Behind the Tears (Behind the Lives) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sledge pulled off his jacket and T, throwing them on his bed.
    Corey’s eyes flicked between Sledge and the bed. Sledge sat down and yanked off his boots, wondering what Corey’s issue was. Agro one second; embarrassed the next. Well, he didn’t have time to baby him; he had to get ready for his job interview. Ever since Tama had been thrown into prison he wanted to get work there, so he could make sure his mate was safe. At the moment Tama was probably alright, but once his stepfather was released from prison, Sledge wasn’t so confident it would stay that way, Tama’s ability to insult people knowing no limits.
    Frustrated, Sledge threw his boots at the wardrobe. But then again, what was the bloody point of going? There was no way they’d give him a job, especially since the application pack had said there would be tests. He’d always been useless at school, having to do Year Eleven twice.
    Sledge leaned his back against the wall and focused on Corey, who was now facing the door. “C’mon, Corey, there’s no use gettin’ upset. It’s just ... you’re far too good-lookin’ for that ugly cow. You could get any chick. So, why the hell would ja want Juliet for?”
    Corey turned around. “You reckon I’m good-lookin’?”
    Sledge smiled. “Well, you’re prettier than Juliet, but that ain’t saying much.”
    A slow grin spread across Corey’s face. He started to sing and wiggle his butt about, making his jeans fall down again. “You think I’m pretty, you think I’m sexy, I betcha wanna do me—”
    “Stoppit, you sick moron.” Sledge grabbed a pillow and threw it at Corey. It hit Corey’s face, making Sledge laugh. “And pull up your pants; I don’t wanna see your Pākehā arse.”
    “I’m not a Pākehā!” Corey picked up the pillow and threw it back with more force. His mate always reacted when people called him the
Māori
word often used for
white people
. Because of Corey’s pale Irish complexion, he’d been bullied at school, taunted with the word Pākehā. Even though Corey was half Cook Islands Māori, he didn’t look it, well, maybe apart from his full lips.
    “Sorry, man, it slipped out,” Sledge said. “I didn’t mean it as an insult like those pricks at school.”
    Corey nodded and sat down on the bed. “And I’m sorry ’bout your sis. I should’ve kept it a secret, but I wanted to tell someone, cos she’s my first.”
    “Your first what?”
    “Bang.” Corey moved his crotch forward.
    “Is not; we fucked that chick together.”
    “Talk about shit for memories. We roasted her. I got heads, you got tails.”
    “But, what about that other chick you said you fucked?”
    Corey’s face reddened. “I lied to get Tama off my back.” Corey moved up the bed, and leaned against the wall, his shoulder pressing into Sledge’s arm. “He wuz always calling me a fag, cos I didn’t hit on chicks.”
    “That’s cos you’re shy round them.”
    “I ain’t shy, it’s just ... it didn’t bother me that they weren’t interested. I wuz so damned fat back then that I could hardly blame them for not wanting me.”
    “Shit, it would’ve bothered me.”
    Corey shrugged. “I had my mates, plus you were always there.”
    “Yeah, but I couldn’t do without pussy.”
    Corey grimaced. “I could. That blowjob I got wuz way better.”
    Sledge glared at Corey. “Watch your mouth. You’re talking ’bout my sis, you perverted freak.”
    “No, Juliet didn’t blow—” Realisation dawned on Corey’s face. “Oh crap, sorry, you meant her pussy.”
    “God! That’s why I didn’t want you anywhere near her, cos I knew this shit would happen.”
    “I only went with Juliet cos she looks...” Corey’s face dropped, then he tugged his beanie over his eyes.
    “Cos she looks, what?”
    “Forget it.”
    Sledge pulled back the beanie. “No, tell me.”
    “Don’t touch it!” Corey grabbed his beanie and jumped off the bed.
    “Why won’t cha tell me?”
    “Cos I’d lose you as a