My finger lingers on the next button. Rowan is the one to press it for me. I look up at him, and he nods.
“I’m all in,” he whispers again. “I love you.”
I’m about to make averypublic announcement to the entire world that not only am I in love, but I’m in love with a man. Instead of fear or anxiety, there’s only peace.
I type one thing in the caption and hit post before tossing my phone back where it came from and tackling Rowan into a fierce kiss. It’s all that really needs to be said:
#roloforever
18
Rowan
Epilogue – One year later
Milo is shining. He always does, but tonight he’s lighting up the entire world on stage.
I’ve been following Milo all over the world on his tour these last few months, and tonight is finally the last concert. Milo is singing his heart out to the completely sold-out MetLife Stadium. The entire place is loud with cheers,sparkling lights, and even homemade glow-in-the-dark banners that claim themselves as proud Itty-bitties.
After Milo posted that picture a year ago, whatever storm Ray had prepared for never happened. Instead, we were welcomed with overwhelming support and love.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the internet without some negative and bigoted comments, but there was always someone around to drown out those comments with positive ones.
Though I do believe more than half those comments came from my family—mostly Reagan—and themanyalternative accounts I’ve learned that Ethel has. They were really loud with their support of us and really led the online conversation toward loving us while giving us our privacy as well.
What surprises me the most is that I’ve even seen my sister Riley commenting on the post, mostly replying to the haters with embarrassing pictures she’s somehow found of them. It seems her days of stalking will never be over.
I’d been worried about Milo meeting everyone, especially Reagan and Riley, but they were surprisingly cool. Reagan didn’t bombard him with a million questions as “the number two fan”—I have officially been dubbed the biggest Itty-bitty—but got to know him as my partner. And Riley, well, she acted like Riley, just toned down all the creepiness.
Milo fit right in with them and even mentioned to me that night that he’s excited to be part of a big family.
He’s, of course, been scooped under Raina’s wings—and nominated the new favorite when he’d gifted her a rug he’d purchased on his last tour in France—but he has no idea that I hope to make him a member of the family officially.
Everyone is here backstage tonight, my entire family—even my parents had returned home from their travels to witness this—Ethel, Jack and his family. Ray is cuddled under Ruben’s arm as they make heart eyes at each other. I never thought I’d see my brother settle down, but here we are.
After the whole incident with Andrew and Lance, Ray took it upon himself to hunt them down and get payback. He’d used all his connections to push Lance out of the entertainment industry and had sent a strongly worded email to Andrew’s company depicting his recent and past atrocious online activities. Last I heard Andrew was fired and had to move back home with his mom.
The fallout had really taken a toll on Ray with him already being all keyed up and overworked that Milo had practically forced Ray to chill out and take a yoga class. It just so happened to be the same studio Ruben goes to, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I hate to admit it, but they’re good for each other. Ruben finally taught Ray how to relax and those dark circles that had been a permanent fixture on his face have finally disappeared. And Ray is able to rein in Ruben’s particular form of craziness. He even got Raina to give back his dessert privileges.
The other members of MYTHS are here as well. They and Milo have really worked on their relationship in the past year and talked things over. I’m not sure if they’ll ever be best friends, but they’ll always share a bond that’s not easily broken. When I reached out, they all insisted they couldn’tmiss this and snuck backstage after the start of the concert to surprise Milo.
They’re all here waiting with me to share what I hope will be a very joyous day.
The current song ends, and Milo steps to the front of the stage to where a grand piano is waiting. Stage magic happens, and a giant screen comes down across the entire stage—covering the back half of it—and turns into a galaxy.
A myriad of colors rivers out behind him for his last song—his newest single,mysong:Hazel.
My heart is going to break out of my chest as I watch him play the first notes. The song has transformed since the first time I heard it, but the essence is still the same. It’s an upbeat melody filled with hope, and combined with the lyrics, there’s no mistaking that it’s a love song.
For me.
Milo sings about getting lost in the field of stars filled with blues and greens and the warmest golds, and I’m lost in him. I’m replaying every single day of the last year in my head—the lazy mornings waking up in each other’s arms, the afternoons getting into whatever chaos Milo had up his sleeve that day, and the easy nights cuddled on the couch together—and I can’t wait to have a million more days just like them.
Milo plays the last note, and my pulse is louder than the thunder of applause coming from the fans. The lights dim, with only the spotlight on Milo still shining.
Ray comes up to me and pats me on the shoulder.
