Page 95 of Lost Boy
“Thanks,” I mumble, ducking my head and slipping past him, hurrying after Ryder. I let any lingering thoughts of this pointless interaction slip through the fog. It’s time to let the creativity take over, and I’m ready to get my hands on that guitar and play with a real band for the first time.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
RYDER
I’m sick of hiding and sick of other people hitting on Fallon. Guysandgirls. He’s clueless to it all and doesn’t see it or doesn’t care. And that bothers me. He doesn’t really seem to care about anything except maybe music and, hopefully, me. The more time I spend as Fallon’s boyfriend, the more I’m willing to take the risk. The risk that my university will drop me, the NBA won’t want me, and my mother will abandon me.Again.
Fuck. It could happen. All of it. Easily.
The last chord of Fallon’s guitar strums, and I look at the giant nautical clock on the wall. His hour-long set should be over now, and I’m feeling so fucking proud of how he stepped out of his comfort zone to play in front of people.
Fallon sets the guitar down and bumps fists with the band members, murmuring something before hopping down and letting the keyboard player take over with soft, soothing piano music.
Sofie jumps up from the table before I do, nearly spilling her raspberry lemonade as she runs to congratulate Fallon.
“Fallon! Oh my God! You were so good! I can’t believe you can play like that,” Sofie squeals, throwing her arms around him and squeezing tight. I forgot she hasn’t heard him play yet. I don’t think Joel or my dad has either. He’s amazing and deserves to be heard by everyone.
Fallon looks a lot more comfortable with the embrace than he did a few weeks ago. It’s that Cruz family charm coming at him from all fronts. He just can’t deny it, so we’re making progress.
Score!
“Thanks, Sofie,” he mumbles in that quiet, raspy voice, squeezing her before stepping away and running a hand through his two-toned hair.
“I need to find Haley and get the money, a drink, and my dessert. Been a long weekend.”
“It sure has. Let’s do that and go home, kids.” I sling an arm around Fallon and my sister to cover the fact that I wish I could just openly touch him however and whenever I please. I want to hold his hand, hug him, kiss him, flirt with him. Shit. I’m really starting to question staying in the closet. Fallon makes me wanteverything. All the time. I’m not sure if I can hold out for another week, let alone my entire basketball career. It’s not realistic.
I know what I want to do now.
* * *
“Dad?! Have you seen my game day kicks? I’m gonna miss the bus!”
Fuck, where’s my lucky pair of sneakers?
“You’re not going to miss the bus, mijo. You're the team captain, and the head coach is standing right here.” My dad pulls Joel into his side and gives him a big kiss, making that obnoxious smooching sound. I glance away, wishing I could do the same with Fallon.
“Gah! PDA, guys! How many times do I have to tell you?” Sofie jogs down the stairs holding my sneakers by the shoestrings. “You left these in the bonus room, and I tossed them into the closet ’cause they stink.” She juts her arm out at me, turning her head away and wrinkling her nose, but she just looks cute. Especially dressed in our school colors with my number twelve on her cheek and her hair in pigtails.
I snatch them from her, chuckling as I sit on the bottom step. “Funny. Except they don’t.” I slip my shoes on, pulling my classic, striped crew socks halfway up my calves and praying for luck in tonight’s game.
Another week has passed, and I’ve hardly had a moment to myself, let alone to spend with my boyfriend. Besides a few quick handies and a blowie on Wednesday night, it’s been school and basketball only.
I passed out after finishing dinner and homework all week, so I’m looking forward to the season being over and getting a breather.
Fallon comes down next, dressed in a black hoodie withAcadia Lake Knightson the front in metallic silver. Joel must have gotten that for him. He looks good.Really good.
His nails are freshly painted, his eyeliner is extra dark, and theshimmer. The fucking shimmer on his lips is extra bright tonight. I can’t wait to see them wrapped around my cock later.
I stand quickly, grabbing Fallon by the elbow and halting him on the last step. Everyone else is grabbing their jackets and wallets and isn’t paying attention to us. “I’m gonna win the championship for you, then take you home and fuck you, Blue. Get ready ’cause it’s happening tonight. I can’t wait to see you impaled on my cock, riding me.”
I need to chill before I pop a boner in my basketball shorts. It wouldn’t be easy to hide in the silky maroon fabric.
“Ryder,” he hisses, trying to subtly adjust himself in his ripped black jeans.
I chuckle, stepping down to grab my jacket.
“Let’s roll, kiddos!”
