“Excellent work on this set. I hear great things from your department head,” she enthused, making Conrad turn even more pink as he made introductions for the rest of us. She had a broad smile that seemed especially wide for Jasper. “So nice to meet you in person. Excellent costume choice.”
“It’s my favorite character.” Light danced in his eyes. He might be good at playing it cool during a game, but he was clearly starstruck with the Odyssey creator, and it was cute. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, and I was so happy for him that I had to resist the impulse to cheer.
“I saw the Gamer Grandpa episode with the diabolical gambit using quick change. It might be my favorite one yet, although I liked last week’s on defending against Reaper decks a great deal.” She spoke authoritatively, and it was entirely possible that she’d seen more episodes than I had. Which was funny because I got good boyfriend points every time I attended a taping or watched the finished product.
“Thanks. That gambit…it’s useful.” Jasper rubbed his neck as if he were remembering his match with George.
“Graduation must be approaching for you, right?” She had a thoughtful expression, and my pulse sped up for Jasper, who didn’t look nearly as eager as I felt.
“Yeah.”
“Excellent. Shall I have Marsha put you on my schedule for a call Monday morning? I want to discuss your future and how Odyssey might fit in it.”
Jasper shot me a quick look, face more tense than I expected considering that this was what he’d been both wanting and debating all year. He’d be a fool not to hear her out, and my guy was definitely not a fool. I nodded at him, and maybe that was he was waiting for because he exhaled. “That would be good. Thank you.”
“Fabulous. I see some more people I need to say hello to, so you all take care.”
Goodbyes were said all around, and then Conrad decided he wanted a drink refill.
“Come keep me company in line,” he said to Alden, casting a glance at Jasper and me. He was a perceptive guy, and undoubtedly he’d picked up on my burning need to get Jasper alone.
As soon as they were out of earshot, I turned toward him. “What was that hesitation? That was the connection you wanted to make, right? The whole point of this party?”
“Yeah. I guess it was. But I don’t want to leave—”
“Your family. I know. But trust me, they want this for you too. I bet April and your mom will visit, and you can take the train on weekends and—”
“You. I was going to say you. I don’t want to leave you.”
“Oh.” I took a step back, hitting a low bench facing the window. I sank down, and he followed, sitting close enough that our knees touched.
“My family will deal. And chances are good that Kellan will end up with a Broadway job. We can do cosplay at a kids’ hospital here in the city maybe. I’m less worried about leaving my life behind anymore. Except you. I don’t want to leave you.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” I said, echoing Bruno’s words. Even though my stomach was wobbling, I tried to smile at him. This might be the most serious moment in my life, and all around us the party swirled, glasses clinking, costumes swishing, but all I could see was him.
“I’m not sure that visits are going to be enough.” He took my hand.
“Me either.” I squeezed him back. “But this is the opportunity you have to take.”
“Maybe. But I was tempted to tell her that we’re a package deal. Dynamic duo. Two-for-one special.”
I flashed back to the Odyssey artist at the tournament in Philly, and I wanted that. Wanted the lines and the iconic cards with my art. Wanted to work with Jasper, make something enduring. A legacy.
“Someday. I want to get better first. Wasn’t that you saying I need to build my empire?”
“Better? You mean the art school idea?”
I nodded. “Bruno was serious about me using the car money to help with that. And you’re not the only one who can use Google. Professor Herrera has been helping me research schools. He says I need to dream bigger than an online course or some community college classes.”
Somehow, I still hadn’t moved out of the professors’ guest room. The group house hadn’t worked out, which was fine because the box sorting was an epic project. Then there was the furniture moving. And the dining room needed painting. That made the living room clash, so it got a fresh look too. Now, it was spring and there was planting to do. Stolen moments in Jasper’s dorm room aside, I’d never been as happy living somewhere. I’d spent the last few years feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere. And now I did. I belonged with Jasper and everything that went along with that.
