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in front of everyone, but if anything, he leans in closer.
    “Anyone give you any shit today?” I ask, watching him lie back on the grass and stare up at the sky.
    “Depends on what you’d classify as shit,” he responds gloomily.
    “I don’t know why you won’t tell me who it was jumped you.”
    “It doesn’t matter.”
    I don’t normally harp on about stuff, but it’s bothering me that he won’t say.
    There are several little groups hanging around, guys bigger than me, laughing, smoking, some looking over at us. I stare back at them, feeling the glint of something within me, something hard and merciless, something that wants to strike out and retaliate.
    They have less to lose, less to fight for. It makes a difference, I’ve found.
    “Got a job later, Finn is picking me up at 11:00 p.m. Need you to cover for me with Dad,” I say as we’re ambling back to the boat.
    “What sort of job is it that starts at 11:00 p.m.?” Jay looks dubious.
    I shrug.
    “What am I supposed to say to Dad if he asks where you are?”
    “Tell him I’ve gone for a late-night swim or something.”
    At 10:50 p.m., with Jay giving me a boost, I climb out of the skylight in our cabin and onto the deck. Carrying my shoes in my hand, I try not to make a single sound as I step across the deck and climb up the ladder onto the towpath. Luckily, Dad’s radio is on loud in the cabin below, some psychedelic rock song that will probably go on for hours, and it drowns out any sounds I do make.
    I slip my shoes on and run towards the road, thinking I’m early and I’ll have a few minutes to collect myself and wonder where we’re going, but Finn is already there, waiting in a white transit van with Chase and Logan. The van looks new and gleams cleanly and brightly—not one of Bosco’s.
    I get in the back. It’s empty apart from a hefty toolbox, a blanket, a tarpaulin, and some rope. I sit on the wheel arch and hold on tightly as the van speeds off into the night.

C HAPTER 5
     
     
    “S IT UP here, and if you see anyone coming, sound the horn, alright?” Finn points to the center of the steering wheel in front of me. “Long and loud, okay?”
    The transit is parked up in some cutting away from the road. Whispery trees loom up in the dark around us. It’s not a cool night, but still I shiver.
    Chase and Logan are gone already, walked off into the trees, farther away from the road. I don’t know what we’re doing here, and right now I’m too afraid to ask.
    “You okay, Chris?” Finn looks at me, frowning. I’ve noticed he’s much kinder and sweeter to me when no one else is around.
    I try a smile. I don’t think it works too well.
    Reaching under the passenger seat next to me, Finn brings out a rusted crowbar and lays it across my lap.
    “You’ll be okay. We’ll only be about fifteen minutes. Anyone comes, you just sound the horn and I’ll be here in ten seconds, okay?”
    He seems concerned about me, so I nod.
    After furtively looking round into the darkness behind, Finn leans in and kisses me quick and light. I’m quite unprepared. He grins at my expression, never losing eye contact and remaining close. Close enough to gently cup the back of my head with his hand and tilt it ever so slightly, brushing his lips against mine and pulling away until I groan with frustration at the almostness of it. Like setting light to touchpaper, my desire flares with want. And when he at last fully opens his mouth against mine, I grip the front of his top and draw him in, closer, closer.
    This is nothing like the other day.
    I think he realizes.
    When we break apart, he looks a little bemused.
    “I’ve gotta go help.” He swallows, not moving. “Fuck….” He trails off. His eyes drop to my crotch and the obvious swell in the fabric, noticeable even in this poor light. Uncertainly I reach for his hand, touching his fingers and bringing them to my thigh.
    Distantly someone calls his name.
    “I gotta….”
    He turns towards the