Epilogue

As Rico prepared for his first official date with Jake, he gussied himself up some more. Jake and him were going to see a movie and then going out to eat. Rico couldn't understand why they had to go out of town to do those things for their first date, but Jake insisted that their town was dull and he was tired of the same old things, arguing that he wanted their first date to be special, by trying something new and different. Not caring where they went, Rico happily accepted his offer. He was fine as long as he and Jake were together.

He suddenly heard honking outside, which indicated that Jake was there. Rico checked himself in the mirror one last time, admiring his appearance. He did a nice job picking out his outfit and his doing his hair. It's been a week since he and Jake have been released from that room and they've grown closer, especially during their community service event at the Saundergate building. He rushes past his parents, who tell him, "Have a good date" and that they love him. He thanks them and says he loves them back and joins Jake in his vehicle in a hurry, since the movie starts in an hour.

He pecks Jake's lips. "You look handsome, Jake."

"You too, babe." He drives off, once Rico shuts the door and puts on his seatbelt.

During the car ride, Rico and Jake conversed about trivial things, such as the season finale of their favorite television show and debated on the characters' development, defending their favorites. Rico just couldn't shake away his next question. "Jake, why don't you want our parents to meet?" A few nights ago when they spoke on the phone, Jake told him that he didn't want their parents to meet with no explanation. When Rico inquired more, Jake snapped at him and said he's not ready, which Rico doesn't consider a good enough reasoning. Jake even said he's not ready for Rico to meet them as well. He truly didn't understand, since Jake told him that his parents were okay with them being together.

"Rico, I already told you why," Jake sighed, "Please. I don't want to fight about it right now."

"But, Jake—"

"Rico, just drop it, please."

"I get that you're not ready for all of that," Rico started, "But, I'm also confused, since you told me your parents were okay with you dating me. Can you tell me why?"

Jake stopped at a red light. "Rico, I already told you why."

Rico retorted, "Your reason is bullshit." Jake grew irritated with his persistent boyfriend. Before he could respond, Rico asked, with hurt, "Are you ashamed of me?"

"Rico, you know that I'm not ashamed of you." He placed his right hand over Rico's while keeping one hand on the steering wheel. The light turned green and he drove.

"Then, why can't our families meet? And why can't I go to your house?" Jake has been over Rico's house plenty times since they've been released from the hellish equipment room a week ago, and Rico's sure that Jake will be over some more. When Rico asked if he could go over Jake's house, Jake said he couldn't because he wasn't ready for that yet. At the time, Rico brushed it off and didn't any further questions. His annoyance grew when that same reasoning was used as to why their parents can't meet.

"Do you really want to go to my house?"

"Yeah."

Jake sighed, eyeing the road ahead. "Why? It's just my boring house. What's the fuss about?"

Rico snapped his attention to Jake with evident annoyance. "Don't do that, Jake."

"Don't do what?"

"Don't you treat this like I'm just....." he trails off.

"Like you're just what?"

"Like I'm just whining about spilled milk," Rico continues, "Going to your house is important to me. I've not once been inside and I'd frankly like to see how my boyfriend lives and where he grew up. Don't patronize my feelings." Rico's been more than patient with Jake and his nonsensical excuses and he refuses to remain composed while his emotions are belittled.

"I'm sorry, you're right." Jake turned on the highway. "Want to know the honest truth?" Rico's solemn expression answered the question, along with his folded arms. "My parents aren't okay with this."

"But you said—"

"I lied."

"Why?" Rico asked, "Are you okay, Jake?" His annoyance dwindles as concern takes its place.

"My parents are trying to come to terms with it, step by step," he explains, "I don't want to bring you around them or your parents—not yet at least, because they're the ones not ready. So, I don't talk about the LGBT topic around them, because it's uncomfortable."

Rico finally understood. "Why didn't you just tell me that?"

"Because I didn't want to worry you."

"How are they to you?"

"They're fine. It's all fine, Rico—see? You're worried now, aren't you?"

"Well, you're my boyfriend," Rico points out, "So, of course I'd worry." It concerned Rico that Jake lied to him. What else has he lied about? Is there anything else he lied about?

"No need to worry. It's going to be okay," he turns on an exit.

The way that Jake said that didn't ease Rico at all. What does he mean by "it's going to be okay"? His wording implies that it already isn't okay, but he hopes it to be okay, even though he just argued that everything is fine. Rico let it slide for the remainder of the trip.

