The thought doesn’t calm my pulse that’s been constantly rising since Milo told me he’s gay. It’s adangerousfact that I never should have heard.
It’s one thing to think your charge is hot, and another thing entirely to open the floodgates of possibility when your crush bats for your team.
Not thatIhave a crush on Milo.
I’m a professional, dammit.
I don’t have inappropriate thoughts about people I’m in charge of.
I’m talking about all the other bisexual bodyguards who are protecting America’s darling.
Milo finally finishes his red-carpet moment and makes his way over to the wall that I’m keeping company.
“There’s still a while before the show starts. Do you want anything to eat? I saw some really appetizing pretzel thingies earlier. I can’t have any right now, but I can totally snatch some for you. It’ll be like eating vicariously through you,” he says with bright eyes.
With the way he’s already glowing, he’s almost too blinding to look at. I clear my throat and stare past him, surveying the scene as I should be.
“No, thanks. That would be inappropriate. I’m working,” I say sternly. My back is ramrod straight, and my hands are clasped against my lower back. I’m the picture of a model bodyguard with no illicit thoughts whatsoever.
“What’s so inappropriate about it? The food’s meant to be eaten, and we all know most of the people here aren’t going to be touching it. Wouldn’t it be even more inappropriate to let it all go to waste?”
Milo’s grinning smile is bright, but not artificially so, like when he played it up for the cameras. I’m glad to see himback to being the playful man I’ve gotten to know these past few days, and the uneasy silence from earlier has completely disappeared.
A man joins us by the wall, and I’m saved from having to give Milo a reply or face the reality that my answer wouldn’t have aligned with my professionalism.
“There you are, Milo. I’ve been searching all over for you,” the man says and reaches to Milo for a hug.
I watch Milo’s physical reaction, and seeing that he’s calm, I stay put as Tate wraps his arms around Milo. The action is a quick greeting before the men pull back.
Tate was in Milo’s file since he was also a member of MYTHS. The dossier didn’t contain information regarding Milo’s current relationship with his former bandmate—like whether they’re on good terms—but based on his currently relaxed shoulders, they at least get along.
The only thing I hate seeing is the way Milo now seems more muted. He’s not wearing his camera-ready persona, but he’s not relaxed like he is when he’s completely comfortable either.
It makes me wonder why, if they didn’t have a horrible falling out, they’re not closer? They were constantly together for five years while a part of MYTHS, so why does it look like Milo has put up a wall between them?
“Have you heard from Sully recently?” Tate asks without even glancing my way, just as I prefer.
I’m used to blending into the wall and being overlooked as part of the staff by those who hire us. It makes it easy tocatch on to those with bad intentions. It also makes for great information gathering without even trying.
“Sully? Not since we made dinner plans. Are you unable to get in touch with him?”
Tate nods. “I know he lives in the middle-of-fuck nowhere, but he’s never gone off-grid like this before. I’m worried something happened.”
Tate’s voice goes low at the final sentence. Milo’s expression grows concerned, too, and I wonder if there’s something more to this than another bandmate not replying.
This seems like a conversation that shouldn’t be overheard. Thankfully, despite the venue being overcrowded with zealous fans, nobody is near our little corner of this wall.
“Have you asked Harvey and Yury if they’ve heard from him?” Milo continues to ask.
“Harvey says he hasn’t, and you know how Yury is. I’m surprised he even replied about the dinner get-together next week.” Tate shrugs, then his shoulders deflate.
Milo gives him a comforting pat. “I’ll give him a call tonight and try to get a hold of him. Don’t worry just yet, okay?”
Tate nods, but a paparazzi interrupts, clamoring for a photo of the two of them together. Milo’s and Tate’s expressions instantly turn camera-ready as they move to a more photogenic spot to pose for the camera.
The one photo somehow calls over a horde of photographers who scramble to capture them as well. I hear one of them ask if MYTHS ever plans on getting back together. The question goes unanswered, and Milo and Tate are stuck posing for a good five minutes before Ray pushes throughthe crowd and herds Milo to the next location. Tate uses this chance to escape somewhere too.
I follow my charge quietly and use my arm to guard against those who try to get a littletooclose to Milo. Their pointed glares show their dissatisfaction, but I don’t give a damn about their feelings.
