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For Love Of: Tangi
For Love Of: Tangi
For Love Of: Tangi
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For Love Of: Tangi

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Colt Asbury’s life was good. He was captain of the football team in high school, popular with his classmates, and adored by his family. The only thing missing was someone special to share it with. But, between football and schoolwork he didn’t really have much time to think about romance—no that wasn’t exactly the whole truth. He had thought about it, and decided he wasn’t ready to deal with the ramifications of being gay. But, sometimes things can bubble to the surface in unexpected ways. In just a few minutes Colt’s whole world changes when he accidentally outs himself in front of his homeroom class over a new male student named Tangiers (Tangi) Reynolds. Suddenly he’s the talk of the school, yet all he can think about is Tangi. He’d never felt anything like what he felt when he’d first laid eyes on auburn-haired, green-eyed Tangi.
Still, it’s all too much for someone whose held so much in for so long and it takes its toll on Colt physically and emotionally. Confused and feeling broken down, he tries to find someone he can turn to, but discovers his best friend Mickey has turned against him. The rest of Colt’s friends aren’t even sure what to think about him anymore. His ex-football hero dad, whom he idolizes, and his ex-cheerleader mom are acting strangely too, and it turns out they’ve been hiding a closely guarded secret of their own. A secret shared by some of the parents of Colt’s friends. It will take the help of his younger brother Neil and Tangi’s sister Zen as well as allies in unexpected places to aid Colt in his time of greatest need. And then, there’s still the homecoming dance to think about, a homophobic chaperone to deal with, and a mystery man named Cameron. Will Colt be able to navigate these once calm now troubled waters of his life? More importantly will he be able to embrace a life with Tangi? All he knows is that he’ll give it his best shot for love of Tangi.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherGerald Lopez
Release dateApr 30, 2014
ISBN9781311457059
For Love Of: Tangi
Author

Gerald Lopez

Gerald was called to write at various times in his life. When he was young, the writing consisted of plays and short stories. Then he explored the fine arts and literature, earning a bachelor’s degree in the latter while minoring in art history. In his studies he was fascinated by and enjoyed analyzing characters, their personalities and motivations. To him it’s always been the characters who make a story special. Once again writing has taken hold of him. In the past it was just an amusement, but now—for Gerald—writing is a passion to live, eat, and breathe.

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    For Love Of - Gerald Lopez

    Copyright © 2014, 2016 by Gerald Lopez

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

    Cover Art Copyright © 2014 by Gerald Lopez

    Acknowledgments

    My special thanks go to the following:

    To Johanna and John, for acting as beta-readers.

    To Rock whose input and editing is always greatly appreciated.

    And to my best friend J. C.

    Dedication

    This book is dedicated to:

    The Lady Galadriel

    1 January 2005—30 April 2014

    Irish Setter and beloved companion

    A dog's unconditional love is the closet thing to God's love on this planet.

    Table of Contents

    Chapter 1—The New Student

    Chapter 2—Lunch

    Chapter 3—The Bell Rings

    Chapter 4—Welcome to the Party

    Chapter 5—Family Dinner

    Chapter 6—Actions and Consequences

    Chapter 7—Visitors

    Chapter 8—Awakening to Love

    Chapter 9—Good Days

    Chapter 10—Getting to Know You

    Chapter 11—Brotherly Love

    Chapter 12—School Day Blues

    Chapter 13—Gathering of Friends

    Chapter 14—Growing Suspicions

    Chapter 15—Wild and Crazy

    Chapter 16—Fight and Flight

    Chapter 17—Runaways

    Chapter 18—Bonding Time

    Chapter 19—Catching Up

    Chapter 20—Happy Reunions

    Chapter 21—Final Revelations

    Chapter 22—Back to Reality

    Chapter 23—School Daze

    Chapter 24—Two is the Perfect Number

    Chapter 25—Movie Night

    Chapter 26—Pool Party Fun

    Chapter 27—Night Games

    Chapter 28—Good Morning

    Chapter 29—War and Love

    Chapter 30—Love and Football

    Chapter 31—Picture Time

    Chapter 32—Homecoming Antics

    Chapter 33—The Dance

    Contact the author

    About the author

    Other books by Gerald Lopez

    For Love of:

    Tangi

    Gerald Lopez

    Chapter 1

    The New Student

    COLTON ASBURY, WHOM everybody called Colt, strolled down the hall of Village Glen High School, home of the Wild Buffalo. He was late, but it was only homeroom, so there was no need to rush as he finished his bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit breakfast. Since Mr. Mitchum, the homeroom teacher, knew that Colt had an early dental appointment, it wasn’t a problem that he was late. Looking up, Colt spotted a friend who’d just stepped out of the girl’s bathroom.

