Page 14 of More Than a Spark

Silas stepped out of his bedroom and did a double take of me. “Jesus fucking Christ. Cash did that, didn’t he.”

“He did. What do you think?” I twirled around for him.

Cash appeared at my bedroom door, a wide smile playing over his lips, his fingers touching his chin. “I think it’s hot. Isn’t it hot, Silas?”

“Um…” Silas glanced at Cash, then focused on me. “Yeah, sure. But maybe uh, put on some combat boots or maybe your chucks with that. We’re apop-punkband, not aboyband. Remember?” He huffed a snicker. “And maybe some chains…” He cocked his head. “Yeah, some chains.”

“Do you have some I could wear?” I pressed my palms together over my chest. I knew he did.

“Yeah, come on.” Silas waved me into his room. “So, has Ryder ever seen you dressed up like this?” He opened the top drawer on his black dresser.

I followed him in with Cash close behind me. “Not really.” What if Ryder didn’t like it? Shit, why did I care if we were just friends? I’d been to the gay bar with Archer in more risqué clothes, so I knew he’d be into it.

Silas drew out a few silver chain necklaces of various lengths and handed them to me. “Here, try these.”

“I think we should put some thicker eyeliner on you, too.” Cash beamed at me. “It’ll give you that tough and sexy look, like Damiano David from Måneskin.”

“Who?” Silas wrinkled his nose and shook his finger at Cash. “And it better not be a dude from a boy band.”

Rolling his eyes, Cash tsked. “Really, Silas. For a musician you should be up on your bands more.”

“Måneskin is a rock band from Italy. They won Eurovision.” I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the wall. I liked this. It might become a new look for me. “Anyways, they’re all over Instagram. I’m surprised you haven’t seen their reels.”

Silas scoffed a laugh. “I suppose I’ll have to look them up now. I have to see what this Damiano dude looks like, since myboyfriendhas been checking him out.”

“Oh, hun, you know no one compares to you.” Batting his eyelashes, Cash wrapped his arms around Silas’ waist and kissed his cheek.

Silas dipped his head, a grin teasing his lips. “Yeah, yeah.”

“Oh brother.” I rolled my eyes. I had my outfit for the night and somewhat of a plan. I strolled into my room and picked up my phone from my dresser, then texted Archer.

Milo

Sure, we start at nine, so why don’t you come around eight or so and meet everyone. My best friend moved back here from Flagstaff, so he’ll be there, too.

The three dots popped up.

Archer

Great, can’t wait to meet everyone and see you play.

I held my phone to my heart. I wasn’t being stupid about this, was I? But Ryder was my friend. It shouldn’t be a problem to introduce him to a guy I was thinking about dating. “Shit.” I should tell Ryder. I dialed Ryder’s number, and the phone rang a few times, then clicked.

“Hello? Milo?” Ryder asked.

“Hey, Ryder.” I stepped through my room, running my fingers over my mauve bedspread, then stopped at the window and looked out over the green grass in the back yard.

“What’s up?” He breathed heavily into the phone.

“What are you doing?” I backed up to sit on the edge of my bed.

“Working out. I found a great gym around the corner from my dad’s place,” he said.

“Oh.” I fingered the edge of my shorts. This was stupid. Ryder wasn’t going to care if I’d invited Archer. He’d said it was up to me. “I uh, wanted to let you know that Archer is coming tonight, too.”

His breath caught. “Yeah?” Clanking sounded in the background. “Um…that’s uh, that’s great, Milo. It’ll be good to meet him.”

I bit the side of my lower lip, my chest pinching. “Yeah? He’s coming later, so we can have dinner together before he gets there.” Why did this feel wrong now?

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