Foxe Hunt (3 page)

This was the first time he would go out though he wouldn’t come Foxe hunt
15

in. Too many people dancing. But I’m glad we came. I’m glad we ran into you.”

“Me too. Take care of yourself and Evan, okay?”

He kissed Skyler’s cheek. His lips felt dry and papery. “Thanks for being a friend, Skyler.”

Skyler watched him walk away. He had been so full of energy and life when Skyler knew him in college. They had been a couple of years ahead of him and he knew they were both going places.

He also remembered how burly and sexy Evan had been. Now the two of them looked worn out, empty shells of what they once were.

He’d call Jeff in a few days to see how everything was going.

He didn’t want to lose track of them again.

Jamie came alongside him and draped an arm over Skyler’s shoulder. “I kind of heard,” he said apologetically.

“Sucks, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, and not in a good way.” Jamie turned him and steered him toward the doorway. “You’re a good friend, Skyler.”

“I try.” Some things just shouldn’t be. He hoped that all would turn out all right for his friends, but he couldn’t help feeling a sense of unease for them, too.

On Friday morning, Skyler settled at his desk before his favorite sophomore class arrived. He logged onto his computer to check emails. Last week had been one hell of a week, what with murderers tracking him down, someone pushing one of the teachers down the stairs, and the delicious Keith Fletcher cornering him and kissing the daylights out of him.

Some weeks you just didn’t know what to do with yourself.

There was an email about the injured teacher, Julia Meyers, and he quickly clicked it. It was from Mr. Sherman, the principal.

Fellow Faculty Members:

I have recently talked with hospital personnel and have the latest
information regarding Julia Meyers. Unfortunately, I do not have good news
to report. Ms. Meyers is currently under sedation while the doctors wait for
the swelling in her brain to reduce. At this point, they don’t know how well
she will recover, whether there was damage to her brain and how severe it
might be. And because this is still a police matter, her visitors have been
curtailed except for family members. Please keep her in your prayers and best
wishes. Detectives will continue to inquire next week.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Wesley Sherman

That sucked. Poor Julia. Skyler hadn’t forgotten that she had given him cryptic warnings about Keith and the football staff.

But he had discovered why Keith was being so secretive. He, too, was a closeted teacher. And he needed to be especially careful working for Scott Carson, the homophobic football coach. Now
there
was a man Skyler didn’t trust at all!

Skyler had promised Sidney to leave the police work to her, but after all, he
had
discovered the one who murdered Mr.

Sherman’s son, even caught him. Sort of. Who better to do some inside investigating than an inside man? Something was up with the football coach and Skyler wanted to be the one to get to the
18 Haley Walsh

bottom of it.

The bell rang and there was the usual scramble in the corridor.

Kids yapped on their cell phones as soon as they were through the doorways. iPod ear buds were suddenly back in ears, and the slouching masses headed to their destinations with all the enthusiasm of cattle to the slaughterhouse.

First to enter was, naturally, Amber Watson. Red-haired and wearing a pink hoodie, she was everyone’s model student and leader. She also had a crush on Skyler and though flattered, it was really the last thing he needed.

Next was Amber’s friend, Heather Munson. She couldn’t be more opposite from her pink-trimmed friend. Heather was all Goth all the time, complete with dog collar and fingerless fishnet gloves. But Heather, even as emo as she liked to appear, had a desert-dry wit and was no slouch in the intelligence department.

Following her was blond football star Drew O’Connor who was walking in with—surprise!—Alex Ryan, newest football player and former angst-ridden teen. Skyler had gotten the square-faced boy on the team, knowing he needed some kind of outlet to bring him out of his slump, and it seemed to have worked. He hadn’t known that Alex’s other problem may have been more to the point; that he was gay and fighting it mighty hard.

But then Alex’s secret boyfriend entered, class clown Rick Flores. Everyone loved the tall and lanky Rick, especially, so it seemed, Alex.

Rick owned the class. He high-fived the boys as he entered and smiled at the girls. He wore a crisp black shirt with his khakis hanging low enough to reveal a good slice of his striped boxers.