    Hey, Colt, how ya feelin’ after that dentist visit? Jayla Lee said.

    Good enough that I can eat. That dentist of mine is a genius. He didn’t even use Novocaine, the cavity was so small.

    I don’t know how you can eat so much and stay sooo in shape. It’s probably cause of all that exercise you get as quarterback. I’m glad you’re doing okay. You’re such a nice guy, I wouldn’t wanna see you suffering.

    I’m just a regular guy… you know that, Colt said, taking another bite of his biscuit.

    Regular guy is exactly what you’re not. I’ll never forget how you and Tabi were friends with me when everyone else thought I was just a weirdo because of being half Asian and half black.

    Well, now everyone’s friends with you. It just took them a while to see how great you were… and still are, he said.

    Oh, before I forget, Colt, I heard there’s a new student in your class.

    A guy or a girl?

    Don’t know, I just heard that it’s someone really pretty.

    It must be a girl then, I’d better get in there and check things out, Colt said. Back with ya later.

    Bye.

    Colt quietly walked into his homeroom class and sat at his desk next to his best friend Mickey Patterson. After a quick hello, he scanned the room until he spotted the new student—beautiful was an understatement. Even though her book bag was on her desk and blocking the lower half of her face, Colt could make out long shiny auburn hair and bright green eyes, which shone against a pale complexion. He was in awe, and just stared at her; she was the first girl who’s beauty had ever captured him so completely like that. Then he heard the quiet laughter of the other students and his teacher’s voice finally brought him back to reality.

    Mr. Asbury, I asked you a question, Mr. Mitchum said.

    Yeah, I mean, yes, Sir. The dental visit was fine. I heard there’s a beautiful new student in our class, and I wanna welcome her to the school and ask her to sit with me at lunch.

    A hush suddenly filled the room. Colt looked at his best friend, then at his cheerleader friend Tabatha-Rose, or as she was called by her classmates: Tabi. Tabi, who was sitting at her desk next to the new student, gave Colt a concerned look as she took the book bag that was blocking the new student’s face and put it on the floor. Colt was in such shock that he couldn’t say a word.

    It’s a boy! Colt thought. The beautiful new student is a boy. Then he heard the giggling start… and soon after the whispering. He felt himself trembling inside and didn’t know what to say or do next. Someone said the word fag, and it startled Colt back to reality. Looking up, he saw Mr. Mitchum, who also seemed upset to have heard the word fag mentioned.

    Mr. Tangiers Reynolds is a boy, Mr. Mitchum said, but with that long hair and the book bag blocking his face, it’s easy to see how Mr. Asbury could make a mistake about that. No offense, Mr. Reynolds.

    The class started laughing and Colt could see his teacher staring at him, as if examining him for some reason. The answer to that reason soon came to light when Mr. Mitchum spoke to him.

    Mr. Asbury, why don’t you take this hall pass and go to the restroom; you’ve got crumbs all over your mouth. You probably didn’t notice it, because of being numb from the dental work.

    Colt wasn’t numb, but he realized that Mr. Mitchum had given him an out, and he was grateful for it. As he headed toward the door, he heard someone yell out.

    Bye, Mr. Asbury! Or should we call you Mr. Ass-bury now!

    Colt didn’t turn around, but he could hear Mr. Mitchum, after closing the door behind him.

    We don’t use that kind of language in my classroom… now, let’s get back to what we were discussing.

    Rushing through the hall, Colt didn’t stop until he’d walked into the bathroom and splashed water on his face.

