hello, goodbye, hello.

Chapter 15: A Window of Opportunity

GodDAMNIT RICKY!

"How do you explain that? You ghost me and then you have some...some other person in your bedroom? You're not ready to have sex with me, but you'll invite some other person over?"

"It's not like that I-"

"What am I supposed to think, EJ?"

Gina began to tear up as her voice grew louder.

"You leave me, your girlfriend during a really personal, special moment in our relationship to-to FUCK SOME OTHER GIRL?"

"I DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER GIRL OVER LAST NIGHT!" EJ yelled, standing up.

EJ had never yelled at Gina. It caught her off guard. Seeing Gina's expression, EJ walked over to her and sat on the arm of her chair.

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. I just-you gotta believe me. I didn't...I wouldn't cheat on you. I promise."

"Then what was that about? Who was in your room?"

"I-"

EJ began, but he wasn't sure how to start. Sure, he could tell Gina the truth. He found Ricky drunk in the road and took him home. He could even leave out the part about them sleeping in the same bed. And he would definitely leave out any details about how they woke up this morning. Without those details, it really was an innocent story, at least on EJ's side. Heck, it made EJ look like a hero. But what about Ricky? This story painted him, at best, as an irresponsible idiot, and at worst, some sort of secret alcoholic. Maybe EJ just didn't want anyone else to know about last night. Or maybe he didn't want to betray any sliver of trust between he and Ricky now, but whatever the reason, EJ was putting Ricky's reputation before his own.

"It was my...cousin."

"Ashlyn? But I thought she-"

"No, my other cousin..R-Ric...Ricardo." EJ stared blankly at Gina, trying to be as convincing as possible.

Ricardo? Really? Might as well have called him Richard!

"I'm not following." Gina said back, apparently buying it though. "Why haven't I ever met your cousin Ricardo before? And what was he doing here then? And why would he have to sneak out of a window?"

Time to put those acting skills to use.

"He's actually...from out of town." EJ's voice got low in this next part, he tried to sound as sincere as possible. "Ricardo is from...Minnesota, and his parents...well they kind of...kicked him out last week. He drove down here in one day and needed a place to stay for the night. Showed up completely by surprise."

"Oh my gosh that's awful!" Gina replied. "Why did his parents-"

"Listen you can't tell anyone but, well I suppose it's okay, you don't really know him, but his parents found out that he's gay and I guess Aunt Clara and Uncle Cletus are like, extremely homophobic...so they kicked him out. And anyway he didn't have a place to go so he came down here to see us."

"Wow. That's just...that's so terrible. I didn't know people were still like that. What the fuck is wrong with your aunt and uncle?...But wait, I still don't understand why he left through the window."

"Well you see my parents weren't here last night and they don't even know that all this is going on, but Ricardo was worried that if they saw him they'd call my aunt and it would be a whole mess. I guess he must've thought you were my parents pulling up earlier."

Gina stared into EJ's face for a moment. Somehow, she didn't sense any bit of dishonesty there.

"Oh EJ, I-I am SO sorry I got upset at you. I...I just I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I shouldn't have accused you of...Oh god I'm so sorry."

Gina wrapped her arms around EJ, who in turn put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's...it's alright. Lord knows I've given you reason to think what you did. I'm also sorry, I should've called you and let you know what was going on."

"No. No you don't need to be sorry. I totally get it all now."

Gina released from the hug and stood up suddenly, causing EJ, who, up until now, was leaning against her to fall back in the chair.

"So what are we going to do to help Ricardo?" Gina asked proudly.

"We?"

"Yes! I can't just sit back and let you handle all this on your own. Your cousin needs help, I'm sure the Wildcats would love to help out and-"

"NO!" EJ blurted out, standing up as he did.

"I mean...no...Look, I know you have the best intentions, but I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone."

"But EJ where is he going to stay? How is he going to eat? Take care of himself? He can't just wander the streets of Salt Lake City alone."

"I know. I know. And I love how ready you are to help out. But I've got it handled for now. Look I'll tell my parents when they get home and we'll work it out as a family. It'll be okay. Ricardo is strong."

"Still...promise me that if things get too difficult for you that you'll come to me for help."

EJ looked into Gina's eyes. They were sparkling with inspiration and concern.

"Of course. I promise. Thank you." EJ said, pulling Gina into a hug. It was then that he noticed Reilly had been standing near the living room for, probably this whole time. Reilly looked at EJ and gave him 'the eyebrow'. EJ pretended not to notice, but he knew now that he was indeed in deep shit.

"And, to make up for last night..." EJ said, pulling away. "How about you and I go get breakfast together?"

Gina smiled and nodded.

"Great, let me run upstairs and grab my wallet, I'll meet you outside?"

"I'll drive." She said, heading out the door.

EJ headed towards the stairs, but was stopped by Reilly who pointed to the coffee table in the living room where EJ's phone and wallet were sitting.

EJ grabbed them and headed to the door. As he was about to leave, Reilly spoke.

"Should I have the cook prepare an extra plate for "Ricardo" tonight?" Reilly said, facetiously.

EJ looked back at him with a pleading face.

"Not my problem to fix, young man." Reilly said sternly. "The squashed rhododendron bush outside, on the the other hand, well...please tell your mysterious new "cousin" to be more careful with them next time."

🌼🌼🌼

Okay I may have just written my new favorite character in this book. Reilly is definitely making a return later. That poor man, having to watch over EJ growing up. He deserves a raise.

Anyway, I do feel kinda bad making EJ lie to Gina like that, but I think you'll agree that it's in character for him. And it is sort of endearing that he would protect Ricky from shame like that. I think so anyway. Besides, as trusting as Gina is, you know she's going to sniff out the truth one way or another.

I do hope you'll keep reading and find out!

Peace, Love, and Joy

Flora T.