Author's Note: I do not own the first part of the prelude. All rights belong to Brenda Hampton and her team.

"Long time no see," Adrian said on the voicemail she left. "I've been thinking about you and I know you've been thinking about me haven't you? Goodnight Ricky."

The next morning after what was a perfect night of sex for Ricky and Amy the two explored morning wake up conversations and as much as Ricky wanted to stay in bed with Amy to learn a few more things, Amy was right, there was too much to do today.

Ricky looked at Amy as she walked toward the door in her purple robe.

"I love you Amy," he said to her, genuinely meaning it despite the secret he was hiding from her.

Amy leaned against the door and smiled. "I love you too Ricky."

Amy left the room, leaving Ricky with his thoughts. He knew he should tell Amy about the message Adrian had left him but how could he after he lied to her and told her he ignored and deleted it? He didn't even know why he saved the message to begin with. It was a stupid thing to do and he knew it was stupid. He didn't even have feelings for Adrian anymore.

Ricky could feel himself getting angry, could feel his breathing starting to get heavy. Though he had made a mess of things by lying to Amy, maybe there was still a way he could fix things. He still had time before they got to school so maybe now would be his chance.

Ricky tossed the blankets off in a rush. He took a quick five minute shower and then went to go find Amy. He found her in the kitchen feeding John. It didn't take her long to look up at him and see the look on his face.

"What's wrong?"

Ricky took a step forward as if he was going to tell her something but the words he wanted didn't come out, "Nothing."

"Okay," replied Amy not really believing it. Ricky had come in with a look of fear across his face. She wanted to press the issue but she knew how Ricky hated to be pressured. Still she couldn't help herself. "Are you sure it's nothing?"

"Yeah," he said placing his hands in his pockets.

"Ricky, you would tell me if there was something going on right? Does it have anything to do with Adrian?"

"Just drop it Amy."

"Well does it?"

"No, it's nothing okay. Would you just relax?"

"Fine," Amy said picking John up in her arms. "We should go."

"Fine," Ricky replied.

He hated that he was being such a jerk. Why couldn't he have brought it up when he had the chance? He knew why, part of him wanted to get caught. He didn't deserve Amy or John so maybe this could be one way he could get out. He didn't want out but he didn't feel worthy of her despite all that had happened to them the past several months. He needed to tell her about Adrian's message, he would. It was only a matter of when.

"Okay," Amy said as the two of them sat in the car in the school parking lot, "If you keep moving your leg up and down I'm gonna go find a brick to hold it down." Ricky placed his right hand on his leg. "Ricky, something is going on, what is it? Just tell me. I promise I won't get angry with you but you're starting to drive me crazy, not knowing."

Ricky took a deep breath and pulled out his phone and gave it to Amy. "Adrian left me a message."

"Another one?"

Ricky shook his head 'no'. "It's the same one."

"But you told me you deleted it. You lied to me."

"I'm sorry Amy. I wasn't going to act on it, I just needed it."

"Like some sort of safety net?"

"I guess. I wasn't going to do anything, Amy. I promise."

Amy nodded, desperately wanting to believe him. "Can I listen to it?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea."

"I'm not gonna do anything."

"Amy, just let me handle it okay? I know Adrian better than you do, I know how she thinks so I know how to get her to stop coming after me."

"Ricky please, I just want to hear it."

"Fine but then I'm deleting it for good."