Page 81 of Spark

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” I mutter, striding toward a window on the far wall of the laundry room. I peek through it, and sure enough, it leads to a dark, quiet side of Reed’s house—a spot where nobody is milling about and we won’t be seen, if we use the window as our escape hatch.

“Okay, let’s do it,” Ruby says, her dark eyes sparkling. “Can we get to your car from there?”

“I assume so. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.”

I grab my clothes from the chair and put them on and then get to work getting the screen off the window. It takes some doing, but I manage it, and when the necessary opening has been made, I carefully help Ruby through, taking care not to let her long dress get ripped or damaged. Thankfully, we’re on the first floor of Reed’s house, so her landing, as I lower her down onto her heels, is soft and easy. And finally, when Ruby’s safe and sound, I heave myself through the window and join her in the cool night air.

“Identify yourselves,” a deep, male voice commands from somewhere in the darkness, and Ruby and I freeze like thieves caught in the night. “Oh, it’s you, KC,” the deep voice says, and a second later, a large Black man emerges from the darkness.

“Oh, hey, Barry.” It’s the head of Reed’s security, Barry Atwater. I place my hands over my crotch just in case that splooge stain is visible despite the poor lighting, but there’s no need: without me needing to signal her, Ruby immediately steps in front of me to block Barry’s view of my shame.

“This is Ruby, Barry. She’s in the band with me. Keyboards. Ruby, Barry runs Reed’s security. I’m sure you two must have crossed paths at some point.”

“I’m sure we have. Hello, Ruby.”

“Hello, Barry.”

Barry glances toward the window. “You’re sneaking out the window of Reed’s laundry room?” When his gaze returns to mine, it’s clear the man knows what’s up. It’s written all over his rugged face. I mean, he’s not stupid. He knows we didn’t sneak out a window at a raging party for nothing. And Ruby looks smoking hot tonight. So, surely, Barry’s assuming we’ve got to be up to something sexual.

I gesture toward the window behind us. “Our idea of an Irish goodbye.”

“Ah. I figured as much. Would you like some help with your getaway?” He asks where I’m parked, and when I tell him, he says, “Okay, I’ll lead you through a locked side gate. Take that, and you can get all the way to your car without anybody seeing you.”

“Thanks, Barry. You’re the best. Oh, fuck.My car keys.” I look at Ruby with wide eyes.

“They’re in the room with your clothes?” she asks, wincing.

“Yeah. Oh! But I can also use an app on my phone.” I address Barry. “They took our phones at the door tonight. Would you be willing to get ours for us? I’d owe you a big one.”

Barry laughs, and his white teeth gleam in the night. “Sure thing, KC. I’ll lead you out and then go back for them.”

“You’re awesome, Barry.”

“Anything for you, KC. For both of you. I heard about the bonuses your band gave my security team the other day, after your tour ended. Consider this a thank you.”

Ruby and I share a smile. Our band is known for our monetary generosity with our support staff and crew. We do it because we can. Because we’re grateful for what we get to do for a living and want to share the joy with the people who make it possible. But it’s nice to know our good deeds are coming back to us as karma now.

“Come on, guys,” Barry murmurs. “Follow me.”

Ruby’s wearing heels and she’s been drinking, so I do what I always do at times like this, without thinking twice: I bend down so she can hop onto my back and ride me, piggyback. Of course, that’s exactly what Ruby does. She climbs aboard without a moment’s hesitation.

But this time, as I grip Ruby’s thighs and follow Barry down a random path, I don’t feel the least bit disheartenedthat we’ve both slid into the usual rhythms of our friendship. On the contrary, knowing we’re stillus, despite what we just did in that laundry room, only makes me even more excited about the future we could have together. I don’t want to change anything about my existing friendship with Ruby; I simply want to add sex to it. I already love the girl. I’d already die or kill for her. Move mountains for her. And now, I simply want to fuck her and eat her pussy every day of my life, too. If I could have all that with her, forevermore, I swear I’d die the happiest man who ever lived.

“You promise our fling won’t ruin our friendship?” Ruby whispers into my ear, her arms wrapped around my neck. “Please, KC, swear you’ll never hate me. I couldn’t survive losing you as my best friend.”

I squeeze her thighs. “Babe, I swear to you on all things holy, my feelings for you will be the same as they’ve ever been. The same as they always will be. Forever.”

23

RUBY

“When we get to my house,” Kendrick says, “I’m gonna make you come even harder than you did in that laundry room. Multiple times, too.”

We’re in his car, headed back to his house. He’s driving, and I’m his passenger princess.

“There’s no such thing as me coming harder than I did back there,” I reply with a laugh. “And multiple times? Babe, that’s never happened before, so don’t set your sights on that. I appreciate the enthusiasm, though.”

Kendrick looks away from the road to me. “Didn’t you say I made you come harder than Bruno?”

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