Page 6 of More Than a Spark

“So, what are your plans? Do you need us to leave?” Gabe wagged his brows at me.

“No, you can stay. He’s coming over to make me dinner, but he’s just a friend.” I twisted back around and crossed my arms over my chest. I knew what was coming next. One of Gabe’s interrogations.

Gabe rounded the couch and sank in next to me. “Making you dinner? Tell me about him.”

Flicking a peek at him, I shrugged and said, “We were best friends since fourth grade, and he moved up to Flagstaff after high school to be a firefighter. He’s transferring to Chandler FD, so he can be close to his family again. His dad, really.” I toed the edge of the coffee table.

“And he’s gay? Bi? Straight?” Gabe poked at the crook of my arm.

“He’s straight.” I harrumphed. Here we go.

“Are you sure?” Gabe tilted his head, studying me. “I mean, Jeremy thoughthewas straight.”

“Gabe, I’m sure this situation is not like ours.” With a scoff, Jeremy walked off into the hallway with his computer bag.

“You know, just because Axel found out Remy was bi, and Jeremy figured out he was bi, does not mean Ryder is bi.” I flashed a look at him, then stared at the television. I didn’t need all these guys putting this shit in my head. It was going to be hard enough. “Besides, we’re just friends. And…and even if he does turn out to be bi or something, we’ll still just be friends. I don’t want to ruin that.” My heart ached inside my chest.

Gabe’s gaze softened and he edged into my side, then wound an arm over my shoulders, resting his forehead on my hair. “Listen, we’re here for you, Milo. We all want to see you happy and this guy coming out of nowhere, well…”

I angled myself into Gabe’s body. He was the one I’d always turned to for advice before Cash was around. But now he was with Jeremy and so busy with his dad’s law firm and school, I didn’t think I could count on him as much. Maybe I was wrong? “So, I do want you to meet him. But it would be nice if I could spend some time alone with him. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”

“You got it. Me and Jeremy were thinking about getting a nice steak out at The Keg tonight anyways.” He kissed my head, then straightened, unwinding his arm from my shoulders.

The doorbell rang.

“Holy shit, that’s probably him.” My heart stuttered and I jumped from the couch, then swiped my sweaty palms down the thighs of my skinny jeans and ran to the door. Before opening it, I smoothed my bangs from my eyes, then swung it open.

Ryder stood in the front entry, under the small roof overhang, with a grocery bag in one muscled arm and a twelve pack of beer dangling from his other hand. His sexy brown eyes beamed at me, and his wavy hair was longer than I remembered, framing his face in the most gorgeous way. His chest filled out his sleeveless t-shirt and his shorts showed off his thick legs.

My dick woke. Fuck, don’t get a boner just looking at him. Not cool. “R-Ryder, it’s good to see you.”

“So good to see you too, Milo. Damn.” He brushed by me and bounced into the room, then stopped, his gaze landing on Gabe. “Oh, hello.”

“Hi, I’m Gabe Johnson, Milo’s roommate and bandmate. I play drums.” He held out his hand to take the beers. “Here let me help you with that.”

“Sure, thanks, man.” Ryder gave him the beer. “Name’s Ryder Scott.” He stuck his hand out and Gabe gave it a firm shake.

“Nice to meet you.” Gabe threw a smirk and a glance at me.

Ryder followed Gabe into the kitchen and set the grocery bag on the counter. “Nice place you all have here.” Nodding, he looked around.

“Thanks.” I stepped toward him.

With a broad smile, Ryder strode to me, then threw his arms around my waist and picked me up, spinning me around. “God damn, I missed you.”

A giggle broke out of me, and my heart soared. “I missed you, too.” He was always so upbeat. He had that in common with Cash. Maybe that’s why I’d become friends with Cash so fast? He reminded me of Ryder in some ways.

As Ryder set me down, Jeremy strode into the room, did a double take of us, then quirked a brow. “Um…Hi?”

Gabe grabbed Jeremy by the elbow and brought him to us. “Ryder, this is Jeremy, my boyfriend.”

“Oh, hello, Jeremy.” Ryder looked him up and down. “You look like someone I could work out with.” He held his hand out.

Jeremy shook it. “Yeah, I hit the gym quite a bit. I try to stay in shape.”

“He’s got a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, too.” Gabe lifted his chin, hooking an arm around Jeremy’s waist. “He was uh, working as a bodyguard when I met him.”

“Yeah?” Ryder peeked at me, then focused on Jeremy.

---