“You should listen to the professor.” Jasper’s expression was speculative. “What are you thinking?”
I fished my phone out of the little pocket Kellan had thoughtfully included in the toga. “This.”
Jasper whistled as he considered the screenshot I’d saved of a school here in the city. “I don’t know art, but I’m pretty sure that’s—”
“A top ten program. Number five for illustration.” The hand holding my phone wavered right along with my stomach. “It takes a portfolio to get in, not test scores. There’s a whole section about help for learning differences too. And there are scholarships, but it’s still a major reach—”
“No, it’s not. You’re ridiculously talented. I believe in you.” He pulled me close like we were alone and sharing these dreams under the covers in his room. A few months ago, being snuggled up with another guy at a big, fancy event like this would have seemed impossible, but now here we were and anything, absolutely anything, seemed possible.
“And I believe in you. Take the Odyssey job. Dream big. And I will too.”
“You’re going to apply?” A slow smile crept across Jasper’s face.
“Pretty sure the professors will be disappointed if I don’t.” We’d made lists. And then the lists had sublists because I didn’t do great with broad concepts. Little goals and concrete tasks were easier, so Professor Herrera broke it down for me, exactly what had to go in the portfolio. Professor Tuttle took careful notes that I could later review at my own pace. “Deadline’s coming up.”
“When were you going to tell me?” Jasper tilted his head, considering me with cautious eyes. Behind us, someone laughed as there was an announcement over the loudspeaker, but no card reveal or prize package could steal my attention away from those eyes.
“Now. When you decided to go for the Odyssey thing. I don’t want to be the only reason you take it, though. If you truly want to stay close to home, I’ll look at local programs. Keep my job. But my supervisor says they might have hours for me if I put in for a transfer to one of the city locations. Like I said, you’re not getting rid of me so easily.”
“Dynamic duo?” He offered me a fist bump. What I really wanted was a kiss, but I’d take it.
“Always.” I bumped him back, then captured his hand again in mine.
“Think you might need a roommate if—when—they accept you?” Jasper asked, brain going to the same place mine had as soon as I’d seen the pictures of the school. “It’s not too far from Conrad and Alden.”
“I’m not unaware of that fact. And yeah. You asking me if we can live together?” I pretended to need to think about this concept, deliberately wrinkling my forehead.
“Yeah.” Jasper sounded a little wary now.
“I dunno.” I shrugged, enjoying this far more than I should have. “That’s a pretty big commitment—”
“I love you.” Jasper blurted it out, eyes going wide, like he was both pleased and surprised by himself. And a little worried. Which he didn’t need to be, because my entire body thrilled to those words.
“Well. There is that.” Somehow I managed to play it cool, get another smile out of him.
“I know I haven’t said it. But I’ve
meant it.”
“I know.” And I did. I’d said it a few times, both joking and serious, and he still hadn’t. But I’d known. Every kiss. Every late-night chat. Every long look and every adventure. But I still had to tease. “And not just because you want student-priced housing?”
“Oh, I’m totally hitching my star to yours,” he teased right back, eyes sparkling and not only from the lights.
“You’re a goof.” My throat was tight.
“And you—”
“Love you back. Yeah. Completely. I love you too.” This time felt more real than the other times I’d said it, because he’d said it back and it meant something. And we had the start of a plan for the future. All those big dreams meant nothing if there wasn’t love to back them up, and I’d known there was, but hearing him say it was a rush, a sudden kick of adrenaline making me even more certain that this was the right path for me. For us.
He leaned in, giving me plenty of time to turn away, but no way was I going to. Party? Who cared? Jasper loved me and he wanted to kiss me right here and so we would. There was a low whoop. Might have been Conrad. I still didn’t care until Jasper deepened the kiss and I had to break away, laughing.
“Hey, now, I’m wearing a toga. None of that.”
