Page 5 of More Than a Spark

“Anyways, I’m going to let you tell your mother you moved back here.” He freed me and pursed his lips. “She should know, and I won’t do it for you.”

I breathed through the stiffness filtering into my chest. “Yeah, there was never a good time before I got here.” I kept my gaze on the steering wheel and my whitening knuckles gripping it. He knew that was a lie and if I looked at him, I’d see it on his face.

“Anyways, tell her this weekend, okay?” he stated more than asked.

“Yeah.” With a huff, I shut off the engine. All Mom really cared about was her status. Now that she was with her investment banker husband and his Ivy league kids, she had everything she ever wanted, right?

Dad climbed out of the truck, and I followed. It was time to go see Milo.

THREE

MILO

It was Friday night and the week at work had dragged on so long, I’d been wondering if I’d gotten stuck in some time warp. I’d made so many boring banners for a high-tech website with a Matrix-like background and some random logos, my eyes were almost crossed. As I walked from my bedroom into the main room of the band house, my phone buzzed the back pocket of my jeans. I jumped. “Fuck.”

I shut the door behind me and opened the text messages.

Ryder

I’m done unpacking. What are we doing tonight?

I scanned the empty main room of the house, the new black leather sectional and nice wooden tables Jeremy had moved in with. I almost missed our old, tattered couch, but this was much better. I tapped on my phone as I strolled into the kitchen.

Milo

Not sure. Just got home. Want to come over to my place? No one’s here.

I winced. Shit, that sounded like an invitation to hook up or something. Huffing a sigh, I grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator and perused the shelves for beer. There were only two cans left.

Ryder

Sure. Can I make you dinner tonight? What else can I bring over?

I clutched at the fabric of my pink crop top over my heart. He was killing me already and he wasn’t even here yet.

Milo

Yes, that would be nice. We’re almost out of beer, so if you could pick some up, I’d be grateful.

Ryder

You got it. See you soon!

As I fell into the corner of the sectional, I let out a long breath. Ryder was finally going to be here, in this very house. I thought back over the years and my mind landed on the year I took off from school to try and make it as an artist. He’d been so supportive, putting me up at his apartment in Flagstaff and making sure people came by my booth at the art fair.

That was two years ago. He’d come down to Phoenix since then, but we’d always met up at his dad’s or a bar somewhere and hung out. He’d never been in town for a gig, especially as he’d been busy with all the wildfires we’d had lately. I combed my fingers through my curly bangs. Every time there was a forest fire in the high country, I’d been on edge and followed it on the news.

The door opened in the kitchen from the garage and Gabe and Jeremy walked in, both dressed in button down shirts and slacks. Gabe was looking more like a lawyer every day.

“Hey.” I twisted on the couch to watch them.

Gabe dropped his backpack by the dinette. “Hey, Milo. I hear you have a fireman friend moving back to town?”

Damn, news traveled fast with these guys. “Yeah. It’s Ryder. I think I mentioned him to you a few times.” Or maybe not? I pinched my lips. Every time I talked about him, it felt like my feelings for him spilled out of me, so I’d tried not to.

“Ryder.” Gabe tapped his lips, while Jeremy grabbed two bottles of water out of the refrigerator. “I don’t remember.”

Jeremy handed Gabe a water, then kissed his cheek. “Here.” He walked to me and grinned. “A firefighter, huh? I already like him.” He sipped his water.

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