Out of Character (True Colors 2)

“Exactly like that.” I beamed at him while contemplating the wisdom of yanking him back into a stall for a much more thorough kiss.

Undoubtedly reading my mind, Milo gave an exaggerated regretful sigh. “Better lead me to my kingdom.”

“Dork.” I bumped shoulders with him as we made our way out of the restroom and toward the waiting area where we were meeting everyone else as usual.

“You love it.”

“Yeah.” I did love this light and easy place we’d found ourselves, but the mere mention of the l-word had my muscles tensing. And I didn’t have time to dwell on why that was, not with Kellan already coming over to greet us. He had a new costume, this one an elf druid. While I appreciated the artistry, he looked a bit like a hairy green beetle. I hid a smile by rearranging my bags.

“Hey, my dudes.” Kellan had a big smile and hearty handshake for Milo, who had apparently earned his favor on Saturday night. “Tell me about the hunt.”

“It was a success.” Milo’s unabashed happiness made my shoulders lift even before he added, “Jasper is brilliant.”

“You weren’t so bad yourself.” My tone was way too fond, but I was too happy to keep it cool.

“You guys are ador—”

“Made it.” April came rushing up, and all of a sudden, I cared way more about my tone. April and my mom didn’t need to hear Milo and me being overly friendly or see Kellan teasing us about it.

“Okay, let’s go.” I hurried us along the corridor before any other banter could lead to uncomfortable questions and teasing. As it was, I felt my mom’s eyes on the back of my head. I’d been avoiding her for days because I wasn’t ready for a lecture but also didn’t want to outright lie about how I was spending my time these days. I was an adult and I needed some space to sort out my own thoughts about Milo without her overprotectiveness entering into an already complex equation.

“Hey, Jasper.” Natalie, the attendant, welcomed us to the lounge as we got set up. I carried the deck bag to the back table, not terribly surprised when my mom followed me. I was asking her about her day while unzipping the bag when Milo came over, his mouth a thin white line.

“There’s no Chase.” His whisper was urgent and stricken. “Did he…”

“Let me find out.” I patted his arm before I could think better of it, and I didn’t miss my mom’s raised eyebrow.

“Do you know what happened with Chase?” I asked Natalie, who was nearby, helping a little girl navigate with an IV on a pole. This wouldn’t be the first time we’d lost a patient who was a regular. Loss was a part of this gig, and I remained profoundly grateful that April was still with us. I mentally crossed everything I had that Chase was okay.

“Discharged.” Mercifully, Natalie had a wide smile for me. “He finished this latest course of treatment and was strong enough to send home.”

“Thank goodness.” I had to briefly shut my eyes against my sudden wave of emotions. I turned to return to Milo, but he was right behind me, eyes shining. Damn. He really did care.

“Do you have the drawing you did for them?” I asked him.

“Yeah.” Glancing around, he withdrew a folder from his backpack. His reluctance to hand it over to me was palpable, especially since we had more of an audience than I’d thought. Still, though, I couldn’t resist opening the folder. The full drawing he’d done from his previous sketch was nothing short of stunning.

“Oh, let me see.” Natalie peered over my arm, and my mom along with a few others had wandered over too. Milo was turning ten shades of pink with all the attention, but everyone was murmuring well-deserved praise for him. I wanted him to believe in his talent even half as much I did.

“That’s so beautiful. Could you do one for us?” The mom of the girl with the IV had tears in her eyes. “I can pay.”

“I don’t need money,” Milo said even though he probably did. He pulled out a bigger sketchbook than his usual pocket one and a case with some pencils. “I could work on it while she plays the game with someone, if that’s okay?”

“Totally.” My whole body buzzed with pride in Milo, warmth spreading outward from my chest.

“I can’t wait.” The mom followed Milo and the girl to a table with Kellan, who was already setting up for a game.

“Can you get this to Chase’s family?” I asked my mom as I carefully put the drawing back in its folder.

“Yes, of course.” She sounded distracted, and her gaze was locked on Milo who was deep in concentration, pencil flying over his sketchbook while the girl laughed at something Kellan said. “I had no idea he was that talented. His mother never mentioned it.”