Illumined Shadows (Treble and the Lost Boys Book 3) by G.R. Lyons

Author:G.R. Lyons [Lyons, G.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Fifteen years ago…

SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD VICTOR Lucius showered twice and changed his outfit three times before he made himself stop fussing and go downstairs. His parents were out of town for the week, the first time they'd ever left him and Cam home alone.

Which meant Vic could finally get away with going out to the club without his parents being there to ask where he was going. He was perfectly, painfully aware that his parents would never accept the fact that Vic was gay. He'd heard their homophobic comments over the years, so Vic had been struggling in silence, ever since he was twelve and realized he was gay, knowing he had to keep it a secret.

But now, with his parents not looking over his shoulder, he could finally have one night to just be himself. To have a taste of freedom. It would have to be enough. It would hold him over until he had enough money of his own so he could move out and have his own life, free to live and love the way he wanted.

He could be strong and keep his secret for another year or two, as long as he had this night of freedom.

Cam barely glanced up from his video game. “Where are you going?”

Vic froze, swallowed hard, and said, “I'm…gonna go hang out with the team. I'll be back in a couple hours.”

Cam scoffed. “You're always hanging out with the team.”

“Well, you're always sitting there playing video games,” Vic shot back, then winced when he saw Cam's expression fall. It wasn't Cam's fault he was always sick. The kid had been born with a weak immune system, which meant he was in bed with a cold or a flu more often than not.

Which meant Vic was the one who got to play football and have perfect attendance and grades at school and help out at the family business in order to make Dad proud. To make up for Cam's shortcomings.

Then again, there was no 'got to' about it. He had to. It was the only way to protect Cam from Dad's verbal abuse. The more he did to keep Dad proud, to keep Dad's focus on him, the less Dad would complain about all the things Cam couldn't do.

“Can I come with you?” Cam asked, sitting up and looking excited despite just recovering from a cold.

Vic felt the blood drain out of his face. He couldn't let Cam see where he was really going. Cam wouldn't understand it. Besides, this was his night. His one night to be himself for a change, no parents looming over him and no little brother tagging along.

“Dad wouldn't be happy if you got sick again,” Vic said.

Cam's smile dropped right off his face, and he slumped back on the couch with defeat.

Vic tried to think of something to say to make him feel better, then gave up and turned for the door. Cam would be fine. And this was Vic's night. He wasn't going to let anything get in his way.

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