It’s no secret Tav and Luca are going out. After the accident, it’s also no secret that new kid Jack Collins has a raging case of homophobia, and is not best pleased about having given the kiss of life to a gay guy. Either Luca quits swimming, or Jack is going to make him.<br><br>Tav favours the tried-and-true method of knocking Jack’s teeth down his neck, only he can’t really afford another school suspension. Luca favours just ignoring him, only ignoring a penknife being held to your throat at New Year’s Eve is downright stupid.<br><br>Thing is, Luca suspects Jack is a victim of something himself. And time is running out for Luca to get through to Jack, before Jack gets rid of him.

The Italian Word for Kisses

“Funny how you and I are on the same page, then,” Tav spat, “‘cause I don’t want you to see my boyfriend again either.”


Jack’s face twitched at the word, and Tav shoved him hard in the chest, lashing out on impulse and sending him staggering backwards into a cluster of bikes.


“Fine,” Jack said, to Tav’s surprise. “Beat me up, or whatever it is you usually fucking do, twat.” Tav jerked forward, and Jack scoffed. “Not like I’ve never been beaten up before, Pretty-boy―”


“―but where’ll it get you? You expelled, and me in this dump with your boyfriend. Who’s apparently too much of a fucking pussy to do his own dirty work. So how about you beat me up, get kicked out, and then I’ll sort out my fucking problem with your fucking boyfriendwithout you around to fight his battles, yeah? How’s that?”


Tav clenched his jaw so hard that his teeth sparked in pain and made a grinding sound.


Chapter 56