Page 39 of More Than a Spark

“Oh, yeah.” Ryder slid his wallet out of his jeans pocket and showed his ID.

I pulled my ID out and did the same. “Two IPAs?” I glanced at Ryder. I knew that was his favorite and I didn’t mind it.

“Yeah.” He slid his wallet back into his pocket and perused the place. “So, looks like a pretty normal bar.”

“What did you expect?” I scanned the area around us, the pool tables on one side with a few guys playing, and a dance floor on the other with a DJ stand that had butterflies and lips painted in neon colors around it. Normally when I was looking at the thing, I was already drunk and grinding on some guy. My gaze shifted to Ryder. Not today and if I was lucky, the only man I’d be grinding on ever again would be him.

A couple chatted a few barstools down from us, then leaned in for a kiss.

“Okay, so in the bars I usually go to, you don’t see guys kissing.” He upnodded at the bartender as he set down our drinks, then paid. “You get the next round.” He sipped his beer.

“Want to go sit down?” I pointed to a set of purple velvet couches facing each other in a corner of the bar. I hadn’t even known the place had those couches. It had always been so packed when I’d come in, I’d never seen them.

“Yeah, that looks good.” He walked with me to the couches, and sat down in one, then draped his arm around my shoulders. “So.”

“So?” I snuck a peek at him. I suddenly was at a loss for words. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I tugged it out. “Shit.” It was Archer. I’d sort of left him hanging all week.

Archer

What are you up to? Want to go out tonight?

“Um…” Ryder peered into my phone. “You haven’t broken things off with him yet?”

“I…we weren’t exclusive, and I wasn’t sure what was going on with you and me.” I didn’t want to be an ass and end things over text. As my gut tightened, I pursed my lips. “Shit, I don’t know what to do.”

“Tell him you have a boyfriend now and you won’t be seeing him again.” Ryder wrinkled his nose. “What are you waiting for?

“Ryder.” I cut my gaze to his and set my beer on the coffee table. “I should probably call him and tell him.” I huffed. “I don’t feel right telling him that over text.”

He freed a soft groan. “Yeah, you’re right. That’s a dick move, huh.” He rubbed his temple. “I feel bad for the guy, I do. But the sooner you let him know about us, the better.”

“Okay.” I looked around the room. The music was probably too loud for a phone call, and it was hot as fuck outside. My gaze landed on the patio overlooking the street. Misters blew a steady stream of cooling clouds over it. “I’ll go out on that patio really quick and call him, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” Ryder slid his arm off my shoulders and hung his head.

“I’m sorry.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek, my heart aching. Ryder must be having some deep feelings for me. I could hope. I jumped up from the couch and strode out the doors onto the patio, then called Archer. The phone rang once and clicked.

“Hello? Milo?” Archer asked.

“Yeah.” I pressed my lips together. This sucked. I hadn’t had to have a conversation like this in a long time. I’d just be direct and get it over with. “Um, I’m calling because we can’t see each other again.” I paced along the patio, pinching the bridge of my nose. Was he going to take this well, or freak out?

“Oh.” He puffed out a breath. “It’s Ryder, isn’t it.”

I lifted my brows. “Uh, yeah. How’d you know?” I paced next to a metal railing, running my fingers down the wetness from the misting system and squinting at the bright afternoon sun.

“I could tell there was something up with him at your show. He had a hungry look in his eyes when he looked at you. He didn’t look at you like you were friends,” he said.

“I think everyone noticed it but me.” I glanced inside the bar at Ryder, sipping his beer.

A cute little blond twink approached him with a shy smile, short shorts, and a crop top.

Damn it. Couldn’t leave the guy alone for a second. “I’m sorry, Archer. I did really want to date you, but…” I watched Ryder chatting with the twink. “I’ve been sort of waiting for Ryder to come around for a long time.”

“You love him?” he asked.

“Yeah, I love him. Have for as long as I’ve known him.” I choked out a laugh. “He doesn’t know that, so if you see him at one of our gigs or something?—”

“Don’t worry, Milo. You’re secret’s safe with me.” He inhaled quickly. “Milo? He’s a lucky guy. I wish you two the best.”

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