complain about. She left for work early, citing overtime, but I was never sure if I believed that or not. Sometimes, I think she just didn’t like being in the apartment. At this point, it had become more like Milo and I lived on our own. We even did all the grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. (Again, by “we,” I mostly mean him. But I did help. Sometimes.)
Around nine, I finally decided that I ought to shower. My feet had recuperated enough where they could stand to be submerged in soap and water. When I went into my room to gather my clothes, I noticed my cell phone flashing on the table. I had ignored it all day because I had wanted to ignore Jane, but I knew that eventually I’d have to deal with her. Much to my surprise, buried underneath the mass of texts from her, I found a text message from Jack. The Matches tomorrow. First Ave. Seven o’clock. I’m buying. You in? He’d obviously been paying attention last night when I just casually mentioned liking the band The Matches, and he’d inexplicably invited me to a concert at First Ave, which was a rather historic little venue downtown, not that far off from where he found us actually. I couldn’t help but feel incredibly flattered. And I knew that if Milo heard about this, he’d be filled with nothing but an uneasy suspicion and do everything but forbid me from going. Despite all that, I couldn’t feel that way. Sure, he was too old for me, but we weren’t dating, and I didn’t really feel like that would become an issue.
I sighed, then quickly responded with, That’s too much $. I already owe you too much.
I expected a long wait for a response from him. Jack seemed way too fancy to be sitting with his phone doing nothing. He’d probably be busy doing… I don’t know what. But something far more exciting than sitting on his bed, preparing to shower. Instead, I got a reply within seconds.
Oh be quiet. Money doesn’t matter. Are you in or not?
Of course I was in. It was one of my favorite bands and I had a sinking suspicion that Jack might become one of my favorite people. Why would I say no? Besides that, it was Spring Break, so I didn’t even have school to contend with. Not that that would’ve stopped me even if there was school, but it would’ve caused Milo to give me more than an eyebrow raise.
Yeah. But don’t get in the habit of buying me things. I messaged him back.
Don’t get in the habit of protesting when I buy you things. ;)
Funny. I replied, hoping it sounded as droll as I wanted it to.
I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. Sound good? That was cutting it awfully close to the time the show started. I knew we’d be able to get in, but I was rather short, and I hated ending up at the back of the crowd. But he was inviting me, so I’d play by his rules, even if that meant that I’d only see the shoulders of the person in front of me.
Yeah. See you then. :)
I closed my phone, deciding instantly that I couldn’t tell Jane about this. If hanging out with Jack became a regular thing, I knew I’d have to tell her. And Milo. But for now, I thought it’d be best if I kept it to myself. It was weird because I’m not a secretive person at all. I can’t keep anyone’s secrets, not even my own, so I couldn’t really explain what compelled me to keep this to myself.
I spent the next twenty-four hours avoiding Jane and hedging Milo’s questions. He had a sixth sense when something was up with me, and it was nearly impossible to keep anything hidden from him. When I was getting ready to go out, he knew there was a guy involved. I don’t know how. All I had put on was a slim-fitting hoodie and a pair of jeans, so I don’t understand what that would give away.
Every time I left him home alone at night, I felt terrible. Sure, he was fourteen, and at this point, we’d spent most of our lives alone, but it still never felt right to me. I knew he didn’t really want me to go because he didn’t know what I was up to, but