Page 38 of More Than a Spark

Following Jeremy into the kitchen, he tossed a wide smile back at me.

Yeah, he was fitting right in with my friends. I focused on Gabe. “Where’s Cash and Silas?”

“Silas has a new accounting gig he’s checking out with a guinea pig shelter.” Gabe sighed. “And Cash is at work today. Somebody called in sick, so he’s filling the guy’s shift.”

“Where does Cash work at?” Ryder set a frying pan on the stove.

“Discount Tire. He’s an assistant manager over there.” I shifted sideways on the couch and lifted my leg up onto it. Oh my God, Cash didn’t know yet. I couldn’t wait to tell him. He was going to be so happy for me. Wait a minute…“Guinea pig shelter?” I faced Gabe.

“Yeah, there are shelters for them, too.” Gabe twisted his lips. “I wonder if I’m allergic to them as well, or just cats?”

“Probably not. Cat dander is different.” Ryder placed bacon in the pan, and it sizzled, filling the room with the scent of breakfast.

My stomach rumbled. “Are you thinking about getting a pet, Gabe?” I rubbed my belly.

“No, but I think Cash and Silas really want a pet. Silas is so good with animals. It’s his thing.” Gabe sipped his coffee. “Maybe I’ll ask him to bring one home for a little while and we’ll see how I do.”

With a shake of his head, Jeremy said, “They’re really cute. If he brings one home, you might not want to give it back, even if it does bother you.”

“Yeah, guess I’ll have to take that chance.” He patted my knee. “Right Milo?”

“Right.” I thought a minute, watching Ryder turning the bacon. We had all day…“What do you want to do today, Ryder?”

He tilted his head. “I don’t know. Maybe head into downtown Tempe and check out the shops?” He rubbed his chin. “People will be okay with us holding hands and shit down there, right? I mean, there’s a gay bar right there.”

Ryder had so much to get used to, things I took for granted. “Yeah, we can be ourselves out in the open there.”

“Dude, can I borrow a shirt?” Ryder tapped his elbow to Jeremy’s, stirring eggs in another pan.

“Yeah, of course.” Jeremy looked Ryder up and down. “They’ll definitely fit you.”

Gabe rolled his eyes at me. “Look at our twinsy boyfriends.”

My heart bloomed with warmth. This was better than I’d ever imagined.

* * *

After breakfast,we’d driven into downtown Tempe and tooled around the shops with me trying on some vintage clothes to show Ryder. He was very okay with my flashy choices in clothing. But then, it was what he was used to seeing me wear.

We strolled along the sidewalk holding hands, the two and three-story brick buildings rising beside us, the glass high-rises out in the distance. It was hot today and only going to get hotter. We should duck into someplace cool. As we walked to the metal stairs of The Club on Mill, Ryder stopped and looked up. “Is the gay bar open during the day?” He shielded his eyes from the sun with his hand.

“I think so.” I tugged him toward the steps. “Only one way to find out.” I’d only been here at night, but maybe this would be an easy way to introduce Ryder to the place when it wasn’t so crazy and packed.

With a laugh, he followed me up the stairs. “Holy shit, I might be going to my first gay bar as an actual queer person.”

“That you are.” As I got to the top of the stairs, I peered inside the glass doors. The place was by a college campus, it would make sense to be open during the day, wouldn’t it?

A muscled man with a bare chest was wiping the bar top.

“I think we’re in luck.” I swung the door open and waved Ryder inside. “After you.” As he passed, I swatted his fine ass and he yelped.

“Making sure everyone knows I’m yours?” He wagged his brows at me.

“Yes.” I snatched his hand and dragged him to the bar where a blackboard stood with funny shot names in written out in neon colors. “What do you think? A shot or just a beer?”

“I’m getting a beer. Somebody has to drive us home later.” He gave me a smirk.

The bartender looked him over. “ID?”

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