Page 91 of More Than a Spark

“Well, he’s looking for new people to join his team and he really liked my artwork.” I stared off into the room, toward the dark television in the corner, resting on a console.

“Did they offer you a job?” He knitted his brows.

With a short chuckle, I said, “No, this was more like an interview and the HR woman went over the benefits packages and what it was like to work there. It was as if she was talking me into taking a job there.” Which was weird, too. Were there people in the world who’d turn down a job there? Okay, maybe me, but only because of Ryder.

“So, maybe they’re getting ready to offer you a position.” Cash scratched his cheek. “I’m assuming they have jobs out here in Phoenix?”

My gaze cut to his. “No, I’d have to move to Seattle.” Shit, why had I even filled out the application? I should have been happy working at the marketing company. But then, Ryder had put all that nonsense in my head.

Cash toyed with the hem of his white shorts. “Does that mean you’d be leaving us?” He frowned as he wound his gaze to mine. “What about Ryder and the band?”

“I don’t know.” I grabbed his hand from his hem. “I don’t want to leave anyone. I want to live here and stay in the band.” But could Ryder move to Seattle, too? He might even be better suited for it with all the forests up there and his time in Flagstaff. “I don’t have a job offer yet and I might not get one.”

“But you said it went so well.” Cash tightened his grip on my hand. “I don’t think any of us would want to see you go, but we’d all be happy for you. It’d be your dream job, right?”

“Yeah, it would be my dream job for sure. Working for Dice Recker would be…” I huffed a breath. “Damn, he’s like my hero.”

“You’d have to take the job if they offer it to you.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand, his gaze affixed to it. “We’ll all come and visit you.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe Knot Me could do a show up there at a casino.” His lips twitched into a forced smile.

What would it be like to not be in the band anymore? An ache twisted into my heart. I’d been in some form of band, either in high school or with friends since I was twelve. “I’m sure they have bands up in Seattle, right?”

“Sure, but would you find an all-queer band?” He wrinkled his forehead.

“I read somewhere that Seattle has the second highest queer population in the US after San Fran, so maybe.” I bit the side of my lip. But the question was, did I really want to leave everyone and move? And what about Ryder? He’d said we’d find a way. “Fuck, I don’t know if I can take the job, Cash.”

He hooked his free hand around the back of my head and pressed his forehead to mine. “You know Ryder would follow you wherever you go. He loves you so much.”

“Yeah…If I get an offer, we’ll need to have a serious talk.” The ache in my chest heightened. I couldn’t go back to living far away from him. And Seattle was too far.

* * *

Friday rolled aroundand with it, I was waiting for Ryder to show up with his weekend clothes to spend the next two days together. I hadn’t heard anything from AllAction, so I was pretty sure the job offer wasn’t coming. Ryder and I had texted about it, and we’d agreed to talk in person tonight either way.

I sat on the couch, watching the evening news by myself, everyone off at work or out enjoying dates. Maybe they all knew I’d need some alone time with Ryder after all the job excitement.

The door jiggled with a quick knock. “Ryder.” I jumped from the couch and jogged to the door, then threw it open. “Hey, babe.” He was stunning as always with his athletic shorts revealing his thick leg muscles and his graphic t-shirt stretching across his wide shoulders.

“Hey.” He stepped inside, dropped his duffle to the floor, and wrapped me up in a fierce embrace, burying his face in my neck. “God, I missed you.” He breathed me in, then kissed the side of my head.

Tightening my arms around him, I nuzzled into his neck. I didn’t want to let him go. “When you’re done at the academy, you’ll be over here more, right?”

“Yeah.” He freed me and raked his fingers through his bangs, then picked up his duffle. “When I get to my station, I’ll be working rotating forty-eight hour shifts with four days off between them.” Snatching my hand, he led me to the main room, stopped in front of the couch and looked around the room. “Where is everyone?”

“Out. Either working or on dates.” I pointed at his duffle bag. “Why don’t you bring that into my room, and I’ll get us some beers?”

“Good idea.” He kissed my cheek, then walked off.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table.

“Shit.” My heart caught as I strode to it and picked it up. A number scrolled across the screen I didn’t recognize. Telemarketer maybe? Or was it AllAction? I tapped on the screen to answer it. “Hello?”

“Is this Milo Richardson?” A female voice asked.

“Yes, this is he.” My pulse beat out of control. This had to be Lynda. I swallowed a lump forming in my throat. I stepped to the patio doors and gazed into our grassy back yard, the long shadows falling across everything from the trees lining the masonry fence.

“This is Lynda McDermott from AllAction. I’m calling to let you know, we’re pleased to offer you a position as a graphic designer on Dice Recker’s team. He loves your work, Milo, and he wanted us to get you an offer as soon as possible. He didn’t want another company snatching you up.” She chuckled. “You’d start after you graduate this winter, of course.”

My jaw dropped open. “What are the details of the offer?” I’d start there. Maybe the pay was terrible, and it would give me a reason to turn this down.

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