The Beginning

Nicky

Squished between Marc and Si, we watched on while Freeman measured Ozzy's inseam.

Freeman's hand neared everything he held dear.

Oscar jumped and cupped himself in one hand.

"It all fits in one hand, huh?" Silas razzed.

Ozzy was free to hold up his middle finger. At the same time, Freeman smacked his hand away.

"The trousers, they need to fit." He reminded Oz.

"Ain't no man ever touched my shit." Ozzy replied.

Mateo sucked his teeth. "Don't be homophobic."

"Ain't no one ever touched your shit. It's too hard to find." Julian chuckled.

Their argument escalated, calling Uncle Dom's attention.

Marc and Si leaned into me.

"We doing this or what?" Marc rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

"Big Brother's always watching." Si's gaze drifted to Vincent, who hadn't moved since his own fitting.

Eyes trained on the three of us wasn't unusual. We were the cousins who took lengthy walks during family gatherings, only to return smelling like the ass end of a skunk and eat everything off the table. We were the ones who snuck out after dark on Halloween, returned to our parents in the back of a police car. And, in Vin's eyes, we were the backstabbers who'd get rid of Uncle Dom.

I wasn't above it. If he was in bed with the only person I couldn't bear to see return to Colburn, I'd kill him myself.

I nodded at the twins.

Julian took the hint and slid into our circle. "What's up?"

"I need you to text Roni." I informed quietly.

"You do it." Mateo argued, taking a seat on the other side of Marc.

"Shut your ass up." I ordered. "Text Roni, aces."

"That's it?" Julian looked up from his phone.

"That's it." I assured.

"Three queens?" He read quizzically.

She had Tess under control. I'm assuming the third queen was Starla.

"Perfect." I sighed. "Can you get Vin?" I glanced at Si.

"You got Dad, then?" He questioned back.

"Roni's got him." I promised.

"Keep an eye on Oz." Si nodded to Mateo.

"I ain't got a job?" Marc threw his arms out.

"Your job is to make sure we don't get caught." I reminded him. "You're up."

Marcelo stood from his seat, announcing in an uncouth manner, "I got a take a shit. We good?"

"Not the employee bathroom." Freeman requested through pins held in his lips.

"You got it." Marcelo gave a thumbs-up as he moved toward the back.

Mateo and Julian both stood to observe Ozzy tense each time Freeman pinned the material about his legs.

Vin stood abruptly. Certain that we were up to no good, he followed Marc into the bathroom.

Silas contained his unease. "Marc is going to--"

"He'll handle it." I cut in. "You're with me now." Standing from my seat, I stretched toward the ceiling. Readjusting my clothes, I moved toward Uncle Dom. "Alright, Dom. I'm out."