Page 41 of More Than a Spark

“Um…if you want.” His eyes grew wide as his gaze found mine. “Do you, do you want to call each other that?”

Nodding, I said, “Truthfully? Yeah, I do. I like it.” I flung an arm over his shoulders and kissed his cheek. “Babe.”

His face flushed all the way to the tips of his ears. “Babe.” A shy smile played on his lips. “God, I have a real boyfriend and it’s you.”

“Yeah, it’s me and you’re not getting rid of me, so get used to it.” I leaned in close to him. “The only twink getting in my pants is you.”

“Hey.” He mock glared at me, the twitch in the corners of his lips giving it away. “I’m not a…” He giggled and shrugged. “Yeah, I’m sort of a twink.”

I downed the rest of my beer, the phone call with Archer coming to mind. “So, how did Archer take it when you broke up with him?” Breathing in deeply, I prepared for the worst. I hoped the guy wasn’t too hurt.

“He was cool with it. He knew right away it was because of you.” Tilting his head, he ran his index finger over the lip of his glass. “He was a nice guy though.”

“How did he know about us?” I furrowed my brows. Had I been so obvious that night?

“He said.” Milo smirked at me. “He said you were giving me, and I quote,hungry looks all night.”

I opened my mouth. “Well? What do you expect? You were showing off your lacy panties and turning me into a horn dog all night.” I sniggered. Wait a minute…“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I smiled with my mouth wide open and poked at his ribs, right in his ticklish spot.

Choking out a giggle, he said, “Stop.” He swayed away from me and held up his hands. “Maybe.” His gaze flicked to mine. “It was Cash’s idea.”

“Cash?” I poked at his ribs again and wiggled my fingers, full on tickling him. “You’re going to blame it on him?” God, we were still so juvenile sometimes, but I loved that about him.Loved?Holy shit.

With a cackle, he squirmed and grabbed my fingers. “Stop it. Yes, Cash dressed me for the gig, so you would—” He stammered, his breath catching, his eyes rounding.

I fixated on him. “So I would what?” I barely breathed. There was a secret here. He’d been keeping secrets from me?

“Notice me. I wanted you to notice me.” He hung his head and pressed his lips together. “I’ve um…I’ve liked you as more than a friend for a long time now.”

“You have?” My mind raced with the memories of my time with Milo, the absent touches, the teasing about girlfriends, the kiss…Fuck, he kissed me that time in high school. “Since high school? You kissed me, remember?”

Still hanging his head, he nodded. “Yeah, best kiss I’d ever had until last night.” Biting his lower lip, his gaze locked to mine. “I’ve liked you for a long time, Ryder. I never thought I’d have you as my boyfriend.” His eyes glistened and he sniffed. “This is like a dream for me.”

Throwing my arms around his shoulders, I crushed him to my chest and kissed his head, brushing my hand down the back of his curls. “I had no idea. I’m such an idiot.” My heart ached and my eyes stung. “Shit, Milo, I hope you know this is real. I hope you know I’m in this with you, okay?”

He pushed off me and rested his forehead on mine, then took my hands in his. “I know. I feel it. This is real.” He shook our hands between us, then swiped at his eyes. “Damn it. You’re making me cry.”

“No, you’re makingmecry.” With a stuttered chuckle, I wiped the wetness from my lashes. “Thank God we’re in a gay bar and not a sports bar.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” He glared at me and grinned.

“Nothing. Forget I said it.” I drank the rest of his beer. “Guys cry in sports bars all the time when their team loses.” Now I was losing my damn mind. It was all his fault somehow. He made me stupid happy. “Your turn to get us beers.” I waggled my brows at him.

* * *

After a fun day out,I drove us back to Milo’s place and parked. Would it be rude to invite myself in? I glanced at him, worrying the door handle on my truck. “So…” But this was Milo, my best friend. I twisted my lips. But now my boyfriend.

“So.” He fluttered his gaze to meet with mine. “Do you want to come in?” He raised his brows.

“Yes, I want to come in.” Leaning over the center console, I cupped his cheek and pressed a long kiss to his mouth. “I don’t want to wear out my welcome here, but I don’t want to go home yet.” What would I be doing if we were still just friends? Probably going home to see Dad. Fuck.

“Okay, let’s go in.” He opened the door and climbed out.

I met him at the walkway to the front door, scanning around us. There was a Mini Cooper in the driveway. “Who’s home?” I pointed at it.

“That’s Cash’s car, so he and Silas are probably home.” He lifted the edge of his mouth. “Cash is going to lose his mind.” He snatched my hand.

As if on queue, the door flung open and Cash ran outside, then halted in front of us, clapping his hands over his chest, a broad smile on his face. “Oh my God, look at the lovebirds.”

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