Cesar takes a step back and gives me the world’s cheesiest smile. “You know what that means, right?”
“What?” I wipe my eye.
“In lak’ech, baby!”
I spit out a laugh-cry, and Cesar starts Fortnite dancing. He’s chanting between moves.
“In . . . la . . . keeeeeech!”
He’s twerking now, and how could I not join in? I jump on his bed and floss dance while he attempts to wall twerk. We laugh and sing and twerk. It’s so gay.
7
Thou Shalt Divert Thy Mother’s Gaydar
“I should have known,” Cesar says after wearing himself out with all the twerking.
“Why? How could you have known?” I am a little relieved he didn’t catch on. If my own brother didn’t, other people must not know either.
“I heard you turned Hunter down for homecoming.”
“So? He could have just not been my type.” It’s not like I don’t know Hunter is conventionally attractive. Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I can’t see him.
“I mean . . . if I was single, mmh! He could get it.”
I roll my eyes and change the subject. “Remember that guy who is apparently my boyfriend? Mom wants him to come over for dinner Friday.”
“Oh . . .”
“I got you. I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend’s girlfriend, but only if you tell me everything.” I sit cross-legged on his bed and rest my face on my palms, ready for story time.
“You can’t just put me on the spot! I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. Ask me a question or something.”
“Fine. What did he give you?” With Cesar’s track record, I’m still not 100 percent convinced it was something innocent, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Seriously? How long were you watching us?”
“Like two seconds, chill! I was trying to warn you that Mom was coming.”
“Yeah, thanks for the heads-up,” he mutters. Ungrateful little asshole.
“Excuse me, I just saved your ass. You’re welcome.” I get up to leave, hoping he’ll stop me before I have to commit to pretending to be mad. I want details.
“Wait, no, thank you. It was a promise ring.” He sucks in his bottom lip to hold back a grin. I drop my jaw in a wide smile, hopping back on the bed.
“Let me see! Are you gonna wear it?”
He pulls a ring out of his pocket. It’s a black-and-silver band with a jaguar symbol on it. Perfect for Cesar.
“I can’t wear it. I’m not out. . . .” He rubs the ring between his thumb and index finger and looks down.
“Did you tell him?”
“He knows. He said he wants me to have it anyway, and I can wear it whenever I’m ready. He’ll be waiting a good minute for me to put it on, though.”
“Aww!” I hold back an excited squeak. Jamal is a sweetheart. “How long have you been together?”
“A year today.” Cesar doesn’t do so well hiding his grin this time.
“A YEAR?” I never pictured Cesar as a committed relationship type, but a year is a long time. I can’t believe how oblivious I’ve been. Or how good at hiding it he’s been.
“It’s an anniversary present.” His cheeks flush.
I resist the urge to pinch them because I want him to know I’m taking this seriously. Inside I’m all rainbows and happy squeals. “What’s he like? Is he good to you?”