Sing for Their Supper - 46

 

"They're so cute," Dena whispered to Jolie, pointing at DJ and Evie. "I wish—"

 

"You had someone? Me, too. The problem is, there's only Mace."

 

"Huh? What about Sam and Ricky?"

 

Jolie shot her a look of disbelief. "They're gay."

 

"You're kidding. Sam? Ricky, maybe. But Sam?"

 

"Yeah." Jolie nodded toward Sam and Ricky, who were on one of the blankets at the far side of the fire. "Not only that, but I'm betting there's something going on between them."

 

Dena leaned over so she could see them past the fire. "Umm, that would be my guess, too."

 

*****

 

Ricky was sprawled on his side leaning on one elbow as he watched the fire. Sam was sitting cross-legged next to him, more interested in Ricky than anything else going on around them. Since their talk the previous evening, he'd had trouble keeping his gaze off Ricky.

 

Do we want to go there? For at least the tenth time that day he imagined the two of them in bed together. And he had a vivid imagination—born more from the occasional porn magazine he'd found buried in a trash can when he was scrounging for food than from personal experience. What personal experience? A couple of blow jobs in high school? I don't think those count.

 

He wondered if Ricky would know what to do, if they actually tried anything. He wasn't certain if he hoped he would, because it would make things easier—or that he wouldn't, because it would mean he'd never been involved that way with anyone else.

 

"You're watching me again," Ricky said, smiling.

 

Sam nodded. "Have been all day."

 

"I know."

 

"It's that obvious?"

 

Ricky sat up. "Sort of. Of course, I'm very aware, because I've been watching you, too, when you weren't looking. Hopefully, the rest of them haven't noticed."

 

"Because you don't want them to know?"

 

Ricky laughed. "No. I don't care if they do. It's just… I'm not big on being teased, and you know that could happen."

 

Sam arched an eyebrow. "You? Who likes to be the center of attention?"

 

"I don't," Ricky protested.

 

Sam knew that, but still… He was feeling wicked. Maybe the result of being tired. Maybe because he and Ricky were here with everyone else, but still alone on the other side of the fire. Whatever the reason, he said, "Well, you're going to be." Then he kissed him.

 

"What are you doing?" Ricky said in shock when it ended.

 

"I think it's called kissing."

 

"I know that. But damn, Sam."

 

"You didn't like it?"

 

"Well, yeah. But… Hell." Ricky kissed him back. "There. Satisfied?"

 

"For now." Sam hugged him. "So. It looks like they're getting the marshmallows out. Shall we?"

 

"You bet. After all, they were my idea." Ricky jumped up, pulled Sam to his feet, and they went to join the others. There were a few knowing looks, especially from Dena and Jolie, but everyone managed to hold their tongues about what they had seen—or thought they knew—about the growing relationship between Sam and Ricky.