    He spent time looking at himself in the mirror before using his hand to brush back his neatly cut, medium-length, light blond hair back in place with his hands. The class bell rung in the background as a tear fell from one of his blue eyes. The tear surprised him. Where did that come from? he thought. All he knew was that he needed to think straight right now. Then he realized he was thinking about the actual word straight.

    Think, boy, think, he said out loud to himself. I just asked a guy to have lunch with me.

    Yeah, you did, you idiot, Mickey said, having entered the bathroom unnoticed by Colt.

    Mickey walked to the mirror and started combing his straight hair while Colt looked at their reflection. They both had blue eyes, but Mickey’s eyes stood out more because of his jet black hair. Colt was taller at six feet, but Mickey was only an inch or two shorter and more buff, while Colt was slimmer.

    Duuude! Terrence Black, a track star friend of theirs, said. Could you really not tell the new student was a dude?

    Terrence tried to squeeze in to brush his sandy brown hair in front of the mirror with their muscular friend and fellow footballer Kincaid Barone, who’d entered the bathroom and was checking his short curly black hair.

    That was sort of funny when Smithy called you ‘Ass-bury!’ Kincaid said, laughing.

    I don’t remember you finding it so funny when Smithy called you ‘Black man’, that one time, Terrence said.

    And remember, Colt stood up for you, Mickey said.

    I remember, Kincaid said, I punched Smithy hard in the arm after class for calling Colt ‘Ass-bury.’ He’ll have a black and blue mark as payment for his comment. But what the heck, Colt! Man, what gives?

    What! Colt said, exasperated. So I made a mistake, I didn’t see his whole face. What I saw of him looked pretty—really pretty. Did you guys see his hair and eyes?

    Colt! Mickey said, shaking Colt’s shoulders. It’s a guy.

    C’mon, Colt said, be honest, he is kind of pretty.

    But he’s still a guy, Terrence said.

    Someone tried to get into the bathroom, but Kincaid pushed the door back on them, so they couldn’t come in.

    Go use the toilet down the hall, we’re busy! Kincaid said to whoever was on the other side of the bathroom door.

    Okay, listen, Mickey said. It’s not fair. Poor Colt was fooled by that ‘Little Miss Thing.’ He probably held his book bag up to hide his face on purpose to fool Colt.

    Yeah, Terrence said. We should kick that new guy’s ass.

    No! Colt said, surprising himself and the others at the strength in his voice. Leave him alone. It’s my fault.

    Big guy, it wouldn’t be such a huge deal, if you were a ladies’ man or something, but you haven’t dated anyone since we’ve known you, Mickey said. And I’ve known you since we were newborns. Remember, our dads met at the hospital when we were born. Anyway, all you’ve ever done is concentrate on football and school. We all know it’s cause you’re ambitious like your folks, but others here at school might not understand all that.

    You need to get with a cheerleader… and quick, Kincaid said. But not Jayla, I’m fixing to ask her to the homecoming dance.

    And not Tabi, you gotta give me a chance with her, please, Mickey said. I know she’s crushing on you, and has been for years, but you haven’t done anything about it; so give another guy a chance.

    Some friends you are, Terrence said. We need a plan to help Colt, so stop thinking of yourselves.

    It’s OK, Colt said. Everything will be fine. I’m not gonna date a cheerleader just to make myself look good. It wouldn’t be fair… things will work out ok, right?

    Of course they will, buddy, Mickey said, giving a worried Colt a pat on the back. We jocks stick together. But we can still beat the guy up, if you want.

    No, Colt said strongly.

    Well, we need a plan, Terrence said. Colt, don’t talk to anyone else today, if you can help it. You went to the dentist—use that as an excuse to keep your mouth shut.

    Yeah, that’s good, Kincaid said. And I’ll tell everyone else to snub the new guy, ignore him and leave him alone in support of our quarterback Colt Asbury. And I’ll let it be known that I’ll kick anyone’s ass that calls Colt ‘Ass-bury.’

    Colt put his hand on Kincaid’s shoulder. Thanks, you guys. But you can’t be getting into fights. That new guy didn’t bring any of this on himself. Besides, you don’t want to get suspended from playing football. It’ll all work out; so no worries. He was still trying to convince himself that everything really would be fine. We’d better get to class.

