The Bad Son (Book 2)

Chapter 11

Can bounced on his bed. He paced the floor. He went to the bathroom and stared at his face. He ate a bag of snacks. He washed his hands. He picked up his phone and looked at Tin's number.

He bounced on the bed again.

"Argghhh!" He pulled on his hair.

Ley pounded on the wall. "Shut up, Can! I'm studying."

Can pounded back. "You're always studying. I'm working out a difficult problem!" It pissed him off when he heard her laughing. "Bitch!"

Ma pounded up the stairs. "Settle down or I'll put you to work!"

Ley tapped the wall once more, not as hard. "I heard that, ass."

"I meant you to." Can started to pace. Ever since he was young, he simply couldn't think if he was still. He fidgeted behind desks in school to the point it drove his classmates crazy, not to mention teachers. Sighing, he picked up the phone once more, opened his door and strode out of the room.

His first call with Tin was not going to be where Ley could listen. Shaking his head, oh no, he was not facing teasing for this! He walked out into the back yard where the garden swing was, curled up on it, and dialed. Why was he so nervous?

"Medthanan."

"Pardon?" Can almost dropped the phone. "Who the hell answers a phone that way?"

"I do. You called me." Tin's voice was flat, with no infliction. "May I ask to whom I am speaking?"

"What?" Can was confused.

"Did you not take Thai in school? Should I speak English?" Tin was beginning to enjoy the exchange.

"I was calling for Tin. Is this Tin?" Can figured he should just ask, rather than go in circles.

Tin broke out into laughter. "Pete passed on the message, hmm. I should send him my thanks. Hello Can. How are you?"

"Why are you laughing?" Can felt uncomfortable. Even over the phone, his laugh was warm, just like his hand.

"I'm happy. Why else?" And he was, Tin was very happy. "Let me come and pick you up. I want to go out tonight."

"With me?" Can asked, surprised.

"Am I talking with someone else? Of course you."

"Will you buy me food?" It slipped out before he could stop himself.

Not bothering to hide the amusement in his voice or the roar of the engine, "I'll be there in 10."

Can stared at the phone. "He didn't even say good bye!" Then it hit him, he had less than ten minutes to get ready. Then he wondered if this was a date.

Screw it. He ran back up to change his shirt, he had a stain on it from supper. He went to the bathroom and washed his face and was outside, waiting as Tin drove up. He restrained himself from jumping.

He opened the door as soon as it stopped. "Sweet ride!" He crowed, sliding in the passenger seat. He slid his hand along the leather dash. He sighed as the bucket seat conformed to the contours of his body.

Tin held back his laughter, leaned over and reached for the seat belt. "Safety first, Can." He swiftly buckled it, noticing he stiffened. So, Can did feel the tension between the two of them.

Can didn't look at him as he muttered, "I could have done that."

"More fun this way."

"What does that mean?"

"Figure it out, Can." Tin put the car in gear, and drove for a bit. Then, he pulled over. "Can?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we going?"

It didn't take Ley long to notice Can's really erratic behavior. Not that his behavior was typical at best. But today, he was off. He didn't eat two breakfasts, he was talking more to himself than normal, and then, he came HOME in a limo with a freaking hot prince!

Then, when they tried to talk to said prince, Can flipped out. Ley knew then Can needed careful watching. She heard when he left his room. She heard the door to the garden open. She moved to studying under the window. 

She couldn't hear what the conversation was about. Goodness, she sure wished she could! Can's ears had blushed! Who was he talking to that made him blush? Was it so wrong for her to pray that he was gay? She had been into boylove for so long... 

Ever since her junior year of high school, she had shipped idols, actors, even ordinary boys together. She couldn't help it. It was addicting. It was her addiction. The sight of two boys holding hands made her giddy!

It even had the power to make her stop studying! Her computer was filled to the brim with downloaded pictures of her favorite couples. She knew that it was just fanservice to promote the series but she didn't care! They were just so cute!

So when he suddenly got up from the swing, ran into the house, sounding like a thunderstorm, Ley knew something strange was happening. She stayed by the window, watching. She gasped, when the sleek red BMW X pulled up, Can opened the door and got in. 

Was her heart's desire coming true?

Then, as the car drove off, reality hit. Ley punched her study desk. "Ma," She cried, "It isn't fair!" 

Ma came running. "Ley, honestly, between you two, I'm exhausted. What isn't fair?"

"Why did Can get the Prince Charming? Why not me? I'm pretty. I'm smart, smarter than Can is. So why is the Prince Charming gay? Why are all the good looking men gay?"

Ma sat down on Ley's bed and started to laugh. She laughed so hard, tears began to run down her face. Gasping for breath, "Oh god, Lemon! Child, you're not ready to date  yet. Otherwise, you wouldn't be asking me that question."

Ley's mouth twisted bitterly. "Ma, I've been doing most of the cooking since I was 15. Helping with all of the other housework since 17. I'm 19 now and can pretty much manage a whole house by myself. And you say I'm not ready to date?"

"Lemon, you still argue with your brother over what to watch on TV." She patted the bed covered with stuffed animals. "You sleep with stuffed animals and have posters of boys kissing boys. Your closet is full of comics."

"They are not comics, Ma. It's manga." 

"Whatever. My point is, dating isn't about age, it's about interest. You're not interested in dating a boy yet, therefore you won't meet a boy who's interested in you. Can is ready to meet someone, whether he recognizes it or not."

Ma stood, and gave Lemon the look. "If you bother him about this, I swear, I will burn all your comics. Can has to tell us, on his own terms what's going on. Do you understand me, Lemon?"

"You're referring to Can coming out as gay, Ma?"

Ma sighed. Then sighed again. "Lemon, I'm not sure what you're reading. We don't know if Can is gay. Or if the Prince Charming is, either. This may be the start of a very good friendship. Whatever is going on, leave it alone. Let them tell us when the time is right. Do you understand now?"

She walked to the door and shot Ley one last look. "I know how nosy you are, Lemon. I will punish you, if you hurt Can."