Page 32 of Ballads of Lines Blurred

Swallowing thickly, I glanced down at my hands where they brushed over the hairy sac on my shirt. “I don’t want to need anyone.”

“It’s okay to be vulnerable.”

My eyes snapped to his. “It’s not. When I’m vulnerable it means I can get hurt. I’ve been hurt enough. I don’t want more pain.” I stood and paced over to the fireplace where there were photos in frames of Hale and me with our parents. Some with Hale and his partners. “Why do you think I strictly keep things to sex?”

“I always thought you didn’t want to get attached. That you enjoyed fooling around.”

“I do, but if I take nothing seriously, I can’t get hurt.”

“You do the hurting.”

Turning, I faced him, needing him to see I was telling the truth. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I can’t help it if guys get attached to me. I try not to let it happen. When I’m in the middle of fooling around, words get said I don’t mean. I don’t want that to happen with Slater. Or you. Fuck.” I pulled at my mohawk until it brought pain to my scalp. That bite kept me grounded, not revealing too much. But Cody saw me; he heard my words.

He rose from the couch and came over to carefully pry my fingers from my hair. “Stop. I get it, okay? You don’t let anyone in, so they can’t break your heart. It’s not enough anymore, is it?”

My eyes met his. He was a couple inches taller than me, but he didn’t tower over me, making me feel smaller. Cody never felt intimidating. If anything, it was the opposite. He had a kind soul. “No,” I whispered. “I don’t think it is.”

“You got a taste of what being with the same person could be like and not just about sex. Slater isn’t the type of guy you fuck and leave.”

“I don’t know how to do this. I’m trying and failing.”

“You’re not. Slater hasn’t left and I’m here now. You’re doing just fine.” He stepped closer, his hand still holding mine. “Do you really think I’m attractive, Milo? Because I think you’re hot as hell.”

“Hot isn’t the basis for a relationship.” Hey, I said the word relationship on the first try. I’d be sure to celebrate that later.

“No, but it’s a start. You’re so sexy with your lip ring.” He pressed the pad of his thumb to it. “And the way you change the color of your hair.” His fingers danced up my cheek until he reached the strands hanging in my face so he could brush them aside. “What I’m learning about you is even more of a turn-on. Every piece you reveal, I want to know more.”

“Cody, please…” What were we doing? This was going to end in a disaster. I just fucking knew it. No way did I get both Slater and Cody. That was dream level shit, and I wasn’t a dreamy guy. “Maybe you and Slater are the ones meant for each other, and I’m the guy who puts you two together.”

“Or maybe we’re all destined to be together and you’re the one we both need to show us life isn’t all serious. I really want to kiss you, Milo. I want to prove to myself and you there’s something between us.”

“Yes.” The word left my lips like a plea.

Cody dipped his head and pressed his lips to mine. I readily opened, letting his tongue flick the ring on my lip while mine peeked out to taste him. It was short and a bit sweet. It was also over much too soon.

“Did you feel it?” he asked. “There’s a spark, Milo.”

“There is.” As much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t. “Now what?”

“Now we explore what we could be if you’re open to it.”

“I don’t want this to end.”

“Then say yes.”

“Yes.”

14

SLATER

I spent the day between my house and Dash’s, working and playing with the guys. My house was where the work took place. We spread out in the living room, finalizing the song I’d written and going over the logistics of the upcoming tour. It was still months away, but the more planning we did now, the easier it would be when it was time to leave.

My parents were scheduled to come out soon for a visit. They were driving their luxury coach and offered to stay at a local campground. Why would I want them to when I literally had a room in my house just for them? I told them to park in my driveway and stay here. Dash and I enjoyed it when they visited.

After working for a bit, we went to my brother’s house and jumped into the pool. Thankfully, it was heated. It wasn’t hot enough yet for the pool to heat on its own from the sun. We also grabbed the Nerf guns and went on a battle run around the property, shooting each other with foam darts. Those fuckers stung if I was hit at close range. We had a full stash of them at Dash’s house and, of course, my brother grabbed the most powerful one first.

Needless to say, it was a good day of work and having fun. I loved my friends and my brother. It was just what I needed to get out of my head for a while. That was until I remembered Cody and Milo were going on a date.

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