Page 118 of Milo

Be a better man, partner, and father.

Listen.

Make you and Mason my top priorities.

Graffiti your walls with my semen.

Eat that pussy sun up and sun down.

Tearfully, I looked up to find that Milo had obliterated the space between us at the table. In his hand was an incredibly gorgeous diamond ring that glistened under the low lights of the room.

“I promise.”

“Yeah?” I nodded.

“This is just a token of my love for you, Nay. Something to remind you daily of the promises I’m making and keeping. If ever I should fall short, and I’m too bullheaded to realize it, lay this at my bedside. I promise I’ll get back right and make sure you’re alright in the process. Nothing, I mean nothing, Nay, means more to me at this point in my life than your happiness and Mason’s well-being.

“Everything I ever wanted to accomplish in life, I’ve accomplished, except walking you down that aisle. I’m going to work my fingers to the bone until that accolade is on my back. Becoming your husband, that’s my aim. This is only temporary. Exercise for your finger in preparation for the real rock, so don’t get too comfortable. It will be replaced any day now.”

He slid the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, offering him even more points in my book. I marveled at the ring’s beauty, moving my finger in a circular motion to see it glisten from every angle.

“And this is just the promise ring?” I coughed, tears streaming down my face, blurring my vision and smearing my makeup.

“A hell of a promise, Nature. The lifetime commitment ring shitting on that one.”

“It feels impossible. This one is… it’s everything.”

“I did good, huh?”

“You did so well, baby.”

“I love you, Nature. Know that. Today. Tomorrow. Next week. Next lifetime.”

“I know, Milo. I’ve never doubted your love for me. I just wanted you to love wholly, without fear and without reservation.”

“I’m working on that. Every day, actively working on silencing all that shit and listening to your heart, your voice, your requests. They tell me everything I need to know without having to overthink shit or lean on what I know best—work.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to us. We’re not your parents.”

“I know that. I know we’re not. It’s just so much easier said.”

“I understand. I won’t push you to see past such a defining moment in your world. Just like you promised me, I promise to hold space for you and my understanding that your head and heart are warring.”

“Like a motherfucker. But I’m rocking with my heart this time. My head, it made me act foolishly and cost me the best thing that had ever happened to me. I still can’t tell you I’m sorry enough. There will never be enough time on earth to make up for what I’ve done.”

“You don’t need any more time. Let’s wipe our hands with everything that has happened up until this moment. Let’s start anew. Let’s start over.”

“Let’s.”

The door opened, grabbing both of our attention. Our server appeared with two large boxes stacked, obscuring her vision. However, she managed to make it to the table unscathed. I turned to Milo, clearing my face of tears.

“Such a fucking crybaby,” Milo teased. “Clean your face, Nay. No more tears.”

I whipped my head from the man across the table to our server over and over, unsure of what was inside the boxes or what I’d done to deserve whatever it was.

“Milo, what is this?”

“More boxes.”

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