Page 47 of More Than a Spark

“No, thanks.” I waved her off and picked up my fork, my gut clenching. I still had to come out to Dad. I twisted the fork in my hand. Maybe when I came out to Mom, she’d never want to talk to me again. Problem solved there.

“Okay, enjoy your breakfast.” The waitress swiveled and walked off.

“How’re things going at the academy?” Dad poured syrup on his pancakes, then cut into them.

“Good.” I thought back over the week. I’d been training along with some pretty good guys. “There’s a recruit that I’ve been helping a lot. He’s good, but he’s young and a little cocky, so doesn’t always make the best decisions.” I ate a bite of bacon. Yeah, Russ was a good guy, but needed to grow up a little.

“Yeah? Sort of like how you were, huh?” Dad chuckled and shoveled a piece of pancake into his mouth.

“Guess so.” With a smirk, I nodded and scooped scrambled egg onto my fork. Maybe that was why I’d gotten close to this kid. He’d reminded me of myself when I’d first started. “Plus, with my experience, my RTO is using me to assist him a little bit.” I straightened my shoulders and ate my eggs.

“That’s good, son. It’s not like you’re a new recruit at this point, right?” His smile wrinkled his eyes.

“Yeah, most of what I’m training on isn’t really new, just a new take on what I’d already learned.” I drank some orange juice. How could I get this conversation back to Milo? I worried my lower lip, thinking on his new casino show. “Milo’s band is really good.”

“Is it now?” He set his fork down on his plate. “You went to go see him play, when, last weekend?”

“I did.” With a nod, I bit into my buttered toast.

He tented his fingers over his plate. “Is he seeing anyone now?”

I choked on my bread, covering my mouth with my fist, coughing.Fuck, here’s your chance.

“You okay?” He wrinkled his forehead and leaned in.

After clearing my throat, I said, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just, uh, swallowed wrong.” I pounded my fist on my chest a few times. What should I say?Yes, Dad, he’s seeing me? We’re boyfriends?Dad might have a heart attack right here in the restaurant if I told him that. “Um, he was seeing this guy, Archer, but I guess it didn’t work out.” I hung my head. Shit, I couldn’t do it. What was wrong with me?

“Oh, that’s too bad. He’s such a good kid. He deserves to be loved by a nice boy.” He picked up his knife and fork and cut into his pancakes. “So, I take it you met this Archer?”

“I did. He’s a hockey player for ASU. Nice guy, but Milo wasn’t feeling it.” I ate more eggs. Fuck, I could talk about Archer all day long, but not about me and Milo dating? I was such a shit. This was way harder than I’d thought it’d be.

“Well, I’m sure he’ll meet a nice young man after he graduates and settle down. Anyone would be lucky to have him.” Dad threw me a glance.

“Yeah, they sure would.” With my stomach churning, I forced more toast into my mouth. That was it. My plan to tell Dad about us had failed. I didn’t have it in me. I’d have to try again later.

THIRTEEN

MILO

Istood at the window in the main room of the band house, watching the guys pile out of their cars and stroll to the front door. We hadn’t had time for a real practice in a month. It would be good to have the six of us alone together like old times. I stepped to the door and flung it open. “Hi, guys.”

Patting my shoulder, Axel looked me up and down, his Sex Pistols t-shirt pulled tight across his chest and his bullet belt slung low on the hips of his black skinny jeans. “Hey, Milo. I heard you’ve been getting it on with your hot fireman boyfriend?”

Cocking my head, I gave him a sly grin. “Maybe.” News always traveled fast with these guys.

“Uh-huh.Maybemy ass.” He brushed past me and into the house. “Where’s that bastard, Silas?”

“He’s in the practice room getting set up.” My gaze shifted to Caleb, his hazel eyes surrounded by dark, wavy hair, longer on top and swiped to the side, his nose ring glinting in the sun. “Hey, man.”

“Milo.” He gave me a bro shake with a side hug, then stepped inside the house. “Dude, you know we’re all going to want to hear about Ryder.” He arched a brow.

“Yeah, I know.” I patted his arm as he strode after Axel.

A few thumps and the snap of snares sounded through the house, followed by a quick riff on guitar and my heart filled with warmth. The house was brought back to life with band sounds, how it should be.

Devin strolled up the walkway, all his hair dyed a flaming red, his blue eyes lined with black liner. “Hey, Milo. Good to see you.” He held out his palm and I slapped it.

“Yeah, haven’t had a practice in a while, huh.” I flicked a lock of his bangs. “You went all red.” He’d only been dying his bangs before.

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