He always wore his sunglasses on the back of his head and a heavy gold chain with a crucifix glazed against his tan skin.

Alex, alone in his back corner of the room, wore a blank and solemn face under a scalp of spiky hair, until Rick entered. His eyes lit up when the Hispanic boy took his seat in the front of the class. Rick gave a lazy look back towards Alex, and Alex ducked Foxe hunt
19

his head and grinned. It was a secret entrusted to Skyler alone, just as Skyler’s secret had been entrusted to those two.

High school was still tricky, thought Skyler, even after having graduated eight years earlier.

“Okay, let’s get settled down,” Skyler said automatically. He raised a pile of papers in his hand. “This is the test on
Julius
Caesar
from last week.”

There were moans but mostly the class quieted. Heather had a smug look on her face, but Amber bit her lip. As if
she
had anything to worry about!

Skyler held them in suspense as he looked over all their faces.

He smiled. “You all did pretty darned well. I must be an excellent teacher.”

Breaths were released and a few spurts of laughter sprinkled about the room. Skyler presented the top sheet to Amber.

“Amber got the top grade.”

“Duh!” opined several students.

“Good job, Amber.”

“Thank you, Mr. Foxe,” she said, taking the paper with a deep blush.

He passed them out to each individual. “Those of you who didn’t do so well, I jotted down some notes on your papers. If you want to improve this grade, see me after class.”

He got to Alex and handed him the paper with a “C+” written on the top. “Good job, Alex. Maybe with a little more studying, you could bring that up.”

“Are you kidding?” said Alex, staring at the paper in disbelief.

“This is the best I’ve ever done!”

That was true. And the best overall in his other classes. Alex seemed to be trying harder for Skyler. No doubt he was grateful that a teacher stuck his neck out for him.

“Next week, we’ll be starting on
The Great Gatsby
and I want you to do some preliminary work on that first. To that end, we
20 Haley Walsh

will be taking a lighthearted look at the 1920s today by viewing
Some Like it Hot
.”

“We’re watching a movie today, Mr. Foxe?” asked Rick, sitting up from his customary slouching position.

“Yes, Mr. Flores. A Friday treat. But I want you to take notes.

We will see the second part of it Monday and we’ll discuss certain aspects of the film.”

“Will there be a test?” asked Drew.

“No, Drew. No test. Just discussion.” He clicked on the television and DVD player and moved to an empty seat in the back so he could keep an eye on everyone.

When the title came up and the music began to play, there was bit of groaning. “Is this in black and white?” asked a sullen voice.

He rolled his eyes. “Yes. ‘Fraid so. Bear with it.”

Skyler leaned back. He had always liked this movie. He was sure they would, too, knowing that most of them if not all had never seen it. But even as the screen flickered with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon hamming it up to each other, Skyler’s thoughts drifted and he daydreamed about Keith.

They had hardly spoken to one another since that day last week when Keith dragged him into an unused classroom and kissed him, promising more. But “more” never came. Maybe the man didn’t want to risk his job after all. And Skyler had been too much of a chicken to seek him out. This was unfamiliar territory.

He was used to hooking up at bars and clubs and parting ways in the morning. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do at this point. Pursue Keith or let it go? But one taste of the gorgeous assistant football coach was definitely not enough.

After forty minutes, Skyler aimed the remote and stopped the DVD player. He sauntered down the center aisle, asking the students questions about what they just saw. Amber always had her hand up, but Skyler picked the quieter ones, the ones studiously avoiding his gaze. They always knew more than they thought they did and Skyler was satisfied that they were at least getting the point.

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He dismissed them a fraction before the bell, and they all scrambled to their feet, back packs swinging over shoulders and cell phones out and on.

“Have a good weekend, guys!” he called to their retreating backs. A few offered backward waves. Rick stood over Skyler’s desk with a bright smile while Alex hovered near the back, pretending to tie his shoe.

When the rest of the class had dispersed, Alex got close to Rick and twined his stubby fingers with Rick’s long, tan ones.

“Showing a movie about transvestites, Mr. Foxe?” said Rick, still smiling and shaking his head. “Shame on you.”