    Having decided to put what happened in homeroom behind him, Colt walked to his first class, which was world history and social studies. As luck would have it, his desk was directly across the room from Tangiers Reynolds. Even though he knew it wasn’t the smartest thing to do, he couldn’t resist looking at him—and he stood by his initial impression—the guy was the most beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on. If he thought his hair was something, his lips were even better. Colt’s eyes traced along the sensuous curve of Tangiers’s upper lip and upwards along the ridge of the perfect nose until he got to his eyes. Those clear, bright green eyes that he’d just noticed were looking right back at him. Colt jumped when he felt the warm kiss on his cheek.

    Didn’t mean to scare you, babe, Tabi said, wrapping her arms around Colt’s neck.

    Stop it. What’re you doing, Tabi? Colt said.

    She leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

    I was there this morning, remember; I’m helping you out, fool, she said, kissing his ear.

    I don’t need your help, Colt said. Sit down before we get in trouble.

    That’s very good advice, Miss Tabatha-Rose Gypson—I suggest you follow it and take your seat.

    Yes, Mrs. Curtis, Tabi said before sitting at the desk next to Colt.

    Mrs. Curtis asked the class to open their textbooks and turn to the chapter on Asia.

    Class, I have a special surprise for you this morning. When I sent Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds an e-mail about what we’d be studying this week, so Tangiers could catch up with us, I got a fascinating response. It turns out that the Reynolds family have actually been to the capital city of Myanmar. And Tangiers has been kind enough to bring some of his slides to share with us. Come on up, Mr. Reynolds, don’t be nervous. This is Mr. Reynolds’s first time in a stateside school, before now he has either studied abroad or been homeschooled.

    Tangiers stood and walked to the front of the room, where he picked up the slide changer. Mrs. Curtis was already in the back of the room next to the projector.

    He’s so slim, I wish I was that slim, Tabi told the cheerleader on her right side.

    Colt heard and looked up at Tangiers to see if his friend was right… he soon wished he hadn’t. The guy was so slim and soft. His sheer pink V-neck T-shirt just seemed to float over his body. The fitted white pants he wore were rolled up at the ankles, and he had on white canvas slip on shoes. Forcing himself to look upward, Colt’s eyes focused on Tangiers’s long, slender fingers as he watched them move up and push back straight, long auburn hair. He was grateful when he heard Mrs. Curtis ask Gomez to turn off the lights.

    When the first slide, featuring an elaborate temple appeared on screen, the students gasped.

    Incredible. Isn’t it incredible? Tabi said to Colt.

    Beautiful, just beautiful, Colt said as a new slide showing Tangiers, dressed all in white, in front of a different temple appeared.

    The slides changed, and Colt heard parts of what Tangiers said about not being able to drink the water, and how they showed respect by removing their shoes when entering religious places or people’s homes. A slide showed Tangiers barefoot in an open white shirt and semi-sheer pants next to a statue, and Colt found himself holding his breath. He’d never before felt anything like what he was experiencing now. Tangiers was a white American, but in the slides, he looked like a foreign, fairytale prince. At that moment, Colt wished more than anything he could see Myanmar with Tangiers. Then he stopped and wondered about Tangiers’s name and how he’d gotten it.

    The slide show was over and the lights came on. Tabi looked over and quickly wiped at Colt’s face.

    What? Colt said. Was I drooling? Did I have food in the corner of my mouth? I went to the dentist this morning, you know.

    Hush, they were tears, Colt, Tabi said. You were probably staring at those slides too long. But that place looked so cool, I don’t blame you for staring.

    Yeah, Colt said, wiping at his eyes.

    Mrs. Curtis, couldn’t we do a senior trip there, Tabi said.

    Sorry, Mrs. Curtis said. You’d need to plan a trip like that at least one year in advance, and you’re in your senior year right now.

