Page 161 of Pride High 2: Orange

“Stronger and smarter,” he said with a nod of approval. “But uh… We can still lust over your sister’s boyfriends together, can’t we?”

“Count on it!” Mindy said with a laugh.

“Good.” He smiled at her before growing serious. “I want you to know that you never have to make lemonade alone.” Cameron scrunched up his face. “Why does that sound like peeing all of the sudden?” He shook his head. “What I mean to say is that you’ve been there for me when I was upset about my parents. And I’m there for you too. Anytime you need me.”

Mindy’s eyes filled with tears before she threw her arms around his neck. “You’re too sweet,” she said when pulling back. “And I hope you never change.”

“You’ve got my number,” he said, wanting to make sure she knew that he wasn’t just being nice.

Mindy nodded. “And you have mine. Call or stop by anytime. I mean it.”

“Thanks.” Cameron nodded toward her front door. “Are you sure? For old time’s sake?”

Mindy grinned. “Okay. Let’s do it!”

He put the car in park and they ran to front door. They puckered up their lips and sucked in, making high-pitched squeaking noises, and even though nobody opened the door to check on them, they laughed so much that it was hard to see each other through the tears when they finally said goodbye.

CHAPTER 36

January 23rd, 1993

Silvia was smooshed against her side of the truck. That’s what happened when four bodies squeeze into the front, although she was pretty sure Omar was closer than he needed to be. And she liked it. Especially at a stoplight, when he nuzzled his nose against her neck, the affectionate gesture accompanied by a whiff of pizza. She liked that too. He had a job now, which was hot, and who didn’t love Archie’s Pizza Pi?

Their evening together had begun at the restaurant. As soon as Omar was off work, they reconvened at a diner and sipped free refills while talking and goofing around. Silvia made sure the waitress got a decent tip, since the diner itself didn’t make much money off them. The night had been a lot of fun.

For everyone but Keisha, who hadn’t been invited. Silvia had shot down the idea when Mindy suggested it. That still weighed heavily on her mind, but she was tired of doubting herself. Especially now that she had something solid. She squeezed Omar’s hand when the light turned green before letting go so she could steer.

“Next left,” Omar murmured. “Then it’s the second right.”

“What kind of truck is this?” Ricky asked suddenly.

She glanced past Omar and Anthony to where he sat. Ricky was leaning forward and squinting at her, as if suspicious. And it wasn’t the first such look she’d gotten from him today. “It’s an old one,” she replied, keeping her answer intentionally vague. What if he remembered seeing a certain logo on the grill before she’d rushed him to the urgent care center?

“It’s a Chevy,” Omar clarified.

“We should drive it to the levy,” Anthony added.

“No point,” Silvia interjected. “I heard the levy is dry.”

Ricky looked thoroughly confused. “Is that out by the lake?”

“It’s a song,” Anthony said with a chuckle. “‘American Pie’ by Don McLean. You’ve heard it, right?”

“Even I know that one,” Omar murmured.

Silvia recognized Ricky’s house and pulled over in front of it. “You should listen to oldies more often,” she teased, “so you can be cool like our parents.” Her amusement evaporated when she noticed that he was looking at her funny again.

“Hey!” Omar said, providing a timely distraction. “I found those old home movies you asked about.”

“Really?” Ricky’s head pivoted toward him instead. “Have you watched them yet?”

“Nah. I only brought the box up to my room.”

“That’s great!” Ricky was practically bouncing in his seat. “Can I come see them tomorrow?”

“Uhh…” Omar shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”

Ricky grinned. “How about ten o’clock? Does that work for you?”