Page 14 of Rico

“Nah, I think we’ve got it covered. Only had to toss the one fish. David was still here after his shift ended, so he took Brett to the hospital to get stitched up. Adam said they have everything under control in the kitchen.” If the head chef needed help, he would ask for it.

“All right. Let me know if you need me to come in.”

“I will, but I doubt it. Like I said—just wanted to give you a heads up.”

“Thanks. Talk to you later.”

It wasn’t until after he disconnected the call that Rico noticed he wasn’t alone on the patio. Mark sat in a chair near a fire pit, tapping away on his cell phone. Rico strode over and took the chair opposite him. He hadn’t missed the way Mark eyed him during dinner. After the trip to the driving range the other night, things seemed to have shifted between them. Gone was the wariness in the teen’s eyes, replaced by appreciative ogling. Rico was on the receiving end of those looks often, and he knew what they meant.

“Can I ask you something?” he said to Mark, who lifted his gaze to him. “You don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.”

The teen shrugged. “Sure.”

“I get the feeling something’s been on your mind lately. Do you want to talk about it?”

A long pause followed as Mark debated whether he wanted to go down the road Rico suspected was in front of him. Finally, he nodded. “How did you know you were gay?”

Rico leaned back in the chair and casually placed his ankle on the opposite knee. “I was just about your age when I figured it out. I’d look at girls and realize they didn’t stir up these feelings that I got when I looked at guys.” He waited a moment before asking, “Is that what’s happening with you?”

Mark’s cheeks reddened before he nodded. “Yeah. It kinda scares me, though.”

“Because you’re afraid you’ll lose some friends and family members if you come out?”

“Uh-huh. That’s what happened to my dad. Some of his friends dumped him, and my mom’s sister and her family stopped talking to him afterward. They get this disgusted look on their faces when Dad’s name is mentioned. It pisses my mom off—pisses me off too.”

“I get it. Being gay isn’t always easy, even in this day and age.” Rico sighed heavily. “But if you lose anyone because of who you’re attracted to, then those people weren’t worth having in your life anyway. But you’ve got a great man to look up to. Your dad will always be there for you. Not every gay kid has a parent who truly gets it. You’re lucky. And if you have questions you’re embarrassed to ask your dad, you can always come to me.”

Mark shyly dropped his gaze to the ground. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Movement out of the corner of his eye had Rico turning his head to see Evan quietly watching them. It was apparent he’d overheard their conversation when he mouthed, “I love you. Thank you,” to Rico. Not wanting Mark to know his secret was out until he was ready for it to be, Rico just winked at Evan andsmiled. When they were alone, there would be plenty of time to let Evan know how much Rico loved him too.

Eight

Three weeks later . . .

Evan double-checked his bowtie before leaving his bedroom. Out in the living room, Rico chatted with Mark and Brian, and once again, he looked sexy as hell in his tuxedo. This one was all black but also fit him perfectly.

Tonight was an award show, and both the sportscast teams of Bentley & Barrett and Morrison & Savage were nominated for awards. Everyone involved in getting the two shows on the air would be in attendance, and Evan had invited Rico to come as his date. It was the first time Evan would be open about his sexual orientation at a work-related event, and he was a bit nervous about it. A few people he trusted knew he was out and proud, but there were others to whom he hadn’t felt comfortable exposing himself.

“How do I look?” He spun around in a circle.

“Good,” Mark and Brian said simultaneously, not even inspecting him beyond a quick glance. His older son flipped through the options on Netflix while the younger one texted someone on his phone.

Rico gave Evan a suggestive smile. “I’d say better than good. Ready to go?”

He patted his pockets. “Got my wallet, keys, and phone. Yup, I’m ready. Guys, don’t eat everything in the pantry and fridge, all right? Leave me something to eat this week. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Brian gave him a thumbs-up. “Good luck, Dad.”

A few minutes later, they were in Rico’s car, a black Dodge Charger that Evan had been lucky enough to drive a few times. He loved the sleek vehicle that fit its owner to a T.

It didn’t take them long to arrive at the Terra Gallery, where the award show was held. Evan chuckled when a valet hungrily eyed Rico’s car.

“Better not be a scratch on it when I get it back,” Rico muttered to him as they strode into the venue. “Or drool.”

The lobby buzzed with people representing all the radio stations in the Bay Area. The first person Evan spotted from KCXN was Lily Albert. When he introduced her to Rico, he almost choked as she grinned with amusement and asked Rico what shoe size he wore.

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