Page 37 of The Jock
Taylor laughed again, loud and long and he eventually had to wipe the tears off his cheeks. At least his mascara survived.
“Is he okay?” their dDad asked Colby.
“He’s just relieved.”
Now would have been a good time to tell their dad about his own revelation and he almost did, but then he stepped over toTaylor and pulled him into a quick hug. Colby smiled and let Taylor keep his moment to himself. There would be other days to tell his dad.
Besides, while he was certain nothing about himself had changed, his feelings for Milo had definitely shifted and Colby wanted to explore that realization before he opened himself up.
Taylor caught Colby’s eye and smiled at him over their dad’s shoulder. He grinned at him, a bright smile that made him look happier than he had in years. Colby quickly grabbed his phone and snapped a picture. Before he could think twice, he sent it to Milo to show him the results of his good deed.
And if he spent the rest of the day obsessing about the man, that was his own business.
CHAPTER 16
MILO
“Someone’s in a good mood.”Milo’s coworker Randy reached around him to grab a towel.
“I’m always in a good mood.”
Randy scoffed. “You’re not, though. You’re grumpy and sad a lot.”
“I—” Milo snapped his mouth shut and went back to pouring drinks. He wished it were busier so Randy would be occupied with customers and wouldn’t have time to pester Milo about the improvement in his temperament.
Because he was happier. Even he had to admit that he felt better today than he had in a long time. And not just today. He didn’t want to think too much of it, so he didn’t. He served drinks, made small talk, chatted with his regulars, and didn’t let himself think of the reason he’d been lighter recently.
But then it came time for him to go on break and he pulled his phone out, and it opened to the message Colby had sent him. The picture of Taylor hugging their dad like his life depended on it, looking so incredibly happy that it broke Milo to pieces. But if it broke him, it also rebuilt him. To know that he’d made a difference in someone’s life had lit up a corner of himself that he hadn’t known was there.
He’d seen the happiness in Taylor’s face when he’d been there helping him, showing him some basic things and some tips on how to care for the products he did have and how to choose the ones he needed. Taylor was very much a hands-on learner, Milo quickly discovered, and it wasn’t a wonder why he’d struggled to teach himself from videos. But he’d hung on Milo’s every word and asked questions, and eventually he’d relaxed and learned to go easy on himself.
Mistakes could be wiped away. They weren’t the end of the world. It was only makeup. If you didn’t like the result, you could do it over until you did. And seeing that picture of Taylor meant something to Milo. Something he couldn’t name yet, but not for lack of trying. It was all he’d been thinking about since Colby sent it.
Well, not all, to be fair. He’d done his fair share of thinking about Colby too. Milo wanted to see him again, he realized, as his heart thundered in his chest. He wanted to have the kind of relationship with him where they’d have photos of each other in their phones. Where he could go over when he got off work and undress and crawl into bed next to him, doing his best not to disturb him, but failing. He wanted those quiet moments in the middle of the night when Colby would be barely awake. The sleepy smiles. The slow kisses that tasted like long hours apart, like sleep, and yearning fulfilled.
Feeling bold, or horny—or some mixture of the two—Milo sent a text to Colby. It was probably stupid and needy…and he found he didn’t care.
Can I come over tonight?
He hit send before he could think twice about it. They hadn’t defined their relationship, if that’s what they were doing. So Milo didn’t want to assume that Colby would want him there. Maybe he’d satisfied his curiosity and now that Taylor had been taken care of, he didn’t have a further use for Milo.
Luck was on Milo’s side that night because he didn’t have to wait long for an answer.
Fuck, yes
then
Was that too much?
Milo tried to school his expression, but couldn’t help smiling at his phone.
It was just right. I’m off at one. Is that too late?
Definitely not. See you then.
Colby sent a series of smiling emojis and the sight of one with heart eyes made Milo’s knees soft. He was stupid gone for a guy who hadn’t been with a guy before, who might very well be using him as an experiment, but Milo didn’t get that impression from him. Colby radiated this energy, like he was incapable of deceit.
It was a crazy thought to have. Anyone was capable of lying and cheating and being someone you didn’t recognize. Milo knew that firsthand. But his every interaction with Colby had made him believe that what he saw was what he got. That there was no hidden agenda. No selfish ulterior motive. There was just Colby and his love for his family and his willingness to live in the moment.
