Zack groaned out a low, “‘You’re killing me, Smalls.’” Then he dragged them to a stand and bought an assortment of greasy, fried fare. John offered to pay until he saw what Zack was buying.

“What kind of food comes on a stick?”

“Just eat it, trust me.”

John, as it turned out, liked corn dogs and loved funnel cake but only managed to choke down two onion rings before he declared them slimy and inedible. Zack took sneaky pictures of the faces John made and set one as his background. It made him smile every time he looked at it.

After they’d exhausted all the game booths, Zack tugged John toward the West Coaster.

“Are you a roller-coaster man?” he asked.

“Oh, absolutely. I love them.” They got in line.

Zack gave John a sideways look. “Really? I’m kinda surprised.”

John wrapped an arm around his waist. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Not to me. Considering what you’ve told me about your family, I would have thought they’d told you roller coasters were . . . I dunno, plebeian or something.”

John laughed and pressed his mouth to Zack’s ear. “That’s one of the reasons why I like them. You should be able to guess the other one.”

Zack grinned. “Oh, should I?”

“You know what I’m into.” John dragged his hand along his waist. “Think about all those scenes we did together: salacious encounters spiked with the thrill of getting caught, and the ones where we did something illegal or scandalous. What did they all have in common?”

“Adrenaline,” Zack answered automatically. “You naughty boy. You’re an adrenaline junkie.”

John looked pleased. “Well, not a junkie, per se, but I like to get my heart pumping. Remember, I ride horses. I know that doesn’t seem like the most exhilarating sport, but believe me, it is.”

Zack shivered. “God, when you put it like that, it seems a lot sexier.” He glanced around. No one was watching them. He could probably risk kissing John right now without making too many parents shield their children’s eyes. He didn’t want to cause a scene, though. California was blessedly liberal, but that didn’t mean he could just start making out with his—

Zack stopped abruptly. He had no idea what John was, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to start thinking about it.

John nudged him again. “You okay? Or are you shocked to learn my deep, dark secret?”

Zack snorted. “Oh, I’m not shocked, and I’m certain I can handle your more colorful sexual appetites.”

“Really now?” John teased. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, but we should test it out tonight. Just to be on the safe side.”