Page 35 of Ballads of Lines Blurred

“The two of you are plenty to keep me occupied.” He winked.

“But…”

“Whatever it is, ask.”

“If I’m going to date you too, I’m not dating anyone else. It’s you and Slater for me. That’s it.”

“I’m not seeing anyone, don’t worry. When I’m with you and him, I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Slater’s not going to date outside of us either. He’s too afraid of hurting us.”

“I just want to make sure I don’t have to worry.”

“You don’t.” He pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.

I typed a quick reply to Dash to let him know we were on our way. Milo’s palm was warm against mine. Butterflies took flight in my stomach, ones I hadn’t felt since the first time I met Slater.

Tonight was a test, in a way, to see if Milo and I were compatible. I didn’t need to wonder anymore. The answer was a resounding yes. I enjoyed being with him. Between him and Slater, I could be a very happy man. If Slater accepted me as more than a way to help him. If Slater saw me as more than a kid.

When we pulled into Slater’s driveway, the lights from his tall two stories’ worth of windows cast a beautiful warm glow over the front yard. His house wasn’t close to the road. There was enough space, so he didn’t have people spying on him. Though by the look inside the door when we parked the car and got out, Slater wasn’t doing anything more than camping out on the couch with the TV on. His tall body was on its side, with his head pillowed on top of his hands. I couldn’t see what he was watching since the TV wasn’t facing the sliding door, but whatever it was, he was interested in it. He didn’t notice us walk up, even with only the screen door closed.

I knocked on the frame, hoping I didn’t startle him too badly. Slater jumped and sat up, his head whipping toward the door. Guess I surprised him after all.

“Hi,” I said and gave a little wave.

“Cody, Milo, what are you doing here?”

“We wanted to drop in and see how you’re doing,” Milo responded. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I…” He scrubbed a hand over his face, then brushed his hair off his forehead. “No, if I’m telling the truth. It wasn’t easy tonight knowing you two were out, and I was here.”

“Can we come in and talk?” I asked, wanting to get inside and hold him. His hair was mussed, and his eyes were a bit puffy.

“Sure, it’s not locked.”

I pushed the screen door aside and stepped in with Milo closing it behind us. The first time I was here, I was more fixated on the words Reed sang and how upset Slater looked. I didn’t get a chance to take in the space. My eyes searched the room now. From the tall stone fireplace that went from the floor to the ceiling where exposed beams sat. There were two couches in an L shape and a TV on a dark wood stand. The upstairs was exposed along each side with a wrought-iron railing. This was the kind of place to cozy up in during the winter when it was cold outside and snow whipped around. This was where family-filled Christmases were held right out of a storybook setting.

“Have a seat,” he said, motioning to the couches as he stood. “Do you want something to drink?”

Unable to resist any longer, I went to him and put my hand on his forearm. “What do you need?”

“Please don’t,” he whispered.

“Don’t what?”

“Pretend to want me after you went out with Milo tonight.”

“Is it written somewhere that I have to choose one of you, or am I open to having you both?”

“Cody, I told you we can’t?—”

“And I told you we can.” I stepped into his space, so my body was a breath from his. My hand slid up his arm until it reached his neck where I cupped the side. “Do you want to forget for a while?”

If he would have uttered about my age again, anger would have boiled up within me. I had to cut him off before he had the chance to put a stop to what was about to happen.

His gaze flicked to my left. “Milo?”

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