Page 88 of Pride High 2: Orange

Ricky nodded. “I’m going to miss you.”

He expected Diego to roll his eyes and make a joke. Instead he said, “Yeah. Same here.”

Ricky checked the clock. They only had about ten minutes left. He glanced toward the house, expecting to see his parents waving him inside, and was struck by inspiration. “Do you want to build a snowman with me?” he asked.

Diego nodded. “Sure.” He got out of the car without saying another word.

Soon they were rolling increasingly large balls of snow across the yard while laughing. They managed to stack three spheres to form the body before the garage door opened. His dad rolled luggage to the back of the car before squinting at them in confusion. “There you are! Who’s this?”

Ricky introduced him to Diego, who smiled flirtatiously at Ami when she appeared. His parents were polite, but also on edge like adults tend to be before a trip, so they had to say goodbye. Ricky walked Diego to his car.

“See you when I get back,” he said. “Hey, do you have any plans for New Year’s?”

Diego nodded. “I’m hanging out with a freshman. You wouldn’t know him. He’s new in town.”

“Sounds great,” Ricky said with a grin.

For the first time in his life, he couldn’t wait for Christmas to be over.

* * * * *

Normally when his parents got into an argument, Cameron put on music so he didn’t have to hear them. Or, if the yelling started after he’d gotten into bed, like at the moment, he would pull the blankets up over his head to muffle the sound. And if that didn’t get the job done, he would curl up into a ball with his hands over his ears. Not anymore. Lately when his parents fought, Cameron strained to listen, needing to know if they were arguing about him.

Tonight sounded especially bad. What a way to celebrate Christmas Eve. And yet, he couldn’t focus on anything else. He heard the door of his parents’ bedroom slam before heavy footsteps moved down the hall. His father, most likely. Cameron tossed and turned in bed, hounded by the thought that the disagreement had been over him. He knew he had his mother’s support. Brenda had made sure, every single day since he came out, to tell him that he was loved and accepted. His father continued to avoid the subject while keeping his distance.

Cameron sighed. He slipped out of bed, put on his navy blue bathrobe, and crept down the stairs like he used to when little. Not to catch Santa in the act. Although he sought the same man. Cameron found his father sitting in a plush chair in the living room, the warm light of the Christmas tree illuminating his troubled expression. Trevor swirled the glass of whisky he held before taking a swig. That’s when he noticed him standing there.

“What are you doing up?” he asked.

“I heard you guys arguing,” Cameron replied.

His father merely grunted in response.

Cameron sat on the couch, in the corner closest to his chair. “It’s not her fault, you know.”

Trevor took another swig, eying him warily. “What isn’t?”

“Me,” Cameron said with a tight throat. “And it’s not yours either. I remember being… I wouldn’t sayattractedto other guys exactly—”

“I don’t need to hear this.”

“You do, because it has nothing to do with you being out of town so much. That’s what I was trying to say. I felt this in me even when you used to be around more, back before you switched jobs. I’ve always been gay, Dad. I didn’t know what it was called back then, but believe me, this is how I’ve been for as long as I can remember. So please don’t blame her.”

Trevor swirled his whiskey in agitation before he finally emptied the glass and set it on the table. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know myself better than anyone else,” Cameron retorted.

“That’s not what I mean.” Trevor shook his head. “You’re young.”

“What’s that have to do with anything?”

“It means you don’t understand how damn difficult it is to be married.”

Cameron clenched his jaw. “I have a boyfriend now.”

“Jesus Christ,” his father hissed with a look of disgust. “This isn’t about you! If that’s the only reason you’re up, you can go back to bed.”

Cameron didn’t move. “Explain it to me then.”