Page 48 of The Jock
Milo turned to Jonah. “I’ve seen some of his work, but I’d love to see more.”
Jonah whipped his phone out of his pocket and moved to stand next to him. Colby laughed softly and said he’d get Milo a drink and be right back. By the time he returned, Milo was sitting next to Jonah, admiring Spencer’s artistry.
“What do you do, Milo?” Spencer asked.
“Right now, I work in a bar. I used to do drag, but that was more of a hobby than a career.”
“Used to?” Jonah asked.
It was an innocent question, but it caught Milo off guard. Remembering Neville was sometimes a kick to the chest. He had so many regrets where that relationship was concerned that he often wondered if he’d ever be able to put all those ghosts to rest. Would they keep popping up to haunt him? Milo hoped not.
“I met Milo at the gym,” Colby interrupted, saving Milo from having to answer the question. He set his hand on Milo’s shoulder and Milo reached up, covering it with one of his own. “He’s the one who showed Taylor how to make himself look pretty.”
“I told you, the word is hot.” Taylor appeared out of nowhere and Milo’s head turned to the sound of his voice. He was hot, actually. Strictly in a way that wasn’t at all Milo’s type. He could appreciate the aesthetic without being attracted to it.
Taylor’s look was subtly feminine. A pair of skinny jeans with a pink belt and a white blouse with tiny flowers. It was only buttoned halfway, showing off the gold chain he wore.
“And I told you, the best you’re getting out of me is fabulous,” Colby said and Milo could hear the way he rolled his eyes. Taylor came up to Milo and hugged him like they were old friends.
“I’m glad you could make it. Did Colby bother introducing you to everyone?”
“Just Jonah and Spencer so far.”
Taylor looped his arm around Milo’s and tugged him away. “You need to meet Nash and Damon.”
“Oh, I’ve met Nash at the gym.”
“I’m not surprised. Nash is Colby’s best friend and Damon is Jonah and Spencer’s bestie.”
“Is this everyone?” he asked.
“Yeah, sometimes we have other people show up, but mostly it’s the kids and their friends. This is the first time Colby has brought a date, though.” Taylor shot Milo a knowing look. “You should’ve been there when he told everyone. He sent us all thisominous ‘we need to talk’ text message. Dad and Jonah thought he was dying or something.” Taylor cackled and Jonah threw him an unimpressed and slightly embarrassed glare.
“It’s not my fault that he’s vague and dramatic.”
“It’s a little funny,” Colby tugged Milo back to him as the person Milo assumed was Damon appeared from inside the house.
“Were you raiding the cookies again?” Colby asked him and Milo caught sight of the last bite of a cookie disappearing into his mouth.
Damon mumbled something around a mouth of food, then saw Colby and Milo’s joined hands and choked. Nash was over there in a flash, patting him on the back.
“I’m fine,” Damon croaked but didn’t move away from Nash’s concerned touch. “When did that happen?” Damon motioned to Colby and Milo.
“Not long ago,” Colby supplied, squeezing Milo’s hand tighter.
“Cool.” Damon wandered over to the barbeque. “What’s cookin’, Dad? It smells good.”
Milo let Colby tug him in close and relaxed into his arms. It was almost strange how at home he felt here. How easily accepted Colby’s coming out was. How no one blinked that he was currently hanging off another man. It was surreal, almost to the point of being painful, how different their lives were.
“Hey?” Colby whispered in his ear. “You okay?”
How could Milo possibly articulate all the ways that he was and wasn’t. There was no simple response to that question because Milo was grateful to be here. Being so easily welcomed into the fold by Colby’s people made Milo warm and fuzzy in one way and also angry and sad in another. How could strangers be so kind to him, but people who’d claimed to love him were cold?The unfairness of it was impossible to ignore. He wasn’t okay. But he was better for having met Colby.
“Yeah,” Milo finally answered. “I think I am.”
In front of everyone, Colby kissed Milo’s temple and tugged him closer, almost indecently close. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
