Finding Yourself: Book Two

Chapter Four: Gay?

"So, you were at your friend's yesterday?" Nick questioned him. Devin's absence was a shocker to Nick, apparently- who had worried where Devin was. Apparently, Devin was supposed to ride home with Nick after school.

He didn't know that. He had always taken the bus, and the foster home never really cared where he went as long as he was home before curfew. Most kids didn't get that privilege, but the foster home had been really desperate to get rid of him lately, which resulted in a lack of concern in the absence of his presence.

"Yeah," he admitted.

"Well, just let me know when you go over there, because I worry," Nick pleaded.

Who did Nick think he was?

"How about no?" Devin said, starting to get frustrated, "You don't get to tell me what to do." 

Devin hated people telling him what to do, especially those who hadn't earned his respect. He wanted Nick to get angry at his words. He wanted Nick to prove that he was just like Devin's biological father- rash and uncontrolled. Unfortunately for him, Nick had the patience of a sloth. 

"You're right," Nick responded, "It's stupid of me to give you demands when you barely know who I am. But I would really appreciate it if you did."

"Yeah no," Devin said stubbornly, "It's not happening." Why would he want someone to know about his whereabouts? That's so creepy- or at least, that's how Devin always thought.

Nick sighed, as he flipped burgers on an indoor grill. When Devin was told he was being adopted by two gay guys, he expected makeup, girly accents, and a bunch of pink- like Avil. However, Nick didn't meet that stereotype so far. In fact, he was quite manly, other than his mothering-ness traits.

Suddenly, a man Devin hadn't met yet walked down the steps. He knew he didn't like the look of this guy already. Why? Because he looked exactly like the man Devin wanted to be seen as: better than everyone else. He was dressed in a pristine suit with an expensive-looking watch on his wrist. His eyes looked calculative, and his face serious. He looked like a smart man. He was also really tall. 

Devin noticed Nick and this guy make eye contact- and suddenly, the air became tense. It felt like walking on glass, and at any minute- you might get stabbed in the foot. It was like two nuclear weapons shaking hands- dangerous.

Devin assumed this was Xavier, part two of the family drama he overheard through the door. One glance at Xavier's hand told him the truth- there was a wedding ring there.

Nick was giving Xavier this warning look as if he was daring Xavier to bring up the drama in front of the newly adopted kid. 

Devin tried to hold himself back from smiling. Call him evil, but he found drama very amusing and highly entertaining. Like a TV show. He always told Tanner he wasn't invested in reality TV, but Tanner seemed to know otherwise. He was a good sport and pretended he didn't know.

However, Devin can read drama like a book.

"Nick," Xavier started. Devin noted that it wasn't endearing. He didn't use pet names- just Nick. 

"Yes?" Nick asked, grabbing a knife. Devin panicked for a second until he realized the knife was for cutting onions and not  Xavier.

"I need my navy suit with its matching accessories cleaned by tomorrow," he said, adjusting his watch- as if it wasn't already perfect. "And you know the white button-up that looks really nice with that suit?"

"The white shirt that you consistently insist looks different from all the other white shirts? I'm aware," Nick retorted.

"Nick, they're button-ups. Not shirts," Xavier snapped. Nick flinched. Wait- Devin double took- Nick flinched?