You've been friends with Ricky for years. You're also secretly in love with him but are scared to tell him.

You finally throw caution to the wind and just admit your strong feelings for him.

Some swearing but that's about it.

......

Ricky Hauk, rather he knows it or not, has your heart. You just wish you had his, too.

Ricky's had a rough life. You've always tried to be there for him when he needed a shoulder to cry on.

Somewhere along the line, you started falling for him. Hook, line and sinker. And it wasn't just his looks, either. The way he was always looking out for his little brother and always helping his mom, you found that attractive.

You're watching Ricky out of the corner of your eye, wishing you had the guts to tell him how you really felt about him.

He's been extra quiet today and you know he's wrestling inwardly with something's heavy.

"Ricky, is something wrong?" Ricky looks at you, but you feel like he's staring right through you.

"I'm going to clean the bathroom." Ricky takes off. You sigh softly, watching as be disappears into the men's restroom.

"Oh, Ricky. Why won't you let me love you?"

......

"I'm sorry I was acting like a jerk earlier, Y/N. I just got a lot on my mind right now. With needing to find a new job and...." Ricky stops as some pretty girl drives up.

You immediately feel jealous. This wasn't fair. You're the one who's been there for Ricky for years. Ricky practically runs over to the girl and they speak for a few minutes.

You want to cry. You're torn between wanting to watch them and not wanting to watch them.

Ricky comes back to you, this stupid grin on his face. Why can't you make him that happy. Your stomach twists into a knot. You turn away, fearing you'll start bawling.

"Y/N, are you okay?" Ricky touches your arm and you have to fight hard to not throw yourself into his arms.

"I'm just peachy," you snap, refusing to look at him. Now it's your turn to run off and go cry in the bathroom.

......

Two days later, Ricky is all pumped up about something. You tune him out. You're sick of listening to his shit and not receiving anything in return.

It takes Ricky a few minutes to realize that you're purposely ignoring whatever he's talking about.

"All right. Spill it." Ricky grabs your hand and forces you to look at him. You can feel the tears threatening and you're so mad at yourself!

"Just leave me alone, okay?" You tug your hand free, but Ricky holds on. It only makes you angrier and you pull harder.

Ricky frowns, releasing his hold on you. You glare at him before turning your back on him. You feel Ricky's fingers on your back.

"Would please stop touching me?" You snap, your voice catching.

"I thought we were best friends," Ricky says softly. "I thought we could tell each other practically anything."

You pivot, facing Ricky, knowing that you look pissed off. You feel pissed off. At Ricky. And at yourself.

"Fine! You wanna know what's going on, Ricky?" You snap. "I'm in love with you! But you clearly don't care about my feelings at all!"

Ricky just stands there, Like a damn lump, not moving or speaking. You turn away in disgust.

"That's not true," Ricky says quietly. You look at him. He looks torn and sad. You automatically reach out to him. Ricky takes your hand and gently tugs you against his body.

"I love you, too. I have for a while. I was just scared that if I allowed myself to open up, I'd completely lose it."

Ricky's brown eyes are bright with unshed tears and you rest your forehead against his. Your gaze flickers down to his full lips.

"Can I kiss you?" You raise your eyes to Ricky's. He looks eager. You tug the corners of your mouth up.

"Yes." Ricky gently presses his lips to yours. Oh, this has to be the sweetest feeling in the world! You kiss Ricky back, liking the feeling of his lips on yours.

Ricky wraps his arms around you, holding you close. You both continue to kiss. You never want to stop.

Ricky grins a little bashfully when he stops, as he gently cradles your face in his hands.

"How was that?" You don't reply. You simply kiss Ricky again, wanting this feeling of euphoria to stick with you.

"I don't have any complaints." Ricky chuckles, his face red. You reach up, pulling his red cap off and carefully combing your fingers through his longish brown hair.

"So, are we gonna be like a couple now?" You rest your head on Ricky's shoulder as he wraps his arm around your waist.

"Can we be?" You ask. Ricky kisses your forehead.

"I'd really like to be." You tilt your face up and smile.

"Me too."