Page 83 of Quarantined
For example, tonight. We don’t have school tomorrow. Our school is closed from Wednesday through next Monday, for Thanksgiving. Tessa really enjoyed the relaxing spa experiences at the Plaza. Hoping to recreate another good day for his wife, Uncle Reese decided to treat Tessa and Mia to another night at the Plaza. As a result, Mia is indisposed tonight. And I don’t have Reid as my buffer.
I tried to stay over at Janeen’s house, but Milo crushed those plans. Her responsible parents called Milo to ensure I can still stay over tonight. Milo politely declined, stating that I forgot about some pre-existing family plans we had. Lies.
And now, here we are. Alone for the first time since his birthday party. Milo is walking them out, telling them to go have a good time. I watch Milo lock the door, as I brace myself for my doom.
Milo looks at me. I don’t have to guess what that look means. It’s been a few days since we had sex. I know he is getting impatient. Eyeing the staircase, I start marching up, intent on locking myself in my room for the rest of the night.
Milo charges behind me, gripping my shoulder as I reach the top of the stairs. Turning me around, Milo gives me a shake. “Where are you going?”
“I-I…,” I start, as panic forms inside me.
“We have to talk, Rave,” Milo says sharply.
“About what?”
“Are you serious? About us, duh! We have been sleeping together, remember?”
“So?” I challenge.
“So?” He sounds incredulous. “What is wrong with you? W-we have been sleeping t-together,” it’s Milo’s turn to stammer. “I’m your first. You gave up your virginity to me. What does all of this mean to you?”
“Milo, whatever happened between us is done.” I manage to struggle out of his grip, mostly because he lets me go. “I can’t change the past. We can only move forward. This, between us,” I wiggle a finger between us “is over.”
“That’s what you think.”
“Whatever.” I try to skate past him, but Milo blocks me, grabbing my waist. “Let me go,” I try to shake him off.
“Why should I?”
“Because I know what you want. And I refuse to give in.”
“What I want, or what we both want?” Milo deadpans.
“Please stop.”
“Why can’t you just admit that you want me too?”
I roll my eyes and jerk out of his hold. My patience is running thin. “You seem awfully fixated on a short-lived relationship, based on meaningless sex.”
“And you seem awfully quick to forget about it.” Milo glares at me. Then he sighs, as if in defeat. “Look, Rave, if you were dissatisfied about the extent of our relationship, I can do better. We can have whatever kind of relationship that makes you comfortable. Do you want to be my girlfriend? Do you want to tell people about us? Tell me what it's going to take. Just talk to me.”
Milo looks so hurt that my heart squeezes in a way I can’t explain. But I refuse to veer off course. I don't trust him anymore. He walked out on me, ignored me, made me feel left out. Once he came back, all he wanted to do was have sex with me, despite me saying no multiple times.
I didn’t believe him for a second when he said that he loved me. He is full of shit. You don't do those things to someone you love. This is all about his damn ego. He is attracted to me, and I burned him. He doesn't know how to handle rejection.
But his ego is not my problem. Not anymore. I don't want to be his stupid girlfriend. And I don't want anyone knowing about us. I just want to keep my promise to Mia, and I want this nightmare to end.
“Milo,” I say quietly, “I am sorry if you thought what we had together meant more…,” I pause to gauge his reaction. I have to be careful. As angry as I am at Milo, he has been volatile and unpredictable. I have to deal with him diplomatically.
“But, we have to call it as it is. We had a fling based on sex. It was misplaced feelings for both of us. Temporary oblivion. That's all it was. We have to move on.”
Milo smirks, shocking the hell out of me. “Are you convincing yourself or me?”
My anger returns full force. The little bit of diplomacy I had left is gone. “Your ego is bruised right now. That’s why you are acting like this.”
Milo’s expression doesn’t change; angry, determined, resonating with sexual desire. He grabs my elbow, fingers flexing to the point of being painful.
“Stop acting so innocent, Raven,” Milo hisses. “You came on to me just as many times. You reciprocated too.”
