Page 48 of More Than a Spark

“I did. It was time to go all the way, you know?” He stepped inside the entry as I shut the door, then he perused the room. “Damn, so much has changed these last few years.” He jutted out a hip and shook his head. “I remember the first time I came to this house after Axel invited me to try out for the band. I was scared as hell.” His gaze met mine.

“Yeah, but the first song we all played together with you as the front man? It all gelled perfectly.” I took in his thin, white t-shirt and gray board shorts. He was dressed pretty conservatively today. “Is your dad in town?”

“Yeah.” He dipped his head and toed at the carpet with a sneaker. “It’s been a process for him to accept me being not only bi, but also nonbinary. I try not to shove it in his face all the time, you know?”

“Yeah, I get it.” I walked with him into the kitchen. “Can I get you a beer?” All the other guys had lived here in the house and always made themselves at home. But Devin hadn’t and we’d always treated him as a guest.

He raised the edge of his mouth. “We’re practicing, of course I want a beer.”

With a smile, I said, “Of course.” I grabbed two canned beers out of the refrigerator and handed him one. “How are you and Brandon doing?”

Snicking his beer open, he said, “Great. Brandon got a job with the Tempe School District starting this fall, so he’s finally doing what he loves and helping kids with their speech.” He sipped his beer, a warm glow sweeping over his face. “He’s so good with the kids?—”

“You two looking to adopt maybe?” I lifted my brows. God, the thought of any of us having kids was a little weird. But we were all growing up and it was probably inevitable.

He dipped his head. “We have to get married first, I think.”

“Who’s getting married?” Axel waltzed into the kitchen and pulled a beer out of the refrigerator, then opened it. “Nobody gets married before me and Remy.” He tapped Devin’s chest with a knuckle, then gulped his beer down.

“Oh for fuck sakes, Axel. It’s always Remy, Remy, Remy.” With an eyeroll, Silas stepped to Axel’s side. “Get me a beer, will ya?”

Axel tossed a glare at Silas. “Get it yourself. Last time I checked, you had two hands.” He snickered. “But judging by that riff you just played, maybe they’re not working so well.” Ticking his brows, he drank his beer.

“Oh, shut it.” Silas grumbled and grabbed a beer for himself. “So, Milo, when are you going to start talking about Ryder?”

Gabe followed Caleb into the kitchen, beers in hand, and Gabe asked, “What’s going on out here? We’re supposed to be practicing.”

“I think we’re all more interested in hearing about Milo’s new fireman hotty.” With a sly grin, Axel drank more beer.

“Okay, okay.” I freed a soft chuckle. As I swayed, I said, “We’re boyfriends and he said he was going to come out to his dad this morning. He left early to have breakfast with him.” I gulped some beer down.

“Holy shit, really?” Caleb grabbed my forearm, then pulled me into a quick embrace and kissed my cheek. “That’s awesome, Milo. So, he’s really a band wife now? We’re all paired up?”

“We are.” I nodded, my smile stretching from ear to ear. Damn, I’d been looking for someone to replace Ryder, but I had him instead.

Devin bumped his elbow to mine. “So, have you said the big words yet? Have you told him you love him?”

“Oh, uh, no.” I twisted my lips and tightened the grip on my can. “H-he doesn’t know that I um, that I love him.” I knitted my brows. “I think it’s too soon.” I focused on Devin. “Right? It’s too soon.”

“Ryder doesn’t have a fear of getting close to people like Remy, does he?” Axel eyed me.

“No, he’s very open with his feelings. I mean, we’ve always said we loved each other when we were just friends. But now it’s different. It means a lot more.” I tensed my lips. How exactly does Ryder feel about me? My love for him had always been in the romantic sense, but this was all new to him.

“Don’t worry, Milo. When the time is right, you’ll know.” Gabe tapped his beer can on mine, then sipped his drink. “Or, you’ll spill it when you don’t mean to.” He chuckled.

“Yeah, like I did.” Axel snickered.

“Or maybe Ryder will set up a romantic evening for the two of you and tell you then.” Devin ticked a brow.

“Not everyone has a romantic guy like Brandon, Dev.” Silas tsked. “Cash and I just knew it and acknowledged it for what it was.” He wrapped his hand around my forearm. “However it goes down for you, it’ll be right.”

“Thanks, Silas.” My heart bloomed with warmth. These guys were my family outside of my blood family. Hopefully, we’d always be this way.

“So, when is he moving in?” Gabe hooked a brow. “He’s living in his dad’s guest room right now, right?

“Yeah, but…” Widening my eyes, my pulse kicked. Ryder needed a place, and we could make room. “Would you guys be okay with that?” I flicked my gaze from Gabe to Silas.

With a shrug, Silas said, “Sure, what’s one more? The rent will be even cheaper that way and bonus, the guy can cook. Between him and Jeremy, we’ll always have good food.” Silas tapped his can on Gabe’s.

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