Love or Lust (LOL): Part 2

Day 18

After an amazing date with Callen,even with the sad turn toward the end, I was excited to see what Milo had planned for us tonight. I guarantee it’s not what he has planned for his date with Courtney, that’s for sure. Especially if the sounds coming from her villa when Callen and I returned last night were any indication.

Soft moaning.

A ton of oh my Gods.

Yes, yes, yes.

I heard it all in the twenty seconds it took me to scurry past her place and up my steps. I guarantee I’m not the only one either if the irritated glances she was receiving at breakfast this morning were any indication. Not that she seemed to notice. There was a grin permanently plastered on her face.

If I hadn’t seen her holding Milo’s hand at the fitness center, I wouldn’t know who was with her last night. She gave away no indication. Didn’t make eye contact with any of the guys. Barely spared a glance across the table in their direction. In fact, now that I think about it, she was oddly silent.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Courtney, it’s that she likes to talk. About anything and everything. Mainly clothes, accessories, shoes... but honestly, she can hold her own in a conversation. I overheard her talking with Natasha the other day about Greek mythology. If I didn’t know Natasha had studied in Greece for a summer, I would have thought Courtney was leading the discussion. It surprised me and, judging by the look on Natasha’s face, her as well.

“So what do you have in store for us this evening?” I ask Milo as we walk toward the front of the house. Jace and Bella are off to our left, milling around by the pool. I can’t help but stare at him as we pass. He’s wearing a button-down shirt that’s rolled up to his elbows and dark-wash jeans. Casual but stylish.

The way Bella’s staring up at him, I have a feeling she approves as well.

How could she not? He’s so nice to look at. Not to mention his kisses make me weak in the knees and leave me begging for more. I wonder if she’s experienced that yet? Has he kissed anyone else? Does he want to?

“I can just go alone if you want,” Milo says, a hint of irritation in his voice.

When I look back to him, he’s at least ten feet away from me, holding the door to the house open. I stopped walking at some point, my attention focused on Jace. My mind wandering to places I wish it wouldn’t. Places that will haunt me when I sleep.

Because I have no claim on him. On who he kisses. On what he does with those amazing lips while out with the other girls.

Fuck!

I need to pull myself together.

“Sorry, I just...”

Why lie? He knows exactly what I was doing, who I was looking at, and what I’m thinking about right now.

“I’m ready if you are,” I say, quickly making my way over to where he is and placing a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for waiting on me.”

His smile is forced as he brushes me off. I can tell something is on his mind, more than likely Courtney. If he wants to talk about it, I’d be happy to listen, but I’m not sure how to bring it up. I can’t just come out and say, “So what’s going on with you two?” and expect him to pretend like we’re BFFs at a sleepover and spill everything.

That’s not how guys work.

At least in my experience anyway.

Milo wants our destination to be a surprise, so as the van navigates its way into downtown, I try to make small talk, but he’s distracted. He may not be my first choice in this competition, but he’s a nice guy, and I’m not about to spend an evening with him in silence.

“Okay, say whatever’s on your mind. You’re obviously distracted and maybe talking about it will help.”

“I’m fine.” His words are clipped, his lips pressed together as he stares out the window.

“Right. Because when I’m fine, I look like I want to strangle someone just for looking at me the wrong way.”

“It’s nothing, really. Let it go.”

I’m not about to let it go, but he’s not going to open up like a girl would. So I do the only thing I can think that will get his attention and hopefully bring a smile to his face. I play the game by taking his hand in mine and giving it a light squeeze.

He looks down at our laced fingers and stares for a few long beats before squeezing back.

“I’m sorry. You deserve to have a better time tonight.” His voice is laced with sorrow as he bows his head in shame and closes his eyes.