Sparkling Combustion - 28. Chapter 28

I stared at the other faces peering curiously at me. Laura was frowning but Josh was grinning stupidly. He’d calmed down some. “Both of my best friends have the most aggravating partners.” He said cheerfully.

“And you’re happy about that?” Laura asked, rolling her eyes.

Josh shrugged. “Hey, I’m just chilling.”

Laura mouthed, ‘whatever,’ and turned back to me. “I asked you a question.”

“Sorry, what was it?” I blushed.

“I asked,” Laura said, gritting her teeth, “If you’d heard from Rob.”

I frowned. “No, why’s that?”

“Yeah, why?” Josh asked. He too, was curious.

“Jeremy and him seemed to be getting a little cozy and I talked to him the other day and he seemed…let’s just say preoccupied with someone who didn’t sound male.” Laura said.

I frowned. I still, despite my efforts at being less blind, couldn’t see how Jeremy was in love with me. Intrinsic flaw, though it may be, I was working on it. “I didn’t expect it to be serious, Laura, and I doubt he did either.”

“Yeah, Rob seemed fine when I saw him.” Josh said. “You could have asked me you know? He was my friend first before Kyle met him.”

“Sorry,” Laura said genuinely. “Anyway, Kyle is obviously back to la-la-land. I’m so glad Ryan doesn’t have this spare.”

Josh grinned. “Yeah, Ryan’s pretty sure about something when he sets his mind to it, eh Kyle?” He winked.

I rolled my eyes. “You mean about the fact that he seems to want to tell everyone we’re together, than yeah I’d noticed…”

“Might want to restrain him until you come out to your parents.”

“Yeah about that,” I blushed, “They, uh, caught Ryan and me together yesterday…”

Josh grimaced. “Not cool. How did they take it?” Laura nodded seriously.

I grinned. “Well you see, my parents aren’t stupid and as great as I am at concealing things from them,” I said sarcastically, “to be honest, they were expecting it. Of course, now that it’s official, there are more rules and I had the sex-talk. It was a nightmare.”

“Question,” Laura held a finger up, “If you and Ryan are already together, what’s this whole first date thing? I mean, you’re already having sex.”

I sighed. “Ryan’s idea, not mine. It’s his idea of being romantic.”

Josh laughed. “Shut up, you love it. Man, I need a girlfriend…wonder if Sammy is single.” He muttered, catching sight of a red-head who’d just passed by.

Laura ignored him and smiled at me. “Aw, that’s too adorable. Well, have fun tonight.”

~*~
Ryan arrived on time at seven PM. Much to my embarrassment, he brought flowers for me, which he thrust at me when I opened the door. “Hey, Kyle,” He murmured, catching my hand and pulling me in for a kiss before my parents came into the room.

I let his hands slide liberally to my hips before forcibly pushing him away from me. He could get a bit carried away, and as game as I was for that, my parents happened to be around.

“Hello, Ryan,” I said, equally as formally.

A small smile played on his lips briefly before his beautifully lean face widened into a huge smile. “See, it isn’t so hard being nice to me occasionally.”

“I’m never mean to you,” I said, rolling my eyes. Ryan caught my hand. I pretended not to be affected by the touch and looked at him nonchalantly.

“And it’s not so weird anymore?” He asked softly, eyes flashing up apprehensively to mine.

I smiled. “Not so much. I’m giddy with happiness.”

Ryan chuckled. “Giddy? Alright, then. I’ll take that.”

We were interrupted just then, by the sound of my parents coming into the front hall. We all spent a few moments (awkward for me and Ryan) talking, and then my parents let us out the door. My parents already knew Ryan from before so no introductions were necessary, and then the past few days had taken care of the small details and important things.

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the door shut behind us.

“I’m looking forward to tonight.” He said. “I like your shirt.” He ran a hand down the white material.

“You said it was fancy, so I dressed up.” I said.

“Nice ass.” He grinned, smacking it lightly.

“Thanks.” I replied. “You don’t look too bad yourself.” We leaned against the side of the car. He smiled down at me but I reached up, grabbed his tie and pulled him down for a kiss.

“ I’m a little nervous.” Ryan admitted sheepishly. “I want everything to be perfect.”

“Shut up, I’m crazy about you.” I said, silencing him. He did so and grinned widely. I knew that would make him happy.

It was going to be a terrific night.

~*~