Page 66 of More Than a Spark

“Thanks, Russ. You’re a good recruit. You’ll make a great firefighter someday.” Ryder scruffed Russ’ hair.

“So, does anyone else know your status at work?” Russ sipped a clear, bubbly drink in a plastic glass.

“No, I haven’t said anything.” Ryder edged into my side, his arm winding round my shoulders.

“Is there a problem with being queer at the fire department?” Hazel held her wine to her lips, her gaze shifting from Russ to Ryder.

Russ shrugged. “I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t have a problem with it.”

“In this day and age, nobody should have a problem with how someone else chooses to live their lives. It’s not right.” With a tsk, Matteo shook his head.

Was Matteo queer? “You’re absolutely right.” Maybe this conversation would give Ryder the strength he needed to come out at work. Then the only thing we had to deal with would be his mother next weekend.

Russ patted Matteo’s shoulder. “This is my uber liberal buddy. Don’t get him started on civil rights or we’ll be here all night talking politics.” He blew Matteo a kiss. “Love you, buddy.”

Shaking his head, Matteo smirked. “Yeah, love you, man.” He faced me. “We’re good friends, but both of us are straight. Just for the record.”

“For most of my life, I thought I was straight, too. Just sayin’.” Ryder chuckled.

“Anyways, are you going to come out at work or not? I have to know if I should keep this quiet.” Russ tapped Ryder’s chest with his knuckles. “I’ll follow your lead.”

Ryder sucked in a deep breath, his gaze meeting mine. “I don’t know yet. Let me think about it.” He bit his lip and turned to Russ. “This is actually pretty new to me, and I saw a gay man in my company up in Flag get harassed by the crew there. So, I don’t know.”

I hugged him to my side. “Ryder, you don’t have to come out all at once. I’m okay if you’re not out at work yet. I really am.” Plus, he’d been through enough today with his mother’s phone call. He shouldn’t be making rash decisions.

“Okay, then I won’t say a word unless you tell me to.” Russ stepped closer to Ryder. “But if you come out and I hear anyone harassing you? I’ll pound their dick into the dirt. I don’t care who they are.” His gaze turned hard. “I can’t stand that shit.”

“No, if you hear something, you come and tell me about it. I don’t want you getting fired trying to defend me.” Ryder tsked, then leaned in close to me, pointing his thumb at Russ. “I gotta keep my eye on this one.”

Russ slapped his hand on Ryder’s shoulder. “Fine.” He looked around, toward a group of women in tiny dresses and high heels. “I think my new girlfriend just walked in. I’ll talk to you later.” He walked off with Matteo in tow.

“See ya.” With a chuckle, Ryder nuzzled my head. “Shit, that was a little scary.”

“But it turned out well. At least you know you have support when you’re ready to come out at your company.” I drank some beer down. What other surprises could possibly happen tonight?

Hazel touched my forearm. “What were you two talking about when I got here?”

“Oh, we’re having dinner with your mom next weekend.” I glanced at Ryder and curled the edge of my mouth. “Your brother called her today after I insisted.”

“Thank God.” She huffed a sigh. “Of course, he only listens to you.” She drank her wine, then tapped her fingers to her lips. “Wait, you two are having dinner with her? As in, both of you? Together?” Her gaze cut to Ryder. “Are you coming out to her next weekend?”

“No.” Ryder hung his head and toed the leg of my stool. “At least I don’t think so.” He shook his head. “Who knew being queer meant you had to go around telling people about it? Fuck.” He peered at her. “But how badly do you think she’d take it?” He winced.

“Like I said, I really have no idea. Aren’t you seeing Dad for brunch tomorrow?” She twisted her lips.

“Yeah, did he tell you about that?” Ryder sipped his beer.

She nodded. “He invited me, but I have a special client I have to see.” She lifted a brow and leaned in. “A celebrity.”

“Seriously?” I stared at her. She must be really good at doing hair. Maybe I should tell Cash about her. Hell, maybe I’d start seeing her. “Who is it?”

She looked around us for a beat. “Alice Cooper.”

Ryder choked on his drink. “What the fuck?”

Bursting out a giggle, I covered my mouth. “Oh my God. He does seem to have good hair for his age.” Alice was also known for all the charity golfing events he played at. Maybe someday the band would play at one, too, and I’d get to meet him.

“He has great hair.” She leaned in, cupping her mouth. “He dyes it though.”

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