Chapter 16
Sixteen
My stomach grumbles so hard it wakes me up. The house is quiet, which means everyone is still out, watching Kai’s game. It’s gotta be around midday, maybe a bit later. I look over the back of the couch and see no sign of Milo.
I make my way upstairs and hear narration coming from the TV. I step onto the second-floor landing and find Milo, chilling on the couch with Gandalf reclined beside him.
“Wow, you two look comfy,” I comment.
Milo laughs. “I figured it was okay because he hasn’t fussed.”
I place my hands on my hips and sigh. “Don’t tell me he hasn’t cried while I’ve been asleep. He’s supposed to drive you crazy and then be asleep when I’m up.”
“It’s okay, I’ll look after him today,” Milo says placatingly.
“It’s not fair.” I pout, sitting on the couch beside them. “How come you have the magic touch? Even with just a phone call you put him at ease.”
“I think it’s just dumb luck and good timing.”
I look at the screen and frown. “What the heck are you watching?”
“It’s a documentary on the Mayans. I like finding out how ancient civilizations made things work.”
I blow out a breath. “This’ll put me back to sleep.”
Milo laughs and lifts the remote. “Well, what would you be watching?”
Something with a head-over-heels love story. “Nothing,” I say, flicking my hair over my shoulder. “I’d be crushing it on Shadow Quest.”
Milo groans. “Dang. Kai is always playing that game. I’m so over hearing the guard say, ‘You’ll never pass.’ Kai can’t pass that level, and it’s driving me bonkers.”
I steal the remote from Milo and flip to the channel for the gaming console. “What if I pass the level now and then you won’t hear the same game chatter anymore?”
Milo smirks. “Until he gets stuck on the next level for eternity.”
I boot up the game and sit back with the controller. “I’m here for a few days. Maybe I’ll finish the entire game during my stay.”
“While that’d be hilarious because it’d annoy Kai,” Milo replies, “I doubt my mother will let you anywhere near video games. She’s already said she’ll be on you like a hawk for Maddy’s sake.”
“Boo,” I hiss. “Your mom is such a party pooper.”
A knowing smile graces Milo’s lips, and he sets Gandalf in his carrier.
I shrug. “Let’s see how far we get before she gets home.”
Milo’s eyebrow raises. “You want me to stay and watch?”
I bite my lip, suddenly feeling foolish. “I thought you might, but if it’s too boring…”
Milo grins and settles back on the couch. “No, I’m happy to stay.”
I tap the controller through all the menu options. “Maybe I’ll even teach you how to play.”
Milo snorts. “Because teaching me soccer was such a great success?”
I shrug, a teasing smile tugging my lips. “I need a challenge, and even though Kai finds it so hard, this game isn’t it.”
“Burn.”
I look over at him, and something about him appears different. I’ve never really seen him relaxed on this couch before. Usually, he slinks past to his bedroom, avoiding insults from Kai or the other guys. It’s nice seeing him so chill.
“What?” he asks softly.
I smile and look back at the screen. “Nothing. Just never heard you say burn before.”
“I know, it was weird,” he says jokingly. “But it felt appropriate.”
I nod as the level begins. “Very appropriate.”
My thumbs tap buttons from muscle memory.
I’m only good at this game because I waste time playing at Kai’s.
We crash on the couch and play video games until we’re comatose.
At home, however, I endlessly stream rom-coms to pass time.
The boys assume I spend that time still playing, gaining skills, and that’s why I beat them.
If they had any idea how little I play outside of this house, they’d be as ragey as Camila.
No boy likes admitting a girl is way better than them, especially when she practices less. No wonder they think of me as one of the boys. It’s less of a threat to their manhoods. I guess that’s why I’m not attracted to any of my friends. That kind of thinking isn’t exactly attractive.
I hold the controller out to Milo. “Come on, you give it a try.”
He holds his hands up like the controller is a gun. “No way. I’ll suck at it and ruin your progress.”
“I just passed a save point,” I reply, swirling the controller. “You literally can’t mess up.”
Milo gives me an uneasy look. “I dunno. I’m really fine with just watching you.”
“Go on,” I encourage. “It’ll give me some entertainment. I don’t have any of the other guys around to poke fun at.”
Milo huffs. “So you just want to tease me?”
I sit back, composing myself. “No, I don't want to tease you. I genuinely think you’ll find it fun.”
Milo stares into my eyes and a rush of goosebumps fly down my arms.
He takes the controller and his fingers brush past mine, sending a thrilling spark inside me.
