Nate shrugged as he got up from his chair. “Think about it. I know you’ll make the right choice. See you later.” He left the room and everyone seemed to be staring.
“Show’s over, kiddies!” Bas shouted at them all. “Either get your asses studying or go the fuck home.” He sat down in Nate’s vacated chair. “How you holding up?”
“What was that?” Adam asked.
Bas shook his head. “I dunno, sweetie, but don’t go anywhere alone.”
Adam sighed. He wished he could just skip school and spend a few days with Ru. San Diego was probably pretty warm and sunny this time of year. And anywhere Ru was had to be better than here. “If I go, will you go with me?”
Bas shrugged. “Sure. We can be the homo parade.” Adam threw him a dirty look. “Kidding, kidding. So let’s talk about the homecoming dance. Are you going to bring Ru?”
“What? No. I’m not going to the dance. I may go to the game, but Ru’s not even going to be in town on Friday, so I’m definitely not going to the dance.”
“If he were here, would you?”
Adam thought about it. He would love to dance with Ru. He’d love to be that open with him in public, show everyone the amazing guy he’d fallen in love with. But it would be bad. People would recognize Ru. Some might even get violent with them just for being out.
“No.”
Protecting Ru was the most important thing he could do right now. Even if that meant keeping their relationship a secret. He wasn’t going to use Ru to gain popularity or fame like the man’s ex had. And he’d play Nate’s game if he had to.
