Ryder felt like he was at the top of his game. He was the star quarterback. He was one of the studs in glee club. He was even dating the guy of his dreams. Finn announced that the school was having a talent show and that he wanted as many glee club kids in the show as possible. Kitty, Marley, Rory, Blaine, Sam, Joe, Ryder, and Jake all scribbled their names on the audition list before exiting the choir room. Blaine was smirking when Ryder asked "What's with you Anderson? You seem cocky, no pun intended..." The shorter boy rolled his eyes towards the ceiling and proclaimed "I am. None of those girls stand a chance. You have your sweet baritone voice. Jake's voice is just a bit deeper. I've got my wide range, and Sam has his natural ability to move. We boys have this talent show in the bag." Ryder threw up his pointer finger in correction "You forgot Irish. He's got just the same range as you do." The two went their separate ways when Ryder grabbed his backpack from his locker and left the halls on the way home. He was in the middle of his usual walk home when he got an idea since it was 'Tuesday night family dinner' in the Lynn family house. He quickly wiped out his phone and called Jake. The young man answered with a "Yes Ry darling?" He quickly smiled at the pet name and said "Hey honey, you're mom has to close tonight right?" He murmured back "You bet, what did you have in mind?" Ryder told "well, it's the one night a week that my brothers and I have to be home for dinner. I was thinking we could I-umm" Jake chuckled "Sweetie, not trying to sound but Spit it out!" Ryder blurted in a quick rush "I think we should tell my parents we're dating!" Jake's eyes widened at Ryder's honesty, but quickly softened as he whispered into the phone "That sounds like a great idea. Il be at your place about 6:30." Ryder smiled wide and told him "Ok Il see you then sweetheart..." They hung up simultaneously. Ryder continued to walk as he called his parents. "Hey dad, is it cool if Jake comes over for dinner? His mom has to close tonight and I at least want to make sure he eats." His parents said it was fine and to tell Jake that dinner would be ready at 7. He continued his walk home in a bliss he never thought he would feel in his life. He got home and immediately started working on his song for the talent show. He had plans to sing Endlessly by The Cab. His only problem was the fact that he had to get it perfect before the audition that Friday. Everyone was focused on their audition. Sam had to master choreography. Rory had to master a song so far outside his comfort song it was almost scary to the young Irish lad. Everyone just wanted to get it perfect.
Jake finally got to Ryder's house on his Razor scooter just at 6:45. Ryder's younger brother Alex answered the door. As soon as he saw Jake he turned his head towards the stairs and yelled "Ry, hurry up getting dressed, one of your weird Glee club friends is here!" Mrs. Lynn came out of the kitchen to reprimand her son "Alex, be nice! Your brother invited Jake over for dinner. Wait you are Jake right?" He nodded his head slightly and responded "Yes I am Mam; it's nice to meet you Mrs. Lynn." She smiled and told him "Oh please call me Amanda dear. I have no idea what exactly is keeping Ryder." As if on queue, Ryder had just gotten downstairs in his pale blue button up and black skinny jeans. It took everything Jake had not to kiss him and say "You look beautiful honey." Ryder said "So Jake, do you want to go to my room and work on that thing for glee club?" Jake seemed confused but quickly caught on to his insinuation and responded "Oh that thing! Sure, let's go work on that thing." The two bolted up the stairs to Ryder's room. As soon as the door closed Ryder pushed Jake against it and connected their lips. It was a kiss filled with longing and passion. Jake's hands flew into Ryder's soft chestnut brown hair as the taller boy's tongue ghosted over his lower lip. He immediately parted his lips allowing Ryder's tongue access. Ryder deepened the kiss even further when they heard the yell they were dreading from Ryder's brother Blake. "Ry and his friend! Its time to eat!" Ryder quickly fixed his collar to hide the reddish purple hickey Jake had caused on the side of his neck while they walked downstairs.
Dinner was peaceful until desert. His mother passed out the cake when Ryder said "Um mom, Id like to make an announcement." Everyone's attention focused on him quickly. "Well, this is difficult to say…" Jake decided to say what Ryder didn't have the words to. "I'm not his friend. I'm Ryder's boyfriend!" The first to speak up was Mr. Lynn "We assumed so." The two boys who fingers were intertwined under the table both looked shocked. Blake patted his brother on the shoulder "Dude, I was studying in my room. These walls are thin. I could here the two of you 'working on a thing for glee club' No wonder your hiding a hickey on your neck little bro!" Ryder blushed and clasped his other hand over the side of his neck. His mom called from the kitchen "Don't worry Ryder I've got some consealer you can use to cover it up." Jake finally had to leave so Ryder walked him to the door when he realized it was dark and Jake rode his scooter to his house. He asked "Mom can I drive him home? He rode his scooter here…" His mother agreed and handed him the Volvo keys. Jake put his scooter in the trunk and got in the passenger's seat. The two made small talk till Ryder said what they were both thinking "So my family took it better than I thought they would." They both smiled and Jake decided now would be a good time to make a joke. "Sorry for rocking your world and making you moan loud enough for your older brother to hear us..." Ryder smiled and parked in front of Jake's house. The two boys kissed each other good night. Jake smiled and got out of the car. He went inside and saw his mother angry at the table. "Mom what's wrong?" She looked up and asked "Jacob Nathaniel Puckerman, where have you been!?" He calmly told her "Mom, don't worry I was at my boyfriend's house having dinner. He drove me home." She looked relived but the confused. "Wait Jake, since when do you like guys, much less have a boyfriend?" Jake confessed "Well, I've always sort of had feelings for other guys, but Ryder is my first boyfriend." Mrs. Puckerman laughed and stopped him when he went upstairs. "Jake, I'm happy for you, just be happy with what ever choices you make with your life.