Milo
I meet Joey at the alumni hall right before the reception starts. After a busy day in the lab, I had to rush to get ready for the event, and my mind is spinning. But then I see him standing there, under the big stone arch at the entrance to the building, and my heart sings.
“You dressed up!” I say, grinning.
“Yeah, uh, wasn’t I supposed to?”
Joey’s standing there in a pair of gray slacks and a collared black shirt. His hair is freshly buzzed, and he’s shined his boots. Even with his gnarly black eye and the scratches across his cheek, I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so handsome.
I throw my arms around him for a gentle hug, taking care not to squeeze too hard. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect. Thank you for coming.” I pull back and tilt my head up to catch his eye. “Are you sure you got enough rest, though?”
“Definitely,” Joey says as he drapes his arm over my shoulder. “Anyway, soon as I see you, I don’t feel the pain anymore.”
I laugh as we start walking into the hall. “Maybe you had too many pain pills, then.”
Joey chuckles. “So this is where you spend all day?”
I look around at the tall ceilings, decorative paintings, and marble fixtures that elevate the alumni hall. “Not exactly. This is just for when the college needs to show off. I’m usually tucked away in one of the ugly labs on the other side of campus. We’re lucky if we get a window.”
“I bet the library’s pretty good, though.”
“It is,” I agree as I slide my arm around his waist. “And since you’re my boyfriend now, I’ll be happy to pick up books for you, anytime you want.”
Joey grunts. “I’m not going to turn down an offer like that.”
We step into the reception area, and I catch a few people staring at us. The entire Botany Department is here, from students to research fellows and esteemed professors. I’m not sure what it is they’re all staring at, Joey’s beaten face or the fact that two men are squeezed up close together. Maybe they’re just all shocked to see me with someone like him, but honestly, I don’t care about any of that.
“I usually hate this event,” I say, “but it’s actually fun being here with you.”
Joey chuckles. “Just make sure to point out that Ray asshole. I want to stare him down with my black eye, make sure he knows not to fuck with you.” He steps back and glares at me with his swollen, purple eye. “Pretty intimidating, right?”
“I guess,” I laugh. “You still look like a sweetheart to me, though.” I squeeze him closer. “There he is, actually. With Professor Thomas.”
Ray, my professor, and a few other students from the class are chatting as they walk from the bar, wine in hand. They’re heading straight toward us, and I almost turn and try to duck away. Before I can, though, Professor Thomas notices us.
“Sorry,” I say under my breath. “This should be quick.”
“It’s what I’m here for,” Joey answers.
I force a smile to my face. “Professor Thomas,” I say with a nod, then turn to my classmates. “Hi, everyone.”
“Milo,” Professor Thomas says with a nod, but her eyes stay right on Joey’s face.
That’s rude. There might not be a lot of black eyes in botany, but still, she should know better than to stare.
“This is my boyfriend, Joey,” I say. I get a thrill from introducing him that way, and it kicks up another level when I catch the surprise on Ray’s face.
Yes, thank you, my boyfriend is hot and intimidating. Surprised?
“We were just celebrating,” Professor Thomas says. “Ray will be joining the research fellows at the Botanical Gardens next semester.”
It takes a second for the words to sink in, and when they do, my face falls. “Oh, wow,” I answer, then force another smile. “Congratulations, Ray. That’s amazing.”
Shit, shit, shit. I really wanted that fellowship, and now I have to stand here and play nice about the fact that my least favorite classmate has it instead.
Joey’s hand rubs a slow circle on my back. If he weren’t there, I’m not sure how I would hold it together, but the steady presence of his touch helps. He knows what this means, and for once, I’m not so alone here.
“I’m happy,” Ray says with a smug nod. “A lot of great botanists have worked there since the gardens opened in the fifties.”
