Like Real People Do (Breakaway #1)

by E.L. Massey

Kuzy glances at her, then Eli, and frowns. “Hey. It’s okay. It’s secret, I know.” Eli doesn’t say anything. Can’t think of what to say. Kuzy continues to frown at him, then shifts his hands on the steering wheel, clearing his throat. “At home, in Russia, when I’m little kid—no father, Mama work always, home late, always. So, after school, I’m go, uh, house by house?” “Next door?” Eli supplies faintly. “Yes. After school, I’m go next door. Two men live next door. Old men. Funny. They listen to the radio and yell. Not angry yell, just—loud. Happy. They take good care for me and always have food for me and little things for play—toys…” He says a word in Russian, shrugs, and moves on. “They help with school. Help buy hockey gear. Good men. People say they’re…family, but not brothers?” “Cousins?” “Yes, cousins. But they’re not cousins. I’m see, sometimes, they hold hands in the house, on the couch—where no window. Touch hip. Touch neck. Soft. Like normal thing. Sleep in the same room. I’m not see kiss, ever, but I know what love looks like when it have to be secret.” Eli feels like he might cry. “I think it’s bad,” Kuzy continues gently, “not fair. But I’m not—it’s secret. I promise. Don’t worry.”