Page 13 of Pride High 3: Yellow

Diego’s brow furrowed. “Don’t make jokes about you dying. I don’t like it.”

“Sorry,” Ricky said, mentally kicking himself. Diego had already lost his father. Of course he didn’t find such things funny.

“Besides,” Diego said, shifting in his seat. “I’d rather be taking you from behind when I slit your throat.”

Ricky laughed. He couldn’t help it. To his relief, Diego did too.

“Where are we going?” he asked, and not for the first time.

Diego shook his head. “You’ll see.”

“It’s just that you said not to eat anything.”

“We’ll have dinner, don’t worry.”

“And to dress warm.” Ricky was wearing a thick brown sweater that made him appear bulkier than he really was. “So are we going to be outside all night?”

“Nah,” Diego said. “I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry.”

God he loved the sound of that! The Trans Am slowed as the road curved to the left and ended. They had reached a small clearing just large enough for a vehicle to turn around in. They parked to one side. Diego shut off the engine. In the dark of the interior, he was reduced to a sinister silhouette. Which only turned Ricky on that much more.

“This is a great spot,” he said, crawling over the gap between their seats and attempting to kiss his boyfriend.

“We’re not there yet,” Diego said, holding him at bay.

Ricky returned his attention to the world outside the car. The clearing was ringed by trees, their leafless branches like skeletal fingers that clawed at the wanning moon. “That’s okay,” he squeaked. “I like it here.”

“You’ll like it better where we’re going,” Diego said before leaving the car.

Ricky slipped out right behind him so they would remain close. He glanced around and shivered before following Diego to the trunk. “You’re not going to leave Frankenstein out here all by himself, are you?” He intentionally referenced the car’s nickname to remind Diego of his affection for it.

“He’s not scared of the dark,” his boyfriend responded. “Are you?”

“No! Of course not.”

“Good.” Diego opened the trunk and took out a huge backpack, the kind that hikers used… complete with a rolled up sleeping bag.

“Not at all,” Ricky added as he imagined what they might need it for.

“Then let’s go.”

Diego shouldered the pack and walked them to the edge of the clearing, where a narrow path disappeared into the night.

“Wait,” Ricky said, fear making his knees not want to bend. “I amkind ofscared. I don’t like being in the woods.”

Diego snorted and took a step forward. “Right.”

“I mean it,” Ricky said, grabbing his arm to stop him.

Diego looked over his shoulder before turning to face him. “Why would you be scared of a bunch of trees? If you’re worried about wild animals, don’t be. All the noise we’re making will scare them off.”

Ricky swallowed. “It’s not that either.”

Diego shook his head, not understanding. “I’ll keep you safe. Okay?”

Ricky nodded, but when he looked toward the woods again, he froze. Until he felt the warmth of a big strong hand envelop his own.

“I promise,” Diego said.