Chapter 7

Nico dressed quickly the first day of break. He decided to visit Rick at his brother's auto-shop. How could he let two months pass? How could he neglect his best friend? Dean was a prospective boyfriend, but Rick was more special than that.

The smell of motor oil was very strong and it was really loud. Nico saw Rick behind a counter. He was on a computer and eating a bagel.

Nico rang the smell bell on the counter and Rick looked up sleepily. It was still early.

"Nico?"

"Hey."

"What're you doing here?"

"I came to see you." Nicolas felt nervous looking at Ricky. He really had gained a little bit of weight. "We haven't hung out in a long time."

"That wasn't my decision." Nico flinched. Rick was angry.

"I know... I'm sorry."

"Why are you here now? Dean go on vacation?"

"Yeah..." Nico mumbled. "But I did miss you." Rick sighed.

"Yeah, I guess I missed you too."

"What time are you off?" Asked Nico, glad Rick forgave him for being such an idiot.

"Whenever I want." He walked from behind the counter. "Steve I'm heading out!" A blond with Rick's once shaggy hair looked up and waved, he glanced at Nico and smiled.

They ended up getting something to eat. Rick was the hungry one, Nico just enjoyed seeing him again. When conversation became scarce Nico found his mind wandering and thought of Rick...naked. He felt his face go hot and Ricky resumed the conversation.

Two weeks later Dean returned from Nebraska. He actually kissed Nico. It felt stolen, but Nico didn't mention it. But it wasn't a kiss he wanted to give away so easily. He wanted his first kiss to be something... not just a half-wanted peck.

School would start again in two days. Nico and Rick were closing in the gap that had formed from their months of silence, but Dean always wanted to hang out.

Nico couldn't handle it. He didn't want either guy to get hurt. Dean liked him as more than a friend, but Ricky was his BEST friend. He couldn't just kick one guy to the curb.

"Nico, what's up with you lately?" Asked Dean. They were on the couch in Nico's living room. Paul and Hank Sr. were out at a sports bar.

"Nothing." Nico felt he had been acting as normal as always.

"You seem distant lately... did I do something?"

"No!"

&qu ot;Cause I don't want any problems between us." His arm had been resting behind Nico's back. He pulled him in closer. It would be a lie to say he didn't enjoy it. Dean was warm and smelled like aftershave. His muscled arm was solid and Nicolas moved in closer to him.

"There's nothing wr...wrong between us."

"As long as you're sure." They kissed again, and this time Nico wanted it. "You are my boyfriend."

'Am I his boyfriend?' Nico wondered. He hadn't considered Dean his boyfriend. Dean was a guy, a cute guy, but a guy he just hung out with. But was it really a problem? Nico liked spending time with Dean. Dean liked spending time with Nico. There should have been no problem with Nico excitedly agreeing, but there was a problem. A problem Nico couldn't understand.