Page 26 of Ballads of Lines Blurred

We entered into the kitchen. White quartz counters and dark gray cabinets gave it a modern look. An island sat in the middle with stools along the side. Pendant lights hung over it, casting soft glows around them. Milo put his keys on a hook by the door as I dragged my fingers over the counter, which was cool to the touch. Stainless steel appliances looked professional grade, making me wonder the kinds of meals that were made in here for Milo and Hale as they grew up.

Milo kicked off his shoes, leaving them on a mat near the door, so I did the same, not wanting to track anything into his house. The club was clean, but I was in a pair of sneakers I wore outside my house and had been watering the plants earlier today.

Someone’s home said a lot about them. If they preferred comfort over style or wanting warm versus cool tones it let me in on their personality. This home didn’t reflect what I knew of Milo or Hale. This was their parents’ design with their sons living here, not wanting to part with it.

“It’s not like your place, but it’s home.” He shrugged.

Turning, I found him leaning against the island. “My home was built with earth tones and comfort in mind. I needed it to be a sanctuary, not a place to entertain, though I have family and friends over.”

“All I saw was the outside. It reminded me of a refurbished barn, but with more windows.”

I smiled. “I’ve heard that before.”

My home was two stories with dark wood on the outside and a big living room smack in the middle. It was warm and safe and mine.

The sound of bare feet scuffing over the tiled floor drew my attention to the entryway to the kitchen. Diesel was his stage name when he danced at Untouchable. His real name was Daniel, but everyone called him Danny. At around six foot three, the same height as me, he was definitely bigger. Muscled arms nearly double the size of my own and thighs flexing beneath a pair of cotton shorts. He scratched at his bare abs as he took us in. His nearly black hair hung past his chin. Intimidating, hell yes. He could break me in half. And yet… My eyes slipped below his waist to the sizable outline in his shorts. Now I knew what Milo meant about knowing how big their dicks were. I quickly looked away before he caught me.

“Were you asleep?” Milo asked him.

“Napping, waiting for Hale and Si to get home. Hey, Slater,” his gravelly voice rumbled, probably deeper than normal from sleep. He gave me an up-nod.

“Hey.” I wasn’t sure what to say. I hardly knew him.

“Hale and Si should be home soon,” Milo said.

“I heard noise and thought you two were them.”

“No such luck.” Milo opened the fridge and grabbed two bottles of water, handing one to me. “We’re going upstairs. Try not to fuck too loudly and scare my guest away.”

“You’re giving me shit when you have Slater here?”

“We’re not there.” He left the yet hanging, or maybe it was my imagination.

Danny nodded and dropped onto one of the stools. “I’ll wait here. Going back upstairs seems like too much effort.”

Milo patted him on his back as he walked past him. “Don’t drool on the counter.”

We exited the kitchen and emerged into a grand entryway with white marble flooring and a staircase that led to the second level. A chandelier hung down from the high ceiling, the crystals on it catching the light.

Milo stopped at the bottom of the marble stairs and peered up at me. There was a four or so inch difference in our heights. “We don’t have to go to my room. We can hang out in the living room or go to the theater room. Whatever you want.”

“Your room. I don’t want to be interrupted.” That sounded much sexier than I intended. I wasn’t here for that. There was a strong need for me to tell Milo about Cody. I couldn’t go further with either of them unless they both knew where they stood. I refused to hurt them, even though I had a feeling I would before all was said and done.

An orange fluffy cat came strutting down the stairs, sticking to the side by the dark wooden railing like he owned it, giving me a side-eye as he meandered past me. This was why I didn’t have pets. That and I wasn’t home for months on end. The cat looked at me like he was about to murder me.

“Your cat?”

He chuckled. “No, he came with Danny. He’s not a lover like Bailey. She’s their dog. I’m sure she’s napping on their bed since it’s empty. If she knew we had a guest, she’d be all over you.”

“Dogs seem to like me better than cats.”

“Well, Phil—that’s the cat—doesn’t like to be near a lot of people, but the longer you’re here, the more he’ll warm up.”

“Something to look forward to.” At least, if Milo kept me around after we talked.

He gave me one of his bright smiles that I could feel seeping into my chest. “Absolutely. Let’s go. Just watch for Bailey in case she finds out you’re here. She might take us out if she comes flying down the stairs.”

We climbed the stairs and went down a softly lit hall, where family photos adorned the walls in frames. I caught glimpses of a younger Milo in a couple of them, him and Hale having fun on vacations. Milo’s room was the first on the right.

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