Page 33 of The Jock
“Milo, you know I want what’s best for you, right?” Gino sounded sorry enough for Milo to know he was sincere.
“I know, but you have to understand where I’m coming from, Gino. I gave up so much for Neville. From tiny things that I thought didn’t matter, to bigger, more important things that I knew mattered to me. I had a nice time tonight. I don’t know if this thing with Colby is going to go anywhere. Right now we’ve kind of decided collectively that it’s a casual thing. It doesn’t mean anything. And I need that right now.”
Milo rubbed his sternum. Speaking the words out loud tasted like a lie. Being with Colby might have been casual, but it had meant something to him. After so long of cutting chunks of himself away to fit into Neville’s box, Milo was starting to heal. And part of that process was getting used to feeling comfortable in his skin again.
Colby made that easier. He enjoyed the way Milo looked and didn’t question him about why he liked to wear makeup or panties. He looked at him with naked appreciation. It wasgood for Milo’s ego to have someone as kind and thoughtful and gorgeous as Colby to admire him that way.
“It doesn’t sound casual,” Gino grumbled and Milo was glad he was home alone because he was saying more than Gino wanted to hear. He schooled his expression, hoping it would keep his annoyance from seeping through the tone of his voice.
“I know you’re worried about me, but I promise I’m okay. I’m better than I’ve been in a long time. And Colby is partly responsible. And yes, it’s casual. We talked about that earlier tonight.”
Gino made a sound, but didn’t speak.
“Something you want to share with the class, Gino?” Milo’s patience with his friend was wearing thin. He didn’t want to be mad at Gino, but he had to stop grousing about Milo’s choices.
“Nothing. Sorry. You’re right. I’m glad you had a good time.”
Milo doubted the sincerity of Gino’s words, but he was too tired to call him on it. His phone buzzed with an incoming text and he knew without looking it was from Colby.
“I don’t believe you mean it now, but I believe you’ll get there.” Milo sighed into the phone. “We’ll hang out soon.”
“I’m working,” Gino answered, in a way that Milo knew all too well. He’d hurt Gino’s feelings. He hadn’t intended to, but the result was the same.
“So you get lunch, don’t you? I’ll come eat with you.” Milo checked his work schedule. He’d taken some time off, but he was due back to work in a couple days. “I’ll come tomorrow and have lunch with you.”
“Okay, but you’re buying.”
“Deal.” Milo stretched out on the couch and put Gino on speaker. He let the phone lay on his chest and folded his arms behind his head. “Are you still mad?”
Gino sighed. “I was never mad, Milo. I was, am, concerned about you. I watched Neville whittle away at you, and I tried thento say something, but you wouldn’t listen and you’re not willing to listen now. And I hate the idea of you investing your time into someone who isn’t worth it. Again.”
Milo grimaced. “If I admit that I didn’t want to listen to you last time because I was afraid you were right, would that help?”
Gino barked out a laugh. “Not really. You’re a stubborn bastard. Don’t lose that this time and you’ll be fine, okay?”
“Okay.”
He must not have been convincing because Gino’s voice came through the phone even louder.
“Seriously, Milo. You deserve better than you let yourself have.”
“I know.” Milo was quick to answer because he knew that now. He understood the things that Neville had taken from him. The confidence. The freedom. The happiness he chipped away at.
“I know you don’t believe me— Wait. Did you just agree with me?”
“I did.”
“Holy shit, it’s a miracle. Maybe you really are healing.”
Milo scoffed. “Thanks, Gino. Your confidence in me means a lot. I’ve got to take a shower, so I’m going to go.”
“Lunch tomorrow, don’t forget.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Milo ended the call then immediately read his text message from Colby.
In case you’re wondering, I still like what we did.
Well, if that didn’t make Milo’s heart soften. Shit. He liked Colby. He’d already come to that conclusion, but he’d wanted to ignore it. It was impossible to pretend he didn’t like him when a single text had Milo grinning. He typed a response and deleted it. Then started again and deleted that too.
