| ☠ | Ricky's POV | ☠ |

It's hard to lie to Devin's eyes, his smile, him. That's why, I was so relieved when I had an excuse not to tell him about me. He's really cute, sweet, smart... I like him, a lot. I'm admitting it. I have a crush on Devin, even if I shouldn't. So, I don't want him to find out how fucked up I am.

He's kind of like me though. He said he used to be a privately owned slave, just like I was. And he got abused bad by his owner, just like me. Maybe he won't think of me as bad then. What if he finds out about all my mental problems though? He must already think I'm a big baby for the way I can't handle confrontation.

Devin went to answer the door. I saw Angelo and Josh standing on the other side, and he let them inside. Ange was dressed pretty casual because he wasn't working tonight. Balz did work, but he had taken off his usual dress up and thrown on a t-shirt.

"Evening." Devin said to them. "Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes if you wanted to stay."

"Sure. Chris is working late tonight anyways. Just let me text him." Angelo replied, leaning over the counter.

"I won't be. Ryan-Ashley and I need to pack tonight. We're going back to her parents for the holidays and our flight leaves tomorrow morning." Josh explained.

"How long are you going to be gone?" Devin asked.

"Three weeks. I'm using almost all my vacation days but it's worth it for a break." He said. "I should get going, but I wanted to check on Ricky."

"I'm fine." I muttered, forcing a smile.

"I had a talk with Mike. He seemed sorry about last night, but you never know with him."

Oh, he meant about Mike. At least he doesn't know about tonight. I really don't want anyone to know I almost got drugged. God only knows what would have happened following that. I don't want to even think what that guy could have done to me. At least Balz believed me when I said I was fine, but I don't think the others did.

Josh left, saying his goodbyes. As soon as he closed the door, Angelo and Devin both stared at me. They looked as if they were waiting for me to say something, but I'm not sure what...

"Truth. Now." Angelo said.

I pushed my hair behind my ear. "About what?"

"Are you okay?" Devin asked.

"Yes." I insisted.

"No you're not." Ange replied. "We've been doing this ten years. We know what 'not okay' looks like."

I got down from my seat. This was making me uncomfortable and I just wish I could walk away from it. I tried to shrug it off as I went over to my bed to plug my phone in.

"Ricky, we need to talk about it." Angelo stated.

I kept my back turned to them so they couldn't see my face turning red. "I don't want to." I choked out, feeling one tear fall down my cheek.

Someone placed their hand over my shoulder. I was ashamed that I was breaking in front of them, so I didn't look up to see who it is.

"C'mon, Sweetie." Devin very softly spoke in my ear. "Sit down here." He gently pulled me down to the bed, bringing me close to his chest. "Just let it out."

Angelo came over and sat down on the other side of me. He rubbed his hand on my back. I didn't want to do this, but at the same time, I wanted to cry even harder. It felt good to cry. Yet I know I'm going to hate myself for breaking like this.

Angelo ran his thumb under my eyes to push away my tears. "It's okay, Honey. We've all been there."

"He's right. You talk when you're ready, okay?"

I shuttered. "I'm f-fine. It's just... Gave me flashbacks, I-I guess."

I felt someone's hand in mine. Looking down, I saw it was Devin's. As much as I love Angelo like a brother, I kind of wish he wasn't here. I really wanted to get closer to Devin. Running my thumb over the ink on his knuckles, I read the word 'LOST' across them.

"I mean it when I say, we've been there. Ange and I have seen some bad shit in our days. The important thing is, we are alive. We're in a safe home, with a paying job, and food to eat." Devin reassured me. "Speaking of, you feel like eating now?"

I sighed and forced a smile. "I'll try."