Page 47 of Spike

I hung up andtexted Spike. He responded almost immediately with a thumbs-up and I rolled myeyes. That wasn’t really an answer to my question so I called him but this timeit took a little bit before he answered. “Hey, baby.”

“Hi, honey. Um,does thumbs-up mean you want to come with me to dinner or that you acknowledgeyou got my message?”

He chuckled. “Italways means I want to go wherever you go.”

“You’re not busy?”

“Never too busyfor you.”

“Matty and Ron aresuper sweet. Nothing like my parents. Not even like Jens.”

“Baby, I’m notworried.”

“Okay.”

“Pick you up atsix?”

“Perfect,” Ibreathed out.

“See you then.”

We rang off and Iheaded into the shower.

** *

My brother livedin a gigantic home in Felida. It was more home than he and Ron needed but itwas far enough away from my parents that they wouldn’t visit, and that wasreally all he cared about (his words, not mine).

Kind of wonkylogic, really, considering he lived less than thirty minutes from us, but therewas something about Portlanders and their aversion to crossing the bridge intoVancouver, and my parents certainly fell into that bucket.

At least, I likedto think that was the reason why they didn’t visit my brother and not becausehe was gay. Although, I feared it was the latter.

“Nice digs,” Spikesaid as he walked with me to the front door.

“Right? I lovetheir house. It’s all warm and cozy. My home away from home.”

I rang thedoorbell, but it was just a cursory ring because I walked in without waitingfor anyone to answer. “We’re here!”

Mattias walked outfrom the kitchen and pulled me in for a bear hug. “Oh my god, sissy, you lookamazing.”

“I do?”

“Yes, you do,”Spike said.

“Oh, this is theman,” Mattias said with a grin, going in for a hug.

I tensed slightlybut shouldn’t have worried. Spike took it all in stride, letting my brotherwrap his arms around him. Spike gave Matty’s back a quick slap and disengagedquickly, smiling as he stepped closer to me.

“Well, what a manyou are,” Mattias crooned.

“Mattias, are youflirting?” Ronnie called out.

“I wouldnever.”

Ron joined us,rolling his eyes as he reached his hand out to Spike. “Ignore him. I’m Ron.”

“Spike.” He shookRon’s hand and then Ron hugged me.

“Hey there,beautiful.”

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