I select the song on my phone and hit play. Ryder cues into the music with his guitar immediately, and I watch him as we play. Ryder is very handsome, striking even. Dark hair and eyes that glow like amber. There are some subtle changes that have occurred over the past year, like his shoulders and chest seem wider and bulkier, his hair on top a tad longer, his arms thicker with muscle. Jayson is taller, his body more streamlined from swimming, whereas Ryder is more muscular. Julien is similar in build to his twin brother, but leaner due to all the soccer and running he does. It boggles my mind how I got to be so lucky to have three such gorgeous, captivating boys as my best friends, ones that love me in different ways.
Ryder’s eyes meet mine and he gives me a knowing eyebrow wiggle as he catches me checking him out. My face heats. Yep, totally busted.
Jayson and my dad appear in the doorway as Ryder and I finish the song.
“You guys sound good together,” my dad says as he walks in and picks up his bass guitar. “Do you mind if your old man joins in the jam session?” Dad plucks the strings a few times and turns on the amplifier for it while he waits for us.
“What’s up, Ry?” Jayson and Ryder fist bump.
“Not much, man. Keeping busy.”
Jayson walks over to where I am sitting behind the drums and gives me a short, sweet kiss. “Hey baby.”
I tap a drum stick against his butt. “Do you mind waiting while we play?”
“Not at all,” he replies, kissing me one more time, and pulls up a stool to sit next to me.
“What’s your poison, dad?”
“Do you guys remember how to play ‘Come Closer’?” Dad asks us.
“Oh! That’s the one you taught both me and Ryder. I love that one.”
Ryder plays the first three measures of the song to refresh his memory. “I think I got it.”
I tap my drum stick against Jayson’s knee to get his attention. “Jayson, would you mind videoing us?”
“On it,” he says and stands up with his phone pointed at us. I want to treasure this rare moment - me, dad, and Ryder playing together like old times, and Jayson with us. When we finish, my dad lifts me up in a great big bear hug.
“Love you, Pumpkin.”
“Love you too, Dad.” I squeeze him harder. I’ll be leaving for college in a little over a year and won’t have as many opportunities to enjoy my favorite daddy hugs like I do every day now. I want to pack as many in as I can, especially since he’s leaving again for a six-city tour.
Dad puts me back down and clasps Jayson’s and then Ryder’s hands before leaving. “Good to see you boys.”
Ryder goes to the minifridge in the corner and takes out three waters, handing me one and tossing the other to Jayson. He opens his water and takes a sip. “That felt real good. It’s been awhile since I last played. Thanks for letting me play with you.”
“Anytime, you know that. We should do it more often.”
Jayson hooks his arm around my waist. “What brings you by, Ry?”
“Taking a break before I have to head back to the garage.”
“Maria said you guys had a good time last night,” my mouth blurts out before I can stop it.
“Yep,” is his one-word reply, then, “Saw the video of the tree.” A flash of sadness flickers briefly across his face before disappearing. I feel Jayson’s arm tighten around me.The air thickens around us, the tension between Jayson and Ryder palpable. Should I be worried about where this conversation is going?
Ryder is the first to break it. “That was a pretty cool thing to do Jay. Anyway, I think I’ll head back.”
Jayson surprises me with his response. “If you have time, why don’t you come with. Liz and I were going to grab some lunch in town.” I’m so proud of both of them at this moment.
Ryder hesitates, so I push. “That’s a great idea. You’ll come? Please?”
Ryder takes a deep breath. “Yeah, sure. Yeah, I’ll come. Thanks for asking. Mind if I meet you guys there?”
“Ruby’s Diner in a half hour,” Jayson tells him.
“Got it. I’ll be there.”
