Page 24 of Kissing Flynn

“Same,” I say quietly, biting my lip. “What do you think it means?”

“No clue. Any thoughts?” Flynn says on a sigh, and before I can respond, my phone starts to ring.

Grabbing it from the bed, I see it’s a video call from my brother. I look up to meet Flynn’s eyes as I turn the device around so he can see the screen.

“Answer it. I’ll stay out of sight.”

I nod as I swing the phone back around to face me and tap the screen to take the call. “Hey, Milo.”

“Hey, Max,” he says, and my gaze narrows at the sight of him.

He looks kind of sweaty and visibly twitchy, like he’s sick or something. He quickly swipes a hand across his brow, and I cock my head.

“What’s the matter?”

“I have…uh…something I need to tell you.”

I have to force myself not to look past the phone at Flynn. If Milo has something personal to tell me, I shouldn’t let Flynn eavesdrop on the call. As if he senses my thoughts, I see Flynn wave in my peripheral vision just before he turns to head back into his own room.

He freezes, however, when Milo adds, “It’s about Flynn…and you.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask as Flynn does an about-face and walks closer.

“Just let me get this out, okay?” he pleads, and I give him a slow nod. “I lied to you. And to Flynn. I lied to both of you.”

“About what, Milo? You’re not making any sense,” I say even though I just agreed to let him speak his piece.

“That night,” he says on a sigh. “Back in college when I, you know, caught you two on the couch together.”

I narrow my eyes again and wait. Where exactly is this going? And what did he lie about?

“I freaked out, okay? I was half-drunk, half-asleep, and out of my mind when I saw…what I saw. As soon as I got you out of there, I punched Flynn in the face.”

“You did what?” I shout, unable to hold my tongue.

“I know, okay? I was an asshole. Please let me finish.”

Gritting my teeth, I nod, and I can’t help but glance up at Flynn, who’s standing in front of me with rigid posture and a confused expression. I look back at the screen as Milo starts talking again.

“Flynn panicked, and while he did tell me that it was the worst mistake of his life, I knew he was only placating me. It was obvious he was as into you as you were into him. So I panicked and lied, telling him you said you were drunk, you only kissed him to fuck with me, and it meant nothing.”

I feel the blood drain from my face as I look back at Flynn, who’s now wearing a tortured expression. Looking back at the phone, I fight the threat of tears welling in my eyes.

“Milo,” I whisper, the word soaked with endless disappointment.

“I’m so sorry, Max,” he says, his voice broken as his own emotion wells over. “I was freaking out thinking you two would couple up and leave me behind. It was selfish and immature, and by the time I came to my senses, we’d graduated, you’d already gone your separate ways, and everyone seemed okay. And I was afraid to tell you the truth and risk losing you both, anyway.”

“So why tell me now?” I grit out between clenched teeth, my words dripping with anger.

“Because for whatever reason, you two have been thrown back together, and I just wanted you to hear it from me before you figured it out on your own.”

When I don’t respond, Milo’s head drops. He reaches up to sweep a finger beneath each of his eyes before lifting his head again.

“I really am sorry. You have every right to hate me, but I hope you’ll forgive me, someday.” He sniffs, then nods his head. “I’ll give you all the time you need. And now, I need to call Flynn.”

“No need,” Flynn says, and my own head jerks up to meet his eyes.

“He’s there?” Milo asks, his complexion going white. He shakes his head as if to clear it, then adds in a louder voice, “Flynn, I’m sorry, brother. I hope we can work this out.”

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