Chapter 37

What had he done tonight? He’d added more violence to the stream of history. Why had he brought that knife with him? He was so reckless. He’d gotten Billy into a bad situation. And they weren’t even halfway to Mexico yet.

Xavier clenched his fist on his thigh. This was bad. This was all his damn fault. His aunt had warned him about his bad temper.

But he could still hear that word echoing through his mind.

Faggot

Then slowly, the hotel manager’s voice faded out, being replaced by Aunt Diane’s voice, taunting him.

Sergio, thatgrease ball. You know how I feel about JewsShe’s a good girl for a MexicanI took you in and you’re not even full whiteDon’t drink, it’s not good for your kind

Xavier threw the cigarette out of the window, watching its red fiery tip twirl around in the wind, and then disappear. “I’m never gonna do that again,” he said, turning to look at Billy’s tense face. “I swear on my life, I’ll never do that—”