“You’re my favorite prince.” He trailed his fingers down my smooth face. I’d done the shave-and-haircut thing for the event, wanting everything perfect for tonight. For him.
“Better be your only prince,” I growled.
“Only one I’m ever going to want,” he shot back before smiling tenderly.
“Promise?”
“Always.”
I caught sight of us in the big window, Prince Neptune and the Frog Wizard, having a moment. We were as cute as our characters. But we were also Jasper and Milo, two guys in love. Two guys meant to be together, meant to be here in this place, at this time, no matter what had gone before us. I wasn’t ever going to stop regretting high school, but when I saw us side by side like this, what I saw was my future, not my past. Jasper wanted us to dream big. And I did too, but I also knew that no matter how far we went, nothing was ever going to rival that feeling in my chest when he said he loved me.
“Say it again,” I whispered.
“I love you.” His eyes met mine in the reflection. Yup. Always and forever, this was right where I was supposed to be.
Chapter Forty-Three
Jasper
August
“Your prince is here,” Kellan announced loudly as he joined us on the patio, plunking down a six-pack of good beer and a tray of cookies. He was looking tan and shaggy after his stint at a summer stock production, and Jasmine was hanging on his arm in a way that showed off the engagement rock she’d gotten graduation weekend.
“Ha. Very funny. My prince and I came together.” I gestured at Milo who was across the table from me in the professors’ backyard, which was rapidly filling up with all our friends.
“We do that now.” Leaning back in his lawn chair, Milo nodded archly.
“Dude. We were on the same train.” Conrad rolled his eyes at both of us, an impressive feat. “If you say the words ‘our place’ or ‘together’ one more time, I’m going to die of sugar overload.”
“Was that not you last fall doing the exact same thing?” I asked pointedly because I still remembered how much it had sucked when he’d been all in love with Alden on their visits and I’d been oh-so-very single.
“It was,” Conrad agreed, exchanging some sort of private message with Alden.
“It maybe still is.” Alden gave a rare smile. He seemed a little more relaxed than usual, enjoying the last weekend before school started for him—his first year teaching at a junior high near where he and Conrad lived.
“I’m just saying that the unbearable cuteness that is you two hipster wannabes—”
“He called me a hipster.” Milo faked indignation.
“You’re an art student in Brooklyn who does cosplay on weekends. Were you thinking you still passed as a jock?” Kellan laughed and everyone joined in, including Milo, but then he got quiet.
“No. I guess not,” he said softly. And it was true that he didn’t look nearly as sporty these days. His hair was bushier and he’d forgotten to shave again. We’d been late getting ready to leave our tiny student housing near the art college campus for reasons, so he was in an Odyssey shirt someone had thrust at him last time he visited me at work and old shorts. His leg scars were more faded now, and he could comfortably wear chunky leather sandals for more than short cosplay stints.
“You’ll always be my jock,” I said fondly to him. And that was also true—he still smelled deliciously of sporty aftershave and I still got to hear way too much about what European soccer players got paid and which teams had the best chance at a World Cup. And sometimes he’d lift weights and get all sweaty and… Yeah. Still my jock. Swoon.
“If you want to kick the soccer ball around later, we can do that,” Conrad offered. Between his asthma and Milo’s leg, it would likely be a low-key thing, but they’d done that a couple of times in the park when we’d met halfway between our neighborhoods. “Let Alden play Jasper for the game episode.”
Milo stretched, flexing his leg out in front of him. “I’ve got a couple of kicks in me.”
“I might join you guys, work off this beer.” Kellan rubbed his stomach. Milo hadn’t had a drink since winter. We didn’t really talk about it that often, but I added it to the list of things I was super proud about for him.
“I can feel it. Today I’m going to win against Alden.” I pumped both fists like a boxer promising victory.
“Not likely.” Alden spoke factually, not the sort of trash talk that Conrad and I excelled at. And probably also literally because he usually did win, whether we were playing casually at their apartment or with Professor Tuttle for the show.