When they pulled into a parking lot, Rico realized they were at a restaurant. "I thought we were going to the movies first?"

"Movies can wait." He unbuckles his seatbelt, once he picks a parking spot. "There's a later time."

Rico observed the restaurant's exterior and admired the artistry of the outer décor and landscaping. It was a casual restaurant.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, Jake said to the hostess, "I'm the party of two, who called in reservations yesterday."

"Name of party?"

"Terrence."

"Follow me." They led Jake and Rico to their table and told them their server will be with them shortly.

Rico was at a loss for words, as Jake nonchalantly looked through the menu. He found himself smiling and he didn't know why exactly. The sound of their server's voice snapped Rico out of his thoughts.

"Hello, I'm your waiter, Sal." They placed a complimentary basket of biscuits on the table. "What drink can I start you two off with?"

"I'll take a water," Jake answers, "What about you, baby?"

Rico was too focused on the expression of realization on their waiter's face, who didn't hide their disgust and shock. Rico flickered his eyes at Jake, who was too focused on looking through the menu. "Is there an issue?" Jake looked up, eyeing Rico in astonishment. What's up with Rico?

"Not at all, sir," the waiter replied, fixing their face quickly.

"I'll take a Sprite," Rico replied.

They scribbled it down. "Any appetizers I could start you two off with?"

"Yeah," Jake answered, "We'll take an order of boneless barbeque wings. Want anything in particular, Rico?" He looks at Rico, who acted as if he didn't just call out the waiter for whatever reason.

"No, I'm fine."

"Alright, I'll be right back." They walked off.

"Rico, what was that all about?"

"Did you see the way they looked at us, when they became aware that we're a couple?"

"Who cares what they think?"

"But, Jake—"

"Baby, it's okay," he calms Rico down, "We could get a new waiter. I'll ask for a new waiter."

"Alright."

While they were both conversing and deciding on their meal, they're met with a new server and their appetizer being placed on the table. "I was informed there were issues with the last waiter, so I'm your new waiter, Francis. I apologize for the earlier inconvenience. Have you two decided on your meal yet?"

"Yeah," Rico answers, "I'll take the prime rib meal with a side of mashed potatoes and macaroni."

"I'll have the order the shrimp kebab meal, with a side of garden salad and green beans," Jake orders.

"What dressing would you like with that salad?"

"Could I have ranch and Italian dressing?"

"Sure can." They scribbled both orders down and went off.

Rico snickered, "So, they just dismissed themselves as our waiter before we even got a chance to?"

"Yeah," Jake chuckles, "Better that way though. At least we know they won't spit in our food."

Rico laughs even more. "Good point." He forks a boneless wing and takes a bite from it. "Mm, this is so good."

Jake forks one as well and stuffs the entire piece in his mouth.

"Geez, big mouth," Rico teases, finishing his piece off. He forks another, while Jake still works on chewing his piece. "I still cannot believe Ken asked if we could double date."

Jake chuckles, "Yeah, I couldn't believe your friend suggested that." Jake and Rico wanted their first date to be only their date alone—with themselves.

"I wouldn't mind doing a double date in the future though," Rico adds, "It'd be fun." He forks another boneless chicken wing.

Jake agrees. "Maybe bowling or something." A few moments later, Jake's salad is placed on the table and he instantly mixes both dressings into the salad and digs in. Jake enjoyed the crunch of croutons—something his parents were very restrictive about, regarding health. He also enjoyed a breadstick—something else that his parents regulated him from eating, whenever they went out to restaurants, which was rarely. When he was nearly finished with his salad, he noticed that all of the boneless wings were gone and Rico was sipping his Sprite. "Jesus, Rico. You didn't even leave me one."

"You had your one wing," he selfishly replies, "Besides, you have your salad. What did you expect me to do? Watch you eat in front of me and ignore it?"

Jake chortles, "If you were so hungry, you should've ordered another appetizer, hungry ass."

"You're right, Jake," Rico replies, joining in on Jake's light laughter. "The chicken was so good; I couldn't stop eating them."

After several gibes and playful jokes with momentary handholding and kisses, their food finally came out. In between exchanges, their server came to refill their drinks and check on them from time to time.

When they were finished, they paid the bill, left a tip, and headed to the movies. Jake turned on his GPS and Rico listened to his classical music with his music player, since Jake refused to allow him to play his music through the auxiliary cord. Rico shut his eyes while his Pachelbel playlist blasts in his ears. He couldn't believe Jake would rather hear his stupid GPS system speak to him with background silence and not the sophisticated, relaxing music he had in mind. It was Jake's loss.

