Page 93 of Pride High 3: Yellow
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Ricky’s heart was pounding in anticipation or fear. He wasn’t sure which. Probably both, because this was a big risk that would lead to a huge moment. His first time with Diego! Ricky was determined to make it happen, even if that meant getting in trouble again, but he’d taken every precaution. He crept to his bedroom door and turned around, staring at his bed while pretending to be a concerned mother. It sure looked like someone was sleeping there! Although the hair visible above the sheets was way too crazy, even for bed head, so he walked over, sat on the edge of the mattress, and stroked the wig Mindy had loaned him.
“Go back to sleep, sweet boy,” Ricky cooed before laughing. He quickly covered his mouth. After listening to make sure the house remained silent, he patted the head affectionately. Then he began playing the bongos on it so he could hear the hollow sound of the cantaloupe he’d used. Barely resisting another fit of laughter, he adjusted the bundles of clothes he’d used to create the curve of a body beneath the sheets. After returning to the door to check again, Ricky felt satisfied.
Creating the illusion that he was still in bed wasn’t the only precaution Ricky had taken. He hadwaited. The first week of his ungrounding had been extremely frustrating. All his friends were busy after school, either with the play, their jobs, or in Anthony’s case, detention. That had forced Ricky to return home each day, his dad continuing to arrive earlier than usual to check on him.
The weekend had been better. Ricky had hung out with Anthony on Saturday. They’d gone to Archie’s Pizza Pi to visit Omar at work and to play video games. Embarrassingly enough, his mother had called Anthony’s house to confirm he was there. Then his father had shown up at Archie’s to pick up a pizza. And to spy on him, of course. They probably thought that Diego would meet him there, not understanding that his estranged boyfriend didn’t get along well with the others.
Cameron had stopped by on Sunday, but even then Ricky’s mother had made way too many excuses to check on him, as if they would start sucking on a bong the second she turned her back.
These experiences made him feel justified in being so cautious. He’d wanted nothing more than to see Diego over the weekend but had resisted. Good thing too. Now it was Monday night. His parents were tired from working all day. They would never expect him to make a move now. And if they did, his cantaloupe-headed doppelganger would throw them off the scent. Unless it started to ferment. Then the smell would give him away. But he intended to be back before that happened.
Only one obstacle remained in his way. He needed to sneak out of the house without getting caught. Ricky shut the bedroom door behind him, and took the stairs one at a time, pausing whenever his weight caused a creak. He went to the rear of the house instead of the front, figuring the sliding glass door that led to the backyard would make the least noise. And it was farther away from his parents’ bedroom. Ricky opened the door with the same excessive care as the stairs. Once his bare feet were on the cold stone of the patio, he turned and closed the door. Then he made a break for it, running across the yard and out the side gate, only stopping to grab the shoes and socks that he’d hidden behind the air conditioner unit. He didn’t bother putting them on. All that mattered to him now as he jogged down the sidewalk was getting away. He only slowed when turning the corner, but when he saw the Trans Am waiting for him, he broke into a sprint.
Diego got out and opened the passenger side door for him.
“Hi!” Ricky said before leaping inside.
He was pulling on his socks and shoes when Diego got in.
“Good thing you finally showed,” his boyfriend said. “I was about to use my boner like a battering ram to break down the front door.”
“It can’t bethatbig,” Ricky said.
Although he was about to find out!
Diego was looking him over with an amused expression. “Why are you wearing pajamas?”
“In case one of my parents woke up when I was trying to sneak out. If I was fully dressed, it would have been impossible to explain.”
“Good thinking,” Diego said as he started the car. “Ready to go?”
“Almost.” Ricky climbed over to kiss him. Repeatedly. He only stopped when he had a vision of his parents rushing down the street while calling his name.
“I can’t wait to get you home,” Diego said, revving the engine before he peeled out.
“I thought Frankenstein was supposed to be a slow monster,” Ricky said as they raced through town. “If we get pulled over…”
“Good call,” Diego said. He eased off the accelerator.
There! If only his mother could see them now. She thought Diego didn’t have his best interests at heart. And yes, maybe he was a little reckless, but not intentionally so. Diego really cared about him!
“I’ve missed you,” Ricky said, nearly choking on the confession.
A smile tugged at Diego’s cheek. “Yeah?” he asked, glancing over. “How much?”
“So much that it hurt.”
Diego’s cinnamon eyes were intense before they returned to the road. “Same here.”
“Really?”
Diego nodded. “I don’t like being away from you.”
Ricky’s heart swelled. He’d needed to hear that. Especially after all the doubt, because it seemed like each time he went to the auditorium after school, Diego was talking to Mindy. And she was ridiculously pretty. He wasn’t sure how he’d be able to compete with her, but it sounded like he wouldn’t need to.
During the rest of the drive, Ricky used his index and middle fingers to walk up and down Diego’s leg. His boyfriend kept grabbing his wrist and moving his hand closer to his crotch before Ricky would make his little man run away in fear. Although he did let his fingers cautiously approach once and “kick” a few times experimentally. Diego laughed at this while pulling into the parking lot for Gomez Auto Repair. He parked the Trans Am against the side of the garage.
