Out of Character (True Colors 2)

“Thanks.” My hand hit the edge of one of the cards. Crap. Bruno had left both the cards and the check behind. “Can you keep this safe? I’m not taking it back. No matter what Bruno thinks of me selling the car, I still want to pay him back.”

“You already have.” Standing, she kissed my head. “Now, just be patient. Give him time.”

But it felt like time was the one thing we didn’t have. The party was tomorrow. Bruno only had a short visit. And then he’d be off, sent on a mission to some far-off place. I had a narrow window to make things right with him, and it was rapidly closing.

Chapter Forty-One

Jasper

“I’m not ready.” Milo made no move to open the car door. I’d had to park down the street from his mom’s apartment complex, and that was probably a good thing as no one could look out the window and see us sitting here. Milo’s back was broom-handle straight.

“We can stay right here.” I patted his thigh. He looked nice, hair all tamed with product, and khakis and a button-down shirt that had both seen an iron recently. Anywhere else and I’d be enjoying dressed-up Milo, but we’d talked late into the night last night about how things with Bruno did not go as he’d hoped. And now dread rolled off him in thick waves, like choppy surf, and it sucked that I couldn’t figure out what would help. “As long as you need.”

“Just a minute maybe.” Eyes closed, he breathed in and out slowly, and I pulled out my phone, scrolling messages to give him some space. But then I saw one from Kellan that had me legit gasping.

“Hey. Uh. This is either really cool news or not what you want to hear—”

“What now?” He cracked an eye open.

“You went viral.” I clicked the link Kellan had sent so I could see for myself.

“I went what?”

“Chase’s parents got your picture. And they put it up on their social media as part of their updates on Chase’s health.” I held up my phone so he could see one of the posts. “And now…you’ve got a zillion shares and dozens of people in the comments wanting a drawing like that and wanting to know if you have a website.”

“I don’t have a website.” Milo’s voice was halfway between horror and regret.

“Yet.” Grinning, I winked at him. I wasn’t letting this opportunity pass him by.

“Yet,” he echoed, studying me intently before he smiled too. “I’m totally getting one by bedtime, am I right?”

“You’re not wrong.” I rubbed his arm before gesturing at the nice day outside. “Feeling any more ready?”

“Yeah. No point in staying here until it’s dark.”

“Oh, there’s always a point to being alone in an enclosed space…” I waggled my eyebrows at him.

“Hold that thought for later.” He groaned before opening the car door. “Have a feeling I’m going to need the distraction.”

“Think the professors can spare you for the night?” I bumped shoulders with him as we headed down the sidewalk.

“Definitely. I’ll text them that I’ve got plans to work on a website with you.” His laugh was most welcome after some of the more serious conversations we’d been having lately.

“Among other plans.” I looked him up and down. “I might like this look even more than the toga.”

He chuckled self-consciously at the praise. “Stop making me think about sex.”

“But you’re less nervous now, right?”

“Yeah, I am. Thank you,” he said as we reached the apartment. He took one more big breath before knocking.

“Milo. Jasper.” Milo’s mom opened the door and surprised me with hugs for both of us. “It’s so good to see you again.”

I nodded, but I didn’t return the sentiment. I might have forgiven Milo for being fourteen and confused and scared when he ended our friendship, but I wasn’t entirely over the role his parents had played in our story. Sure, by all accounts she was supporting Milo now, but where had she been back then when Milo desperately needed more people unconditionally on his side? My fists clenched. I’d told him that I didn’t regret our time apart because we’d both had a lot of growing up to do. Which was true. But it was also true that his road could have been a lot easier.

Could still be a lot easier. I wasn’t impressed by Bruno needing to think. And seeing him now, sitting on the couch, flanked by aunts, not looking up to greet Milo, I was similarly not predisposed to like the man. But I was there to support Milo, not make a scene, and I’d follow his lead.

He looked at the cramped living room full of people spilling out onto a little patio, but then shook his head as he sighed and headed down the hall to the kitchen.