Page 11 of The Jock
Milo’s grin was bright and infectious. “How did you guess?”
“A hunch.”
“So what can I help you with?” Milo cut right to the chase, leaving Colby speechless for a moment.
“I’m not technically supposed to be talking about this with anyone.”
“Is it classified?” Milo’s lips pursed around the straw as he took a drink. Colby had a hard time pulling his gaze away.
“Well, if Taylor—that’s my younger brother—if he knew, he’d gut me. And he’s the cook at my family’s diner, so he’d be able to do it for sure.”
Milo waited patiently for Colby to continue. And maybe it was because he waited that Colby was confident enough to share with him. Milo seemed safe, like he’d take whatever Colby was about to say seriously. And it was clearly a topic Milo had some experience with.
“I don’t know if you need the backstory, but our dad raised us all after our mom died. Single parent with a business. He did the best he could, and he did a great job. My brothers and I allturned out fine. Taylor is the youngest of us. He’s barely twenty-two and I don’t want to say that he was coddled, but Jonah and I did our best to look out for him.”
“You’re protective. That’s nice.”
“It’s also hard because I’m not used to him being mad at me, and I fucked up. And I’m trying to find a way to make it up to him. He’s embarrassed, but I want him to know there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“What happened?”
“Taylor snuck into my apartment and left an unwanted gift for me, and that’s a long story.” Colby smiled at the memory. He’d been so mad, but it was kind of sweet that Taylor was so good at growing things and had thought enough of Colby to trust him with some of his plants. “I snuck into his place to leave the gift there. I wasn’t sure I wanted it. And I thought he wasn’t home, but he was. So I went to scare him and he was in his room. I whipped open the door and he’s in there doing makeup and wearing things I’ve never seen him wear and”—Colby took a deep breath and wiped his hand down his face—“he was so mad. Embarrassed. Mortified. He won’t talk to me about it, and he’s sworn me to secrecy, but I hate the idea of him hiding something like that. Something that’s important to him, but it’s like he’s afraid of it. I want to be there for him but… How?”
“Is he still mad at you?”
“A little. He says he’s over it, but he’s barely talking to me. I thought of bringing him here, but then I was afraid it might overwhelm him and push him away. Should I ignore this and wait for it to go away? Like hope he comes to me?”
“You’re worried about him.” Milo’s voice was soft and Colby thought he sounded wistful.
“I want him to be happy.”
“And you think a drag show would make him happy?”
“I think he needs someone to talk to that’s into the same things he’s into. And that’s not me, and it’s not Jonah or our dad. I don’t think he has anyone to confide in about this.” Colby raised his glass and ignored the straw in favor of gulping down half the drink in a few long swallows. “Could I bring him here to meet you? Would that be okay? Please don’t say that I talked to you about him, but maybe if he came here and talked to you, he’d see there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Milo was looking down at his drink and he was quiet for a moment. Colby did his best to give him the courtesy of time and space to mull it over, but he had decidedly less chill than Milo seemed to possess.
“Would that be okay?”
Milo lifted his gaze and smiled at Colby. “I’d be okay with that.”
Colby exhaled a week’s worth of worry and stress in a single breath. “Thank you, Milo. This means a lot to me.”
“You’re a good brother, Colby.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know about that, but I do my best. Is there any way I can repay you for this? I know a guy at the gym who could get you a discount on your membership.”
Milo’s laugh was deep and raspy. “Thanks, but no. It’s fine. When did you want to bring him by?”
Colby rubbed at the back of his neck. “I’ll try for next weekend, but it might take some work to convince him to go anywhere with me. Can I text you?”
“Anytime.” Milo’s permission sounded more like a promise to Colby, who realized he’d been unable to take his eyes off of Milo since they sat down.
“Are you performing tonight?”
Milo shook his head. “Not tonight, no.”
“That’s a shame. I think I’d like to see that.” Colby didn’t understand why, but he wanted to see Milo up on that stage. Healso had to admit that he liked the way Milo blushed when he’d said it. His body liked the way Milo looked too, his muscular shoulders highlighted by the bikini top. His pretty red lips did something to Colby inside.