    The bell rang and Colt was the first one out the door. He walked quickly to his locker, opened it, hid behind the open locker door, and looked back toward the classroom waiting for Tangiers to exit. When he finally exited the classroom, Tangiers was looking down at his schedule while struggling to hold his book bag. Colt saw him look up and around, asking other students for directions. It didn’t take long for him to see that Tangiers was being purposely ignored. Tabi looked like she wanted to stop and help him, but she was quickly dragged away by Jayla Lee.

    The poor guy looks so lost and alone, and it’s all my fault, Colt thought, getting upset by the situation. He got the books for his next class out of his locker before closing it and walking toward Tangiers.

    Hi, you look kind of lost, Colt said. Can I help?

    Thanks, Tangiers said shyly, showing his class schedule to Colt. I have home economics next, but I don’t have a clue where to go.

    It’s one building over on the second floor, I can walk you over if you want.

    Colt saw Tangiers brush his long hair back away from his face and tried not to look. All he could think about was running his hands through that beautiful auburn hair.

    That’s ok, I think I can find it, Tangiers said.

    Listen, Colt said, looking down nervously and turning his foot back and forth, an old habit of his when he was uptight. I can’t say how sorry I am about that mistake this morning… about thinking you were a girl.

    Don’t worry about it, Tangiers said with a smile that made Colt smile as if he’d just won a grand prize.

    Looking around, Colt saw Kincaid walking by and waved him over. Kincaid gave Tangiers a quick up and down tough guy look before turning to Colt.

    What’s up, Colt? Kincaid said.

    You have home ec class next, right? Colt said.

    Yeah, why?

    Good, then you can do me a favor and walk with Tangiers. He’s in the same class as you and doesn’t know how to get there.

    Kincaid gave him an angry look, but Colt was not moved.

    I would consider it a big favor from a true friend, Colt said. And seeing that Kincaid was still thinking about it, added, Please, Kincaid.

    Ok, let’s go. I don’t want to be late, Kincaid said to Tangiers and they left.

    Tangiers waved goodbye to Colt, who sighed and turned—right into an open locker door.

    I gotta get a grip, or else how am I gonna deal with all this, Colton thought.

    Chapter 2

    Lunch

    AS FATE WOULD have it, Tangiers was in the same class as Colt after home ec, but they were seated far from one another. The subject was art history, and Colt couldn’t afford to be distracted—he already had a hard enough time keeping the dates and titles of the artwork straight in his mind. Oh God, I thought that word—straight—again, Colt thought. A couple of times, he also caught himself drifting off and imagining Tangiers as the main character in a particular painting or sculpture. He envisioned him as an angel in a Pre-Raphaelite painting by Botticelli, or a triumphant David in bronze having just slain Goliath. Colt could relate to Goliath. He felt like Tangiers could slay him with a look.

    Lunch was next, but as hungry as he was, Colt lingered behind—even asking the art teacher Mrs. Miriam a few questions. He finally left and grabbed his lunch from his locker… a feeling of dread filled him as he walked toward the cafeteria. After all, in homeroom period, he’d told the whole class that he wanted to have lunch with Tangiers. Now everyone would be watching the minute he entered the cafeteria to see where he’d sit. If the guys on the team had invited Tangiers to sit at the jocks’ and cheerleaders’ table, all would be fine. But there was no chance they’d do that… it would make things way too easy. Maybe Tabi would invite Tangiers to sit with them. No—they wouldn’t even let her talk to Tangiers earlier. It would be up to Colt. He could take the coward’s way out and just have lunch outside, but his dad had taught him better than that. He took a deep breath before opening the cafeteria door and going inside.

    The cold, gray cafeteria was noisy and rowdy inside, as usual. Coach and some of the teachers stood in back of the room looking over things… as was their way. But today, Colt didn’t hear the noise or see the ruckus. Every step he took was heavy and hard, almost as if he was taking two steps back for every one forward. The only noise he heard was the fast beating of his heart—he was scared and nervous. To the left of him was the table where he usually sat and his friends, who were waving him over… but there was no Tangiers. Scanning the room, Colt finally saw Tangiers sitting by himself at a table against the far wall. He’d been cast off, shunned by even the students that people considered nerds and science geeks, yet he didn’t look sad or upset… just alone. There was no question at all in Colt’s mind what his next action would be—how could he do anything but go sit

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