Page 179 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“I’ll get it,” Ken said with a worried expression.

“Thanks, Dad.”

When they were alone, his mother placed her hand over his. “Please tell the detective what you know.”

“I can’t, Mom,” he said, his voice shaking. “I won’t do that to him.”

“I wish you would think of yourself,” Ami said. “But if you won’t, then do it for me. I can’t stand the thought of you being locked up somewhere.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just can’t.”

She opened her mouth to reply, but paused, because they both heard arguing. They got to their feet simultaneously and went to investigate. As soon as Ricky saw scowling cinnamon eyes, he broke into a run.

“Diego!” Ricky cried, quite literally, because a few tears of relief broke free before cold fear put a stop to them. He shouldn’t be here!

“I’ll take care of this, son,” Ken turned around to say.

“I only want to talk to him,” Diego growled.

Ricky felt his mother pulling on him and shook her off. “I won’t go anywhere,” he promised. “I’ll be on the front porch the whole time, I swear!”

He slipped past his father and closed the door behind him.

“Hey,” Diego said with an upward nod, as if it was a casual visit.

“You have to get out of here!” Ricky said. “My parents will call the police!”

“I know,” Diego rumbled in response. “But I promised to protect you.”

“Not like this,” Ricky said, pushing on his chest. “Get out of here!”

Diego wasn’t the sort of person who was easy to move against his will. Ricky tried anyway, with little result, before looking up at him with open concern. “Please!” he pleaded.

“I’m not letting you take the blame for this,” Diego said. “I want you to have a nice life.”

“I just want you,” Ricky croaked.

He gave up on trying to move him and clung to Diego’s torso instead. He was surprised when he felt strong arms wrap around him in response, pulling him even closer.

“I’m sorry!” Ricky sobbed. “I should have run away with you.”

“There’s still time,” Diego said, sounding wistful. Then he released Ricky and sat down on the front step, to await his fate.

“Why?” Ricky asked, his voice cracking as he sat down next to him. “You’re going to get in trouble. Don’t do this to yourself!”

“I won’t bail on you,” Diego said, jutting out his chin. “So anyway… When do you have to see the judge?”

“On Friday.”

“I have a feeling I’ll get there first. Just tell them the truth. You’ll be all right.”

“Do you hate me?” Ricky asked.

“Nah,” Diego said. “I get it. If I could go back to how things used to be, I wouldn’t give it up again so easily. Not for someone like me.”

“Don’t say that,” Ricky pleaded. “You’re everything I ever wanted! You’re smart, funny, handsome… You’ve changed the way I look at the world. In a good way. I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re special. And I love you.”

Diego didn’t say it back. Ricky realized that he might not ever hear him speak those words again. But it wouldn’t change how he felt.