“Okay, I'll try,” he says, looking over the controller. “So, what buttons do I press?”
I quickly go over the controls and the game mission. As Milo moves the character around the environment, I give him pointers and tell him what to look for up ahead.
It takes so much strength to hold back my laughter the third time his character respawns after dying.
“It shouldn’t be this easy to fall into those pits,” Milo complains, pointing the controller at the screen.
“Mhmm,” I mumble, rubbing my lips to hold back the laugh.
Milo looks at me and rolls his eyes. “Oh my gosh, just let it out. You look like you’re gonna burst.”
I swallow hard and shake my head. “Nope, I’m good.”
“Well, what am I doing wrong? How can I avoid those pits to hell?”
I hold up my hands like the answer should be obvious. “Walk around them.”
Milo groans. “But then there are spikes and hanging swords in the way. And if I go left, there’s an ogre-looking-thing that wants to kill me with an ax.”
“You do realize you need skills to play video games,” I say. “It takes practice just like everything else.”
“I have no idea how you don’t give up after one try. If it were my console, it’d already be in the trash.”
“Geez, such a defeatist.” I click my tongue. “What would you say to me if I threatened to throw my copy of King Lear in the trash?”
Milo huffs. “To take a breath and keep working at it.”
I lean closer and pat his upper arm. “You haven’t let me give up yet.”
Milo looks down at my hand, and I notice his Adam’s apple bob. When his hazel eyes look into mine, an electric charge hums between us. I should lift my hand off him, but I seem unable. Or unwilling.
“I won’t let you because every day I see you improving.”
When my lingering hand starts squeezing his arm, I pry myself away. “Sorry,” I breathe.
Milo smiles. “Don’t be.”
My eyes haven’t shifted from his eyes. I don’t know if it’s his glasses or not, but I swear Milo’s eyes are more green than Kai’s.
I thought identical twins would have the same colored eyes.
But maybe it’s a symptom of Kai taking up all the room in the womb.
I’m still so annoyed about Kai doing that.
Still, to this day, Kai takes up most of the space in their lives.
That’s why it’s so rare to see Milo chilling in this living room.
Milo’s lips part, maybe to say something, maybe to…
“Ahhh!” the video game character screams, pulling our attention to the TV screen. We witness the last moments of an assassin elf swinging his blade.
“Oh man,” Milo laughs, slumping against the couch. “Even when I’m not paying attention, I manage to kill my character.”
And at that, any hope of keeping my laughter to myself disappears. A barrelful leaps out of me, forcing me to hold my gut as I fold in on myself.
Milo joins in laughing, swiping a hand under his glasses to wipe his eyes. His shoulders jiggle as he laughs and I can’t help thinking how dang cute his smile looks.
As whispered laughter hiccups out of him, Milo attempts another try.
My eyes shift back and forth from the screen and Milo.
There’s determination in his eyes and his tongue slightly pokes out as he goes for it.
His character runs past two pitfalls and avoids a row of falling swords.
And just when he gets further than he’d ever gotten, a trap door swallows him whole.
Milo drops the controller and we both burst into thunderous laughter.
“Oh my gosh,” I say, straining for breath as I keel over giggling, “you have the worst video game luck.”
Milo wheezes, planting a hand over his chest, and his glasses slide down his nose. “I officially give up.”
I giggle and pat his knee. “I think that’s fair. You gave it your all.”
Milo sniggers and places his hand over mine. “Thanks for not saying I just suck.”
I bite my lip and soak up the warmth from his hand. When he releases me, I pull my hand to my lap and smile. “You didn’t suck.”
Heavy footsteps sound up the stairs. Kai walks onto the landing, dumping his bag with a huff. Grass stains cover his soccer uniform and his chest heaves. He looks at the TV screen and then back at us.
“What the hell, James?” Kai asks, scrutinizing us. “You don’t show at my game, but you’re playing Shadow Quest with him?”
“What’s the big deal?” I ask, sitting taller.
“I thought you were supposed to be studying,” Kai says. “If you wanted to slack off, why weren’t you hanging with me?”
“Give me a break,” I mutter and gesture at Gandalf. “This thing kept me up all night.”
“Ever heard of an off switch?” Kai argues.
“It doesn’t turn off, genius,” Milo scolds.
Kai rolls his eyes and swats a hand at his brother. “Don’t you start with me.”
After Kai marches into his room, shutting the door behind him, I whisper, “He’s in a mood. They must’ve lost.”
