I move to the bedroom door, and Milo comes into view from the hall, holding a wadded-up blanket. I smile on my approach, assuming Alfie is inside.
“Is he nice and toasty now?” I ask.
Milo smiles, entering the bedroom while cuddling the blanketed cat. He’s changed into a fresh sweatshirt. I guess holding a wet, muddy cat messed up his hoodie. “I gave him a bath in the laundry sink. He didn’t love it, but he’s clean and warm now.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
Milo sighs, shaking his head in awe. “I still can’t believe what you went through to save him. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you properly.”
“I was already behind, considering how much you’ve helped me with school,” I reply. “Let’s call it even.”
Milo's expression grows serious. “I am so sorry for ignoring you. It was really uncool.”
I look away to hide the hurt. “It’s fine. You were upset. I get it.”
Milo hooks a finger under my chin, swinging my face back to him. “I’m really sorry. I never should’ve done it. I know you didn’t mean to do it.”
“You have him back now. That’s all that matters.”
Milo sets Alfie on the bed. “I was just thinking about him and took it out on you. I’m so mad at myself for putting a wedge between us. I never wanted to do that.”
“Neither did I,” I say, pulling the robe tighter as I shiver within. “I felt like the stupid one for letting Alfie out. I made the rift between us, and I wanted to fix it.”
Milo chuckles. “Well, you sure did. You’re such a fighter, Jamie. That’s why I know you’ll get through everything. You’re really strong.”
I hook my pinky around his. “I don’t want to do anything that causes us to stop talking. It broke my heart to know I’d hurt you.”
His hand smooths over my hair, and he tucks a loose piece behind my ear. “It was the situation, not you.”
I can’t help frowning. “You couldn’t even look at me.”
“Well, I guess…” Milo pulls away, turning a slight shade of green.
“What?”
He blows out a breath, rubbing behind his neck. “It was right after I saw you with Kai.”
My stomach somersaults. After the high of finding Alfie, all the ugliness of my connection with Coach had disappeared from my mind. Now, all the hurt and confusion come tumbling back down.
“What were you two talking about?”
I look away, fighting the urge to heave. I scrunch my eyes closed, willing the icky feeling away.
“You can’t tell me?” he asks.
I place a hand over my mouth, swallowing hard.
“And then you two were together this afternoon,” he says cautiously. “Wrapped up in his bed.”
“Milo,” I say in a defeated tone. “Please don’t. I can’t talk about it.”
I turn back around as Milo chews his lip and fidgets with his glasses.
“Is it private?” he asks, frowning.
I shrug. “I guess.”
Sadness droops on his face, and he shifts his weight between his feet.