“I believe in you.” Milo saluted me with his water glass.
“Thanks.”
“Who needs more food?” Professor Herrera brought over a big platter of sausages and grilled vegetables, and Milo was first to leap up to help him arrange the food, as always. Thanks to Milo, I already knew the location of every specialty grocery store near us as well as exactly what size chicken our tiny oven would hold.
“I’m stuffed. But I’ll help with dishes,” Milo said, moving so Professor Herrera could pull up a chair. “And what’s the deal with the flyer on the fridge? You looking to replace me so soon?”
“You? You’re irreplaceable.” Professor Herrera gave him a fond smile.
“I agree.” My loyalty got a round of groans from everyone else at the table who was tired of us being so adorable. They could just deal with us being so in love. I’d waited forever for something like this, and I wasn’t wasting it.
“Actually, we enjoyed having Milo so much that we’ve decided to add a renter or two this fall.” Professor Tuttle tapped his cane against the patio.
“The Gamer Grandpa expansion pack. I dig it.” Kellan sat back in his chair with one of the sausages in a roll we’d brought with us from the city.
“They don’t have to game.” Professor Herrera laughed. His continual bid to get Professor Tuttle interested in different hobbies had been the source of great stories when Milo had been living with them in the spring.
“They don’t?” Conrad faked horror.
“They will learn,” I said all ominously to big laughs.
“Goof.” Coming around the table with his empty cup, Milo dropped a kiss on my head.
“You love me.” Tipping back in my chair, I gazed up at him.
“I do.” His eyes were as serious as ever about that. He could joke a lot more easily now, but never about that. And I never got tired of hearing it, either. “Now go win your game for me.”
“Yes, dear.” I pretended an obedience we all knew I’d never reach.
/> “Are you staying here or at Jasper’s parents’ place?” Jasmine asked as she grabbed one of the cookies.
“Jasper’s mom may not let him out of her clutches the rest of the weekend,” Milo groaned as he rested against a planter near me. He could pretend irritation all he wanted, but personally, I couldn’t wait to be alone in my old room together. I’d waited almost a decade to kiss Milo Lionetti in there, and I was going to enjoy the opportunity. Quietly. Very, very quietly because April still delighted in teasing us. Mom, however, had adapted to us being together quite well, making it her life’s mission to keep Milo supplied with recipes and food storage ideas.
“And Milo’s mom?” Jasmine’s ring caught the sunlight again. I wanted one. Not the cookie. The ring. Maybe with less glitz. Someday. Timing wasn’t there yet. But someday.
“Brunch on Sunday,” Milo answered. Between our two moms, we were going to be so stuffed when we rolled back into Brooklyn Monday. But happy. We’d be happy. “We’ll see her again in two weeks when Bruno’s in town as well.”
“And I’m going to win against him too,” I announced. Bruno was a damn good player. Ruthless. But I’d snuck in a few wins against him on his visits. He said that when we went to Virginia to see his base that he might let me play against some actual SEALs. I couldn’t wait.
“You could start by winning against me,” Alden reminded me.
“Oh. My. God. Make Bruno play Alden.” Kellan gestured like his head just exploded at the idea.
“Or Conrad. I can play, too, you know. Just a bit.” Conrad gave him a look, then laughed.
“Just a bit.” Alden arched an eyebrow.
“Do you guys play all day at work?” Kellan asked as he took more food. “Like, what does a hard day at the office look like for you guys? ‘Oh, I lost to Conrad all day again, someone feel sorry for me and rub my feet’. Because I might need a career change.”
“Says the guy with three interviews next week for Broadway shows.” I flicked a piece of ice at him. Actually, I’d never in my life worked harder than I had that summer for Odyssey. I loved it. But it was still work. Meetings. Forms. Reports. Boring stuff. But I also got to see one of my best friends most days, so it was still winning.
Out of Character Page 29
