Out of Character (True Colors 2)

“I will.” Milo hugged him back before releasing him.

Bruno grabbed a soda and a piece of the cake before turning to me. “Take care of this guy, okay?”

“You don’t have to ask.” I regarded him solemnly, trying to tell him with my eyes that Milo was the most important thing in my life. And maybe he got the message because he nodded sharply before heading back to the living room full of relatives.

“Wow.” Milo gripped the edge of the table hard enough that his knuckles turned white. “That…that was intense.”

I knew him. I’d seen him this shade of pale before. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” He took a shaky breath. I didn’t entirely believe him, and I rubbed his back until he returned to more of a normal color. “Thanks. For being here with me. It…you mean everything to me.”

“Ditto.” I licked my lips. I wasn’t about to kiss him in his mom’s kitchen, but damn, I wanted to. To distract myself, I pulled out two pages I’d printed earlier. “And speaking of going places together…”

His eyes went wide as I handed them over. “The tickets to the launch party?”

“Yeah. You coming, Mr. Viral Celebrity? Still got time for us little people? Alden and Conrad said we can crash at their place after.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” Putting an arm around me, he pulled me close. “It doesn’t matter how many reshares I get on social media. I’m always going to need you. Always.”

“Good.” And then I really did need to kiss him, but he was already on it, a quick brush of his lips across mine. We were going places. Together. The two of us. Bruno not being a complete ass helped, but it was Milo I was truly proud of in that moment. He was the star I wanted to set my internal compass by, the one constant I needed as we ventured forth into the still uncertain future.

Chapter Forty-Two

Milo

“I’m getting awfully fond of this toga.” I admired myself in one of the highly polished windows. The expansive event space hosting the launch party was a beyond-swanky loft, and even the back corner where we were hanging out was modern and glitzy.

“You do look…okay.” Conrad had clearly been about to compliment me on my Neptune outfit, but then thought better of it as his über-serious boyfriend narrowed his eyes. “You look fine. Both of you.”

“Why, thank you.” Jasper adjusted his velvet jacket. No mask, but he looked dapper as ever as the Frog Wizard. The invite had specified that cosplay was encouraged, so we’d opted to go in costume. Conrad’s whole department at Odyssey had decided to go as soldier tokens, so he was in a uniform that called to mind World War I. Alden was in a nice shirt and pants, but no cosplay for him.

“You’re not chilly?” Alden asked me.

“Nah. It’s finally spring. And the costume’s grown on me.” I did a silly twirl just to make Jasper laugh. It felt so good to be here with him and his friends. Forget the exclusiveness of the event. Just making it to this point, that meant something.

“Oh my God, I think I spot another Neptune.” Jasper peered around Conrad.

“What? I’m not unique?” I pretended to pout. “At least I’m the best.”

“Yes, you are.” Jasper patted my face.

“I’d tell you two to get a room, but seeing as you’re crashing on our floor, please don’t get a room.” Conrad laughed and shook his head.

“Don’t worry.” Jasper made a dismissive gesture. “We brought sleeping bags.”

“Somehow I’m not reassured,” Alden replied dryly.

“Zippers are sexy,” I teased. Their tiny apartment was way too small for Jasper and me to do more than hold hands and whisper, but I was still looking forward to those quiet moments alone late at night. The whole launch-party experience was another adventure for us, taking the train into the city together that morning, our first little overnight trip.

“That’s all you.” Jasper gave me an indulgent look, and I almost reconsidered the whole no-fooling-around thing.

“I’m surprised no one’s asked for a pic with you yet.” Conrad stretched.

“The Neptune thing? You said there are others here. Maybe they wear the toga better…”

“Never.” Jasper pretended horror at the notion.

“You’re so loyal.” Conrad chuckled. “No, I meant the whole minor celebrity thing. I wanted to ask you for a drawing of us, but I bet your going rate is increasing by the day.”

“Have you seen the website? You fill out the form, and then the calculator I programmed tells you your approximate wait time.” Jasper was only too pleased to remind us that he’d put all sorts of bells and whistles on the website I hadn’t known I wanted until a few weeks ago.

“Okay, okay. I’ll fill out the form.”

“Nah. Don’t do that. I’ll draw you tomorrow morning. You can trade me those bagels you were talking about and we’ll call it even.”