Omorphi Read Online Free Page A

you.”
    Michael looked at the friend he’d had since the day he was born. Rather, the brother he’d never had. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I love you, man.”
    Jake smirked. “Back at you.”
    “Wellington Ranch is for troubled kids, right?”
    “Troubled.” Jake pursed his lips. “How PC of you. It’s a home for abused and neglected kids.”
    Michael’s eyes narrowed on Jake. “What kind of abused?”
    “Does it matter?”
    “Guess not. Every kind of abuse is all kinds of wrong, but you don’t know what kind?”
    Jake gave Michael a long, considering look.
    “Spit it, Jake.”
    “Wellington Ranch is one of my dad’s clients, so I shouldn’t say anything but, from the paperwork I’ve seen in his office, the kids have been abused in more than one way. Verbally, emotionally, physically, sexually, starved, no health care. That kind of stuff. And they’re usually young. Not our age.”
    Michael’s eyes traveled up the bleachers to settle on Christy again. His long, blond ringlets wafted on the breeze as he looked off into the distance. Christy’s posture was perfect, almost regal. The mere thought that anyone would hurt Christy, particularly in that way, filled Michael with anguish so raw his chest hurt. The need to protect Christy was sudden and vital, and entirely foreign to him. That decided it. “I’m going to go talk to him.”
    Jake half laughed. “Did you forget that he doesn’t speak?”
    Michael was immediately defensive. “So what?”
    Jake stood. “Look, whatever, man. Do you want me to hang out?”
    Michael grinned. “What’s wrong with you? You’re acting like a mother hen.”
    Jake didn’t smile as he bent to collect his bag. “Nothing new, Michael.”
    Michael’s grin slipped. Jake was right. It wasn’t anything new. He stood, slung his bag over a shoulder, and draped his sweatshirt around his neck. “Thanks, bro,” he said as he one-arm hugged him.
    “You have your cell?”
    “Yeah.”
    “You have your cell in your pocket?”
    A smile quirked Michael’s lips. “He’s no bigger than a minute, Jake.”
    Jake grabbed Michael’s cell phone from the side pocket of his bag and shoved it into the hidden pocket in his running shorts. “Do I have to remind you to use condoms?”
    A cherry-red flush rushed up Michael’s neck and came to full bloom in his face, and Jake burst into laughter. “Call me later and let me know you’re okay. Good luck, bro.”
    Michael watched Jake walk away. Jake had taken care of him all his life. And he was right. Michael needed to pay attention to what went on around him.
    He looked up into the stands and found Christy watching him intently. When their eyes met, Christy turned away quickly. Man, he’d wanted to talk to Christy since the day he ran into him, literally, but hadn’t been able to work up the courage.
    Two months ago, Michael had been on his way to class early one morning when he realized he’d left his English Lit essay in the car. He turned abruptly to go back to the parking lot and ran smack into Christy. He tripped, nearly sending them both to the ground, and quickly caught Christy’s arm to steady him.
    “Sorry, man, didn’t see you.”
    Then Michael did. Christy’s eyes had sparkled in the bright morning sun like the crystal waters of the Caribbean. Mesmerized, Michael hadn’t been able to prevent the words that tumbled from his lips. “Your eyes are amazing.” A shy smile had flashed on Christy’s heavenly visage and, after a beat, uncertainty filled his eyes. Embarrassed, Michael blurted, “Sorry, man.” Christy had only nodded and walked away. Since that fateful morning, pretty Christy had been the object of Michael’s desire, making nightly appearances in his dreams and wreaking havoc with his, well, you know.
    Michael had made it his mission to find out everything he could about Christy, which was nothing because, as Jake pointed out, no one knew a thing. But for the fact that Mrs. Thomas, the