Chapter 6: Back Seat

Teddy cleaned himself with a dish towel in the dark and put on gray sweatpants.

He left Zack asleep on the couch with his mouth open.

He went down the back stairs in his socks.

The black car idled at the curb with its rear window dark.

The door swung open before he reached it.

"Get in."

Teddy got in.

The seat was leather, and the partition up front was raised, and the car smelled of cedar and cold air.

Anders sat in the corner, still in the dark coat, with one arm along the seat back.

His face was lit only by the streetlight through the glass.

"You took your time."

"I have a guest."

"I know." Anders's nostrils flared, once. "You smell like soap that isn't yours. And someone else's skin."

Teddy's face went hot.

"You told me to tell you if anyone touched me."

"I did," Anders said.

"Someone did."

"Who?" Anders asked.

"A friend from home," Teddy said. "He just got here. I didn't know he was coming."

"Zack."

It was said very quietly.

Teddy's head came up.

"How do you know his name?"

"Your roommate said it over the pipettes." Anders's eyes didn't move. "I listen, Gallagher. It's most of my job."

"He's my best friend."

"And?"

"And he was my first." Teddy swallowed. "We were never together. We were just always there."

"And tonight?"

"Hands. And a kiss. That's all."

Something moved in the man's jaw.

It was gone before Teddy could name it.

"Come here," Anders said.

Teddy crawled across the seat.

Anders took his face in both hands and looked at it, left, right.

"Where did he touch you?"

"My face," Teddy said.

"Show me."

Teddy took Anders's thumb and brought it to his own cheek.

"And?"

"My ribs." He guided the hand down under the sweatshirt. "My stomach. My, um. Here."

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