Chapter 2

“I came to thank you,” said a quiet voice at his side.

Sid was somewhere between choking and exploding by then, but his feet came off the table in a rush and he coughed hotdog out his mouth and, unfortunately, his nose. This was greeted by someone snorting back laughter. Eyes met eyes. It was Royal standing there, bowed forward some, but standing.

When Sid was finally able to speak again, he blurted, “I—I don’t normally suck, I mean…it was kind of small…I mean…and—juicy. Um, so there.” He found a napkin and wiped his face. He had an almost irresistible urge to add, “I meant to swallow that,” but managed to restrain himself.