Chapter 15

The big brother in me took over. With one protective hand around Joey’s shuddering shoulders, I stroked his hair. “Why can’t I?” He sniffled but didn’t answer, so I added, “Joey, here’s the thing. I sort of like guys—”

“Not him,” my brother said with a shake of his head. “I don’t like him.”

I laughed, hoping to dispel the tension between us. “So what, only guys who get your approval?” Joey nodded, stubborn. “What kind of guys do you have in mind?”

“No one queer,” Joey muttered. I laughed again and he pulled away, pouting. “No one who lookslike a fag, Brian, okay? Shut up, you know what I mean.”

Doing my best Schwarzenegger imitation, I flexed my arms as if they rippled with muscles. “Only manly men, ja?”