Backdoor Boy

11

Mikey hummed into his cappuccino. It had been almost a week since he'd had one, and he had forgotten how much he loved them. That day, Ray had drawn a heart in the foam for him.

He turned his head to look out of the wide diner window. It was late, and the only people remaining in the shop were him, the few employees who had yet to clock out, and a group of high school kids. Mikey turned back and noticed Ray smiling at him from the other side of the counter. "What?" he asked as he set the mug down.

Ray shrugged and leaned on the counter. "Nothing," he said.

"No, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like that!"

Ray laughed and shushed him. "I can't help it," he said. "You're cute."

Mikey blushed. He looked down into his drink. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"What, what's wrong?"

"Nothing! I'm just embarrassed..."

Ray laughed again. He reached out and lightly brushed Mikey's fingers. "Mikes, I've seen you naked. Why does me calling you cute embarrass you?"

"I'm not good at taking compliments!"

Suddenly, the kitchen doors opened, and Sophia emerged. She was balancing a black tray on her hand and shoulder. "Soph, you got that?" Ray asked. It was a reasonable question; Sophia was a fairly small person, so the large tray looked to be very difficult for her to hold.

"Y-Yeah, I think so," she said. "Um-" She was interrupted by Ray walking over and taking the tray from her. She smiled sweetly at him in thanks before he walked away. She slid over to talk to Mikey.

"Hey, you!" she said. "What's up? How're you two doing?"

Mikey smiled and nodded. "We're good!" he said. "What about you two?"

Sophia laughed. "Well, Ray has this friend," she said, "And lately they've been spending a lot of time together. Do you think it's something I should worry about?"

"You want me to be real with you?"

"Of course."

Mikey looked to his sides before leaning across the counter. "Well, from what you're telling me," he said, his voice lowered, "I think your boyfriend might be gay."

"No!" She threw an arm across her forehead, faking dramatic. "It can't be!"

"But it is!"

Sophia laughed and pushed Mikey back down onto his stool just as Ray rounded the corner of the counter. He smiled at the two of them. "Mikey, are you flirting with my girlfriend?" he asked.

Mikey grinned and took a sip of his drink. "I think your girlfriend is flirting with me, thank you!" he said.

Ray laughed. He leaned over the counter and sighed. "Damn," he whispered.

Mikey leaned on his elbow. His face was inches from Ray's. "What?"

"I just wanna kiss you right now, that's all."

"I wouldn't complain."

"My dad's working tonight. Wouldn't want him to see, would we?"

Mikey gave a heavy sigh. "Why do you have to be in the closet?" he whined.

"Because I'm a catholic boy, remember?"

Mikey pouted. Ray laughed and stood back up. Sophia took his arm and slid it around her waist just as Ray's father came out of the kitchen. He exchanged a few gruff words in Spanish with his son, nodded to Mikey, then returned to the back. "What was that about?" Mikey asked.