can't blame a girl for trying | a rini au

21. (Novelty)

As Ricky makes his way back to the gym from the pool, he walks with EJ, who, while captain, didn't have to stay back to talk to the coach this time around.

"You mind if I ask you something?" He broaches the subject carefully, unsure what exactly his plan of action was, but wanting advice nonetheless.

"Yeah, what's up Bowen?" EJ's more laid back today for some reason, but Ricky's not about to question that.

"I know Red said you and Kat used to date... Did you ever meet her parents?" He asks, voice a bit tentative as he tries not to make things too uncomfortable.

EJ laughs, shaking his head. "I didn't exactly go out with her long enough for that to be something I wanted to do, no. I don't think it's important unless you're getting serious. I wouldn't stress if she hasn't brought it up."

He's so casual in the way he basically assumes the relationship couldn't possibly be serious. Ricky's actually more intrigued by this than much else of his actual answer.

"Oh... I'm um. I'm actually asking since I'm meeting them tonight. I guess that means it is serious." Ricky replies, explaining himself properly now.

That causes EJ's eyes to widen. "Oh? Wow. I wasn't expecting that. From either of you frankly. Especially when Red made it sound like you were maybe into Nina before? Guess not. Plus Kathryn Bradley doesn't really do serious too often. Don't think that's usually her fault, but- you know."

"Not her fault..." Ricky repeats slowly.

"I mean it's high school, plenty of people are hooking up and running. You two getting past that she must really feel good about you. No wonder you're meeting her parents."

Ricky's mind is reeling, he never really thought about that part. EJ's bringing up things he genuinely hasn't even considered.

EJ didn't really ask, but Ricky trusts him at least on some level, regardless of whether he should or not.

"We haven't hooked up." He confesses, and unfortunately, his companion reads it wrong.

"Well I mean obviously it's not a 'hookup' if you're together, but- you know. Same deal."

"No, no. I'm saying we haven't slept together yet." Ricky admits, face a bit red.

"Seriously?" This seems to genuinely catch the waterpolo captain off guard. "Never?"

"Never. I mean we're not angels by any sense of the word but- we haven't gone all the way."

"Dude you really should think about changing that... Or well wait- if you're waiting for marriage there's no shame in it but- I never took you for the type."

"I'm not- I didn't. I just- we haven't done it yet and I don't want to push things too fast."

"Dude she's not going to wait forever... Just make a plan for when you can be all alone and then do your thing. Hell you could make it special and do the candles and roses and shit. You're meeting her parents, I think you're ready."

"I see..." Ricky listens to EJ's advice, but knows he has to do these things on his own. Make these choices on his own.

"Yeah. Anyway dude your girlfriend is fucking hot, you should take full advantage of that."

"Got it... Thanks for the advice I guess?"

"No problem Ricky. See you on Monday?"

"See you Monday..." His voice trails off as they go their separate ways, EJ towards the parking lot and Ricky to the gym locker rooms where he was supposed to meet his girlfriend.