Skyler tried to hide his smile. “It’s not about transvestites.”

“Could have fooled me. That Tony Curtis is hot, though, in or out of a dress.”

Skyler made no comment. He glanced at Alex, who was all but nuzzling Rick’s shoulder.

“So what are you boys planning this weekend?”

“I have practice,” said Alex, letting Rick’s fingers go.

“Not
all
weekend,
mi pequeña
,” said Rick, elbowing him.

“No, but you know.”

“Besides.” Rick turned to him and shocked Alex by taking him in his arms. Skyler shot a worried glance toward the open door and the windowed wall revealing the hallway. “I like it when you’re all sweaty.”

“
Rick
!” he rasped, squirming out of his arms. “Not in front of Mr. Foxe!”

Skyler laughed uncomfortably and rose. “Probably not a good idea in an open classroom, gentlemen.”

Rick frowned. “Have you given any more thought to that GSA thing, Mr. Foxe? James Polk High could use one.”

“I know, Rick.” Skyler felt horrible. He was the one who suggested beginning a Gay-Straight Alliance, and now he was backing out, afraid to be outed.

22 Haley Walsh

Rick lost the luster in his eyes. “We can start one anyway,” he said slowly. “Maybe Ms. Traeger will sponsor it.”

“She’s not a lesbian,” said Skyler. He knew most of the school thought the girl’s volleyball coach was a lesbian. But just because she was athletic didn’t make it so. And Skyler had met her boyfriend and the man didn’t seem like a beard to him.

Alex extricated himself from Rick, but Rick still held his hand.

“That doesn’t matter,” said the dark-haired boy. “The charter says they don’t have to be gay, just gay-friendly.”

“Well, I’ll help in any other way I can. You know I will. I just…just…”

“Leave him alone, Rick. It’s his job, dude. Besides, there’s no way I can join anyway. Football?”

Rick’s smile was not as bright as it had been. “I know. Well.

See you Monday, Mr. Foxe.”

“See you guys.” He watched them go.
You are such a coward,
Skyler.
He felt like shit disappointing them, especially since they had come out to each other right in Skyler’s classroom, but he had only gotten a full-time teaching job a few months ago. He’d hate to have to defend it now.

§ § §

In the parking lot, Skyler swung his leather satchel, glad that it was the weekend at last and wide open. Well, wide open except for Sunday night when he had to have dinner with his mother.

Coming from the opposite direction was the tall figure of Keith Fletcher, making long, purposeful strides toward him.

Skyler’s heart thumped. Standing over six feet tall, broad-shouldered, black hair in a tousled style, sporting a dusting of day-old beard stubble on his dimpled jaw, Keith made his pulse jump. And his eyes! They were ice blue like a husky’s and always concentrated on Skyler in a most disarming manner.

The man was smiling, showing blindingly white, square teeth.

“Hi,” he said when he was standing right in front of Skyler.

Skyler’s knees nearly buckled. “Hi.”

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23

Keith scanned the parking lot and Skyler did too. No one was around.

“I’m sorry I haven’t really gotten to talk to you since…you know.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re busy with the team.”

“And a science fair.”

“Oh yeah. Right. You’re doing double duty as biology teacher.

It’s no problem.”

They both fell silent, merely staring at one another.

“Skyler, I was wondering if you wanted to go out.”

On the one hand, Skyler was expecting something of the kind. But on the other, it was still a bit outside his comfort level.

Skyler blinked. “’Out’? What do you mean ‘out’?”

“You know.” Keith edged closer. “To dinner?”

Skyler’s eyes automatically scanned the parking lot again.

“You mean…like a
date
?”

Keith frowned. “It’s not a dirty word. If you’d rather not, then forget it.” He turned abruptly and headed for his oversized black truck.

Skyler’s heart skipped a beat. He ran after him and grabbed his arm. “Wait. Wait. I’m…it’s just…no one ever asked me out on a
date
before.”

Keith stared at the ground and finally brought up those penetrating eyes again. “Well
I’m
asking,” he said, his deep voice rumbling softly over Skyler’s skin. That one stolen kiss they shared in the empty classroom had been
outstandingly
hot.