It was from Greg: [u goofy bastard, Dad was trying to tell u to watch the weather. I would have let you ride home through the storm, but Ma asked me t...o let u kno theyll come pick u up if its raining] I texted back a quick response and looked to the sky. Indeed, there was a pillar of grey clouds, but they were pretty far away. I had plenty of time, at least a few hours (as if I knew anything about the weather). I reached Cindys house a few minutes later. I parked my bike in the driveway and rang. . thanks.” Much as Jack appreciated it, the cut of Julias’s gaze said enough.You’re flirting with pain, Jack, and it’s going to eat you alive.Jack called for a drive, and both he and Tash started back for his apartment. He didn’t go there much, but he still had stuff there, and sometimes it was nice to remind himself that he did actually own his own place. Now, he had money for a much better place, but would he ever move into one? The Invictus wouldn’t let him full-on live with Antoinette,. And he kind of wondered about the sexual orientation of those around him. His father, of course. Was he gay? What about all that gay porn? But then, what about all that straight porn?But he also wondered about his friends. Jack Parker, maybe? Jack was so pretty. There were times when Greg felt the urge to kiss Jack.And he somehow felt that Jack would accept it.But he didn't have the nerve. And, anyway, Jack was one of his best friends, and the son of his father's friends.Then there was Troy. At eight the phone woke me. It was Paula and she hadn't heard from Mary about the kids staying over. I just said I didn't know where she was so just keep the kids. That is what I said, but I suspected she was probably out screwing one of the neighbors. She certainly had found someplace or someone to hang out with.I left the house at ten-thirty and went to work. This was going to be a boring evening as the plant was shut down for the holiday, so I was alone. I turned the live feed to my house on.