Page 105 of Spark

Everyone cracks up at C-Bomb’s clapback, even Kai.

C-Bomb adds, “I just said I don’t want my sister dating anotherdouchebag, remember?” As we all laugh again, C-Bomb returns to me. “Seriously, though, are you interested in her, KC? Miranda’s always liked you. And if I could handpick one guy to make an honest woman out of my wild sister, it’d be you.”

“Sorry, C-Bomb,” Savage interjects. “KC can’t dateyoursister, when he’s madly in love with Titus’s.”

I glare at Savage with wide eyes that scream, “What the fuck, man?” But it’s a pointless exercise. He’s visibly drunk and stoned off his ass. Which means his filter is now gone, baby, gone.

“So, all that kissing you’ve been doing with Ruby on the internet has been real,” C-Bomb says with a chuckle. “I figured as much, but Miranda swore it was all an act to piss off Cooper or whatever.”

“It’s not necessarilyreal, but it’s not fake, either,” Savage says incoherently. “He’s madly in love, but Ruby thinks they’re only having a fling.”

“Wait,what?” Kai blurts.

“Savage. Please, shut the fuck up now.”

“Ooooh, this is getting interesting,” C-Bomb says. “You’re flinging with your bestie, while secretly wanting more? Nice.”

“Oldest trick in the book,” Savage says. He raises his index finger. “But also, highly effective.”

“Kendrick, what the fuck?” Kai says. “You want Rubyfor real? Since when?”

I run a hand through my hair. “Guys, listen to me, this conversation can’t leave this room, okay? Please. I’m begging you.”

“Calm down,” C-Bomb says with a laugh. “Savage didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know. We all know you’ve been love with that keyboardist of yours for years now.”

“I didn’t know that,” Kai insists.

“How is that even possible?” C-Bomb says to Kai. “He’s not subtle. The kid wears his heart on his sleeve.”

“How long have you been feeling this way, KC?” Kai asks, looking legitimately shocked.

“Fuck.” I’m panicked. Reeling. C-Bomb’s sister, Miranda, is close friends with Ruby, and everyone sitting at this table is also good friends with Titus. Oh, god. Fish’s and Colin’s wives are friendly with Ruby, too! And both of those women are close friends with Violet, who’s one of Laila’s closest friends. Fuck me. With all those connections, Savage’s drunken slip of the tongue will definitely get back to Ruby, one way or another, and ruin everything for me, if I don’t lock this shit down right fucking now.

“Guys, listen to me,” I blurt in a panic. “This conversation seriously can’t leave this room. Please. My life’s happiness depends on it. This is life or death for me.”

Everyone promises, looking like they’re waiting with bated breath for whatever I’m going to say next. Kai, especially, looks like he’s on tenterhooks.

“You can’t tell anyone,” I repeat. I look at C-Bomb. “Noteven your sister.” I look at the other guys. “Not even your wives.”

Everyone assures me they won’t say a word to anyone, not even the women closest to them; and slowly but surely, I start to genuinely believe them and calm down.

“Tell me what’s going on,” Kai says. “How long has this been going on?”

“For me? Since day one. For Ruby, only recently. But like Savage said, Ruby thinks we’re only flinging for the fun of it—and with a firm expiration date.”

Kai looks flabbergasted. “So . . . When you asked her to audition for the band . . .?”

“You were right. I wanted her.”

Kai’s jaw drops. But apparently, he’s too floored to form words.

“To be honest,” Fish says, breaking the thick silence between my brother and me. “I’ve often wondered why you and Ruby even bothered dating other people. Your chemistry has always been so damned obvious.”

I do my best to explain the history of our close friendship.

“That’s why I told him, he’s got to be a Doberman now,” Savage says.

“Kendrick, fuck that,” Fish says. “Fuck being a Doberman. You’re a golden retriever, man. Through and through. Just tell her how you feel.”

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