Page 7 of More Than a Spark

“I’d planned on being a detective but got sidetracked into being a lawyer.” He glanced at Gabe, then pointed between the two of them. “We’re in law school together and both work at his dad’s firm.”

“Oh.” Ryder nodded. “I don’t think anything could have sidetracked me from being a firefighter. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Even when I was little.” He threw a grin at me.

“Yeah, he used to dress up as a firefighter for Halloween.” My chest warmed with the memories of our first years together. “And not just once, but every year.” I poked Ryder in the ribs, and he laughed with me.

The front door opened, and Silas stepped inside with Cash following. Silas’ gaze caught on Ryder and a wicked grin crept over his lips. “My, my, what have we here?” He set his hands on his hips as he stepped toward us.

“Now, Silas, be nice.” Cash pinched Silas’ ass.

“Ow, shit.” Silas rubbed his ass. “I’ll be nice.” His attention drew back to us. “You must be the hot firefighter?” Eyeing Ryder, he walked to him.

“Uh, yeah…” Ryder slid his hand down the back of his hair. “I don’t know about hot.” He glanced at me.

Silas had to go there. I clapped my hands together. “Um, Ryder, this is Silas and Cash, also roommates and Silas plays rhythm guitar in the band. Cash is Silas’ boyfriend.”

“Oh, awesome, man. I can’t wait to see you all play tomorrow night.” Ryder shook Silas’ hand.

Cash stepped in for a side hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He gave Ryder a knowing smile, then peeked at me.

“All good, I hope?” Ryder’s cheeks pinked and he dipped his head.

“Of course, hun.” Cash’s grin widened. “Now, we just came home to pick up a few things, then we’re heading out for dinner.”

With his brows wrinkling, Silas said, “We are?”

“Yes. Let’s go.” Cash grabbed Silas’ hand and led him to the hallway toward the bedrooms.

“We better go, too. That restaurant gets busy on Friday nights.” Gabe gave a stuttered laugh, then snatched Jeremy’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Maybe we’ll see you later tonight.”

“Yeah, sounds good. Nice to meet you, too.” Ryder waved at them.

Gabe guided Jeremy out the door to the garage.

“Well…” With my pulse quickening, I looked Ryder over again. He was really here, and he met my friends, and my worlds didn’t clash too badly. But now what? I shifted my focus to the kitchen and the beer still on the counter. “How about a beer?” I strode into the kitchen, ripped two beers out of the container, setting them on the counter, then placed the rest of them in the refrigerator.

“Sure, I’ll just uh, put the chicken in the fridge while we have a drink and get caught up.” As he turned, our chests bumped and he grabbed my arm, clutching me to him, his other hand holding a package of chicken to his side.

My breath snagged and I looked up at him, into his deep brown eyes, resting under thicker, straight brows that angled up at the edge of his face. My gaze drew to the plump lips of his generous mouth. The heat of his body shivered over me. I swallowed hard. “Uh, sorry.”

“No, man, it was my fault. Guess I need to look where I’m going.” He flicked his tongue over his lower lip and locked his gaze to mine. “You know, your eyes look greener than I remembered.” He sucked in a ragged breath. “They’re um…they’re pretty.”

“Wha?” I dropped my mouth open. What was happening right now?

Silas and Cash strolled into the room, back from grabbing whatever they’d needed from their bedroom. Silas stopped with a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. “Dudes, really? We haven’t even left yet.”

“Silas.” Cash gave a soft backhand to Silas’ shoulder, then grabbed his arm and hurried him to the front door.

“What? Just stating the obvious.” Silas halted with the door open. “Hey, no dicks out in the main room and definitely no BJs on our new couch.” He saluted us. “Later.”

“My word, Silas. Do you ever behave?” Cash pushed him out the door, then shut it behind him.

Blinking, I stepped back and dropped my gaze to the floor. “I-I’m sorry. Silas is sort of a smart ass.” I was going to kill him later. How, I didn’t know yet.

“It’s cool. I get it. He’s teasing us.” With a soft snort, he freed me and placed the package of chicken in the refrigerator. “Sit on the couch?” He grabbed a beer from the counter as I did the same, then followed me to our sectional.

I sat in the corner while he fell in next to me. Snicking my beer can open, I said, “So, tell me what’s been going on with your family. Any news?”

He opened his beer, then took a sip. “Not really. Hazel is working at a new salon in Scottsdale, so hopefully she can pay her rent without me helping her.” He toyed with the pull tab on his beer.

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