it. “Did what?” she repeated, letting the t slide off the end.
    “You know. Had sex,” he whispered, glancing around. Though the street was busy, no one
    appeared the slightest bit interested in him, lanky, always physically awkward, dressed in corduroy
    trousers. No wonder he’d never had a boyfriend. Who’d date a nerd like him?
    “Alle-fucking-luia!” Nik screamed into the phone.
    Edward snatched it away from his ear. “Thought you’d be pleased.”
    “I am. So was it a one-nighter or an actual date?”
    “A one-nighter,” he whispered.
    “Oh well. At least you did it. Was she pretty? ’Cause it would be awful if she was a dog and you
    only did it to not be a virgin on your thirtieth.”
    If he could tell anyone, he could tell Nik. Pausing in the gathering darkness at the corner of
    Whitcomb Street and Orange Street, Edward looked right and left as if a crowd of onlookers were
    straining to hear his every word. “Nik, it was a man,” he whispered.
    “You’re gay?”
    Oh God no. She was going to turn on him. As usual he’d misjudged the situation. He never got it
    right when it came to people.
    “Excellent!”
    Relief flooding him, he asked, “Is it?”
    His sister’s sudden laugh sent another sharp pain ripping through his eardrum. “Wait till the olds
    find out.”
    “No!” His voice shot up a couple of octaves. “You can’t tell them. You know what Mum’s like.”
    “Why not?” She sounded really disappointed.
    “You know why not. She’d be terrified the neighbors would find out.”
    With a definite tone of disappointment, Nik said, “All right. Won’t say a word. So who is he?
    Are you seeing him again?”
    “No, I told you. It was just a one-nighter. I’d better go.”
    “Keep me informed,” Nik said as he hung up and continued on to Tisbury Court, trying to
    remember exactly which alley he had walked down last night.
    The smell was still disgusting as Edward picked his way through the refuse of the dark alley.
    Two men, one facing the wall, the other humping at his rear, ignored Edward completely and finished
    their business. Thank goodness Fox had agreed to go home with him.