“That would be a good excuse for his grouchiness,” Milo replies. “But he’s always like that with me.”
“Everyone must’ve come home while we were laughing. I haven’t seen your grandparents since they’ve been here.” I get off the couch. “I’m heading downstairs.”
Milo follows, carrying the baby carrier. I fly down the stairs, eagerly outpacing him.
“Oh, Jamie!” Grandma Nelson says excitedly, throwing her arms toward me. “Hello, sweetheart. We’ve missed you.”
I rush into her arms, giving her a hug. “I’ve missed you too.”
“We were worried something had gone wrong with Maddy’s trip when we saw her car out front,” Mrs. Nelson says, carrying a tray with a jug of coffee and a set of mugs.
“She said she’s sorry for leaving the car here,” I reply. “Her boyfriend got held up. They ran out of time to drop me off before heading toward the city. The car key is on the counter if you want to move it.”
Mr. Nelson waves a hand. “It’s fine where it is. Our cars fit in the garage, so it’s no trouble.”
“Oh my gosh,” Mrs. Nelson says with a laugh, placing the tray on the coffee table. “Is this the baby?”
She holds a hand over her growing grin as she peers over the baby carrier. Milo sets it on the couch and gives an embarrassed smirk.
“Wow, it is lifelike,” Mr. Nelson remarks.
“In your day, they gave you a sack of flour to look after,” Grandpa Nelson says. “Now the kids have to deal with something that cries.”
Grandma Nelson curls an arm around Milo’s arm. “Does it eat and go potty too?”
Milo nods. “Yes, but it’s simulated. There’s no actual food or mess.”
“He does fart and burp though,” I add. “He can be a stinky little baby.”
The parents and grandparents all laugh, delighted at the thought of the fake baby emitting nasty gasses.
As everyone takes a seat amongst the couches and armchairs, I ask, “So, how was Kai’s game?”
“It was rough,” Mrs. Nelson says through a tight expression. “They lost three to one. Kai took it pretty hard.”
I look over my shoulder at the stairs. “I should go talk to him.”
“Give him some time to shower and cool off,” Mr. Nelson suggests. “He was pretty agitated during the drive home.”
“Are you hungry, Jamie?” Mrs. Nelson asks. “There are sandwiches on the kitchen counter. Go help yourself.”
My gut spasms as I walk into the kitchen. Now it’s not only hunger plaguing me. Guilt eats away at me because I didn’t ask Kai how he was when he walked upstairs. I was having so much fun with Milo. Kai’s game wasn’t a priority.
Milo.
A new feeling washes through me. Milo had me laughing so hard. I relive the moment his hand slid over mine. I swear, he looked at me as if he were going to kiss me. At least that’s how characters in movies act before a first kiss.
I walk back toward the living room with a half-eaten sandwich, and my eyes drift to Milo. He’s busy talking with his grandpa.
Did he want to kiss me? Did he feel the same surge of energy I felt?
And why did I feel that way? Why do I keep fantasizing about him?
I don’t want to kiss Milo. Do I?
“Have you settled into your room, Jamie?” Mrs. Nelson asks. “Milo said he’d have it ready for you when we left this morning.”
“Ah no, actually,” I reply, swallowing a bite. “I haven’t gotten that far yet.”
Grandma Nelson pats my back. “Sorry we took your usual room, dear.”
I giggle. “That’s okay. You got to it first.”
Gandalf fusses in his carrier, and ten seconds later, lets out a shrill cry.
“Good lord,” Grandpa Nelson blurts. “That thing’s got some lungs on him.”
I finish my sandwich and move toward Gandalf. “It means it’s bottle time.”
Milo lifts the carrier before I get to it. “His bag is still upstairs.”
“Milo, make sure you get Jamie comfortable in your bedroom while you’re upstairs,” Mrs. Nelson says. “I don’t want her feeling awkward during her stay.”
“Yes, Mom,” Milo mutters. “I already took her bags up. It’s fine.”
I smile and nod. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. See you all later. Hopefully, he’ll sleep after this.”
Grandpa Nelson chuckles to himself. “Will it be farting and burping time next?”
Milo and I both let out a groan, which sends the parentals into hysterics. We wave goodbye and head back upstairs.
“Shall we feed him in my bedroom?” Milo asks. “Or, your bedroom, I guess.”
“Let’s call it your bedroom. I don’t want to feel like I’m stealing your space.”
Milo smirks. “You kinda are, though. Anyway, I’ll show you your space.”