Chapter Forty-Two- The Coward’s Disgrace

“I can’t believe you!”

“Would you keep your voice down?” I hissed. “He’s right upstairs!”

“And that’s what worries me!” She took a breath to steady herself before continuing, “Tom, I know that teenage boys are supposed to be sexually active, but that does not mean that I expect to walk in and find you in bed with your boyfriend less than a week after seeing you in bed with another boy!”

I sighed, “I know! And I’m sorry! But we got carried away. It just happened! It felt right”

“You cheated on him, Tom,” she snapped. “How can that be right?”

“Oh, and I’m supposed to make it up to him by ignoring his advances?” I retorted.

She gave me a dark look, “Don’t be petulant. You’re still my son and I’m still entitled to tell you what’s right and wrong about your behaviour.”

“I know it was wrong!” I snapped. “I’m not proud of myself!”

“Well, at least you still have a functioning moral compass.”

I stared at her, “What would you rather I do?”

Her eyes were blank for a long moment, “Tell him the truth.”

After staring at her for a few more seconds, I groaned and sank down onto one of the stools at the breakfast bar. “I know! I know. But that’s going to hurt…all of us.”

“Things like this never stay secret for long,” she warned. “It’s better that he hears it off you.”

“I hate when you’re right,” I muttered through my fingers.

She laughed and set her hands on my shoulders in a sign that she was still here for me even though she was disappointed. “I love when I’m right. Just tell him as soon as possible. You never know… He may be the forgiving type.”

“Maybe.”

“Oh, and get your stuff out of your sister’s room.”

I frowned, “Why?” Then I realised as she squeezed my shoulders meaningfully, “Oh, bloody hell, Mum! You called in reinforcements?!”

“Don’t be overdramatic…”

“Oh, come on. Don’t deny that you’re siccing her on me. I don’t need a pep talk off Miss. Morality!”

“It wouldn’t hurt,” she corrected breezily, not disagreeing with my claim that her daughter was a goody two shoes. “But she has her university holidays anyway and we haven’t seen her in a while.”

I rolled my eyes, “That’s because she’s annoying.”

She batted me on the shoulder, “Don’t say that about your sister.”

“You never would hear a bad word about the Angel Spawn…”

She laughed again, “A mother doesn’t allow her children to slag each other off.” Then she paused, “He’s on the move. And you both have school. Go and get dressed. But tell him soon, okay?”

I nodded, “Okay.” Then I stood up as she released me and gave her a small smile before jogging up the stairs. As I walked into my room, I saw Danny digging in a bag by the bed. “Did you bring that with you?”

“Uh-huh.” He grinned up at me, “I came with a plan and I came prepared. Your alarm woke me up.”

“Back to school,” I muttered.

“No need to sound so excited. Ah-hah!” He yanked out a pair of boxers triumphantly and pulled them on. Then she straightened, “I haven’t done any of my homework- at all. But I have free periods first thing, so I was hoping…”

I shook my head slightly as I wandered over to my wardrobe, “How much you got?”

“A History essay for three and four, so that’s my main priority. Then four questions for Biology, but I figure I can knock ‘em out at break.”

“What’s your plan for lunch?” I asked dryly.

“Music composition. I have it,” he defended as I turned to give him an incredulous look. “It just needs to be written down.”

I rolled my eyes, “Remind me again why you’re in the top set?”

His laugh was quick and wicked, “Because I’m amazing.”