Rico's music relaxed him so much, he dozed off and was awaken by Jake. "Rico, we're here." Rico unbuckled his seatbelt, took his earbuds out, cut his music player off and was getting ready to exit the vehicle, but Jake stops him.

"Baby, what are you doing?"

"Going into the theater," Rico replies, with confusion. What else would he be doing?

"Look around you."

Rico did just that and became aware that they're at a drive-in movie theater. "Jake...", he trails off. He saw all the other cars, the lights to the restroom and concession, and the lights around the exits.

"I thought this would be better for us." Jake reached over Rico's lap to pop the trunk open and exited the car momentarily and came back with a couple blankets and camping chairs. He and Rico sat by each other outside, covered up, by each other, and watched the movie. In the middle of it, Jake got too cold and they decided to watch the remainder inside the car.

When the movie was over, Jake drove them to the exit and felt Rico's hand on his thigh. He snorted, "Rico, what are you doing?"

"Nothing," he said, with fake innocence, yet proceeded to rub his thigh. He became dangerously close to Jake's inner thigh and chuckled to himself when he noticed Jake tense up at the progression.

"Rico...," Jake groaned, grabbing his hand, "Do you want us to get into an accident?"

Rico teased, "Okay, I'll stop for now."

Jake was finally able to exit the drive-in after the major traffic subsided. He spotted a location nearby and parked the car in an empty parking lot of an empty building and began to heavily make out with Rico, who anticipated the kiss. To Jake's utter shock, Rico initiated the groping — something that Jake felt he would need to initiate — and was being more aggressive than Jake was expecting. As they smooched, Rico dived his hands under Jake's shirt and caressed his chest. As things escalated and both Jake and Rico became topless, Rico climbed over to Jake's seat, got on his lap and continued kissing him. With heightened emotions and intensified desire, both of them, now bare, began kissing each other in other places besides their lips.

"I want you, Jake," Rico groaned, as his neck was kissed.

"Yeah?" Jake murmured against his ear, caressing the small of his back.

"Yeah." Rico responded, chortling from the ticklish feeling from his ear. He reached over to the passenger's side and grabbed his pants.

"Rico?" Jake questionably states. His eyes widened when he saw that Rico pulled out a condom from his pants pocket. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I am," Rico answered, kissing Jake's lips. "I love you and I'm ready."

Jake considered this for a second and while thinking, Rico reconnected their lips together and kissed Jake's shoulder. "I love you too," he said, making up his mind shortly.

When both reached their peak, they stayed in the same positions until each of them caught their breaths again.

"I loved this date," Rico kisses him.

"I love you," Jake retorts, kissing back.

On the way back home, Jake couldn't shake away the guilt. The guilt of lying to Rico. Once again. About his parents.

When he dropped Rico, who didn't want to leave, off at home, he responded to Luciana's text from hours ago, that asked about the details of his and Rico's date: "We went to the movies to see Redemption 2 and out to eat at Rob's." Luci agreed to be Jake's fake girlfriend, for as long as he lived in his parents' household. His parents hurled an ultimatum his way—information he kept from Rico, to not worry him—stating that if he didn't "turn back straight" which meant breaking up with Rico, he'd be on his own. Jake didn't want to find out what they meant by him being on his own, so he acted compliant to their demands, while seeing Rico in secrecy. Luci is the only reason why he and Rico have been able to spend so much time together this week and he's forever grateful for her and her generosity. Strange thing is, her voluntary actions have made her and him less hostile towards each other; they've become much closer as friends, which is still shocking to Jake when he thinks about it. How weird would it have been if he and Rico went on a double date with her and Ken? Jake's parents are buying the fake girlfriend charade and he and Luci are excellent at making it appear legitimate.

Whatever it takes to stay with Rico, Jake will risk it. Risk it all. Rico is the first person to break him free from his restrictive life over their Spring Break. He and Rico may have spent most of the week-long vacation locked out of Spring Break, however, he wasn't locked out of everything else.

He won't allow his parents to lock him out of his freedom—his freedom called Rico Arias. Rico unlocked the chains surrounding Jake from the moment they first interacted with one another as kids. With Rico, he is no longer locked out or restricted, he is allowed access and he won't give that up for anything. He is free.