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“Did you guys get into an argument or something?”

Ricky sighed. “It doesn’t matter anymore. None of it does.”

“Okay.” Omar grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Butyoumatter to me. For real. I know I’ve been distracted by the whole girlfriend thing lately, but we’re buds. Okay? Don’t think I was just using you.”

“For what?” Ricky asked innocently.

“You know exactly what I mean,” Omar said with a grin. “The next time you feel like doing something stupid, come talk to me. I’m an expert. We’ll come up with a better idea, because man, I’d hate to lose you.”

“Thanks,” Ricky said. He teared up but managed a smile. “You’re my favorite thing about Kansas.”

“It’s a start,” Omar said. “Just don’t let it be the end.”

For whatever reason, this made Ricky sob. That was okay. Omar liked being there for the people he loved, and in the future, he would try even harder.

— — —

The party was winding down. Dave and David had just left with Whitney and a girl from their biology class. Anthony queued one last slow song for Omar and Silvia to dance to, and then went out back to where he had last seen Cameron. His boyfriend was still sitting on the steps of the deck, looking incredibly sexy in the aviator jacket. Anthony thought of their plans—how he intended to sneak over to Cameron’s house tonight—but somehow that didn’t seem as important.

“Hey,” Anthony said, sitting next to him. “I think we’re the last ones here.”

“That was some party,” Cameron replied.

“Yeah. Listen, about tonight…”

“It doesn’t feel right anymore. Does it?”

“No.” Anthony was relieved that he understood. “Not with what happened to Ricky. Do you think it’s our fault?”

Cameron winced. “How we handled things couldn’t have helped. All the secrets and having to avoid him… I know what it’s like to start at a new school. You want friends who take you in and make you feel like you belong. Instead we kept him at arm’s length. Wethoughtwe were doing the right thing—”

“And it’s not like he didn’t have secrets of his own,” Anthony interjected, thinking of Diego. “But yeah, we messed up.”

“We’ll just have to do better,” Cameron said. “From now on, we’ll look out for him so this doesn’t happen again.”

Anthony nodded, still frustrated by the trip to the urgent care center. He hadn’t been able to speak openly and say the things Ricky needed to hear. He was so tired of that. His own parents didn’t know who he was, his best friend had no idea about the most important developments in his life, and people around him were getting hurt. Ricky could have died! Something had to change. And soon.

They talked a while, but when the cold became too much, they went back inside. Silvia had left. Omar’s family was cleaning up. Anthony and Cameron pitched in. Before long, there was nothing left to do but say goodbye.

“Do you want a ride home?” Cameron asked as they walked toward the front door.

“No,” Anthony said. “I’m going to hang out with Omar a little longer.”

“Okay.” Cameron stood there awkwardly.

They couldn’t hug. Or kiss. And it was so freaking stupid.

“I’m leaning forward with need in my eyes,” he whispered.

Cameron recognized the game they sometimes played, but he didn’t smile like he usually did. Instead he looked even more sad. “I lean forward and kiss you,” he murmured in response. “And then I pull you into a hug.”

“I don’t let go. Not for a long time, because it’s exactly what I need.”

Cameron sighed. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” Anthony said. “See you then.”

He accompanied Cameron outside and stood on the front porch until he had driven away. Anthony’s pulse picked up in anticipation. It was time. He could feel it. But he sure hoped it wouldn’t hurt. When he returned indoors, he found Omar in the dining room, stacking his gifts.