Isolation: Book 2 of The Quarantine Series Page 15

  Both staircases lead to a foyer type area. This is where Milo set up his home office. Four desks, office chairs, computers, phones, etc., are all set up here.

  If you take a left at the bottom of the stairs, you will find a door that leads to the large, open main area. This is where we used to throw parties back in the day.

  If you take a right at the bottom of the stairs, you’ll find a door that leads to a small apartment. This area was previously rented out, and currently Milo’s business partners are staying in that apartment.

  I am standing by these very staircases, trying to decide if I should make my descent downstairs. It feels like I am interrupting Milo and his business partners at their work.

  After weeks of eating every meal together, I have formed a habit where I forget to eat unless Milo and I are together. Which is why it’s weird that Milo chose not to come by today.

  I have been working in the study as usual. At five p.m. I realized that Milo forgot about lunch. Chalking it off as an oversight, I grabbed a couple of power bars and went back to work.

  When it hit ten p.m, I realized that Milo never came by for dinner either. Before heading back to my room, I decided to check on him in the split-level.

  Unsure of the proper etiquette for home-office protocol, I hesitate at the top of the stairs. My decision to take the stairs is made up by the time I hear Alexa’s voice.

  Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I am surprised to find a lively room at ten p.m. No one notices my arrival as all four desks are facing away from the staircase. My focus zeroes in on only one of the four desks.

  Milo is sitting on his desk chair, and Alexa is standing next to him, leaning over his desk to show him some paperwork. The exchange is friendly enough. I have seen them work in close proximity. But this scene is hitting a little too close.

  He forgot to visit me today because he was engrossed in Alexa.

  I try to shake away my irrational thoughts. Right as I am about to turn away I see Alexa moving her hand to take Milo in a one-handed hug, pressing her breasts against his body.

  What.

  The.

  Fuck.

  My mind is spiraling from the scene in front of me.

  I want to gouge someone’s eyes out.

  I want to rip out someone’s hair.

  I want to claw the shit out of someone.

  And Alexa seems like a good enough target for all of those things.

  Before I can react, I hear Brandon’s booming voice. “Raven, we missed you!”

  Both Milo and Alexa turn around simultaneously, but I don’t get to see their reactions. Brandon picks me up in a one-handed bear hug and twirls me around.

  “Whoa!” I squeal in surprise. “Nice to see you too, Brandon.”

  I am still levitating in the air when I feel two strong hands gripping my waist and yanking me out of Brandon’s grasp. My back hits a hard chest.

  I turn my face to find Milo hovering over me, but his glare is steadfast on Brandon, while mine drifts back to Alexa.

  “Tell me Brandon, would you rather finish your workday and sleep peacefully in a warm bed, or have me drag you outside so you can sleep in the cold?”

  “I come in peace,” Brandon smiles at Milo and makes peace signs with both of his hands.

  Alexa gives me a sad smile as she watches Milo holding me tightly to his chest. I immediately feel horrendous, knowing I am the reason for that look on her face.

  For all intents and purposes, this is Alexa’s office and home for the next few weeks. It should be her sanctuary, her haven. I shouldn’t have come here and made her feel bad.

  Alexa has feelings for Milo, but she can’t control her feelings. She can only control her actions, which she does. She has never been rude, nor has she ever mistreated me, despite knowing of Milo’s not so little “crush” on me.

  I try to push Milo off, but his hold tightens, like an automatic learned response.

  “Stop being so touchy, M,” Brandon teases again.

  “It’s been a shitty fucking day. Don’t test me.”

  “I was just excited to see Raven,” Brandon gives him another cheeky response.

  “Be less fucking excited,” Milo says it with his calm voice and stoic eyes. It's a look on him that always drops my stomach to the ground.

  I push against Milo’s chest again, and this time he does let go. “I came by to say hello. I didn’t realize you guys were so busy.”

  “Shit hit the fan today,” Jaci twirls in her revolving chair, her headset sitting on her ears.

  “Yeah, it’s been insane. Milo locked us up in this basement,” Brandon pouts. “I haven’t seen the sun at all. Tell me, Rave. Do people still laugh out there?”

  Despite myself, I let out a giggle. Milo narrows his eyes at me and entwines our fingers.

  “For fuck’s sake, Brandon,” he barks. “You are a part-owner of a company that’s falling apart. Act like it.” Milo turns to the girls next. “I’ll be back later to go through the rest of it.”

  “See you guys,” Brandon waves.

  I wave to everyone, but Jaci is already back on a call. Alexa only slightly lifts her hand.

  Milo walks us out of the split-level apartment, and within minutes we are at the top of the stairs, with Milo opening the door to the main house.

  As soon as he closes the door, I turn to him. “What’s going on at work?”

  “Why are you asking me that?” he frowns. “I already told you everything over text.”

  “Text?” I slap my temple. It never crossed my mind to text him. Milo and I barely ever text each other. Why would we? We live in the same damn house. “Shit. I left my phone in my room. I get too distracted by it when I work.”

  “As Jaci said, shit hit the fan. I left the house early today and just got back from the office. It was hell getting inside, but I had to. Our servers went down today.”

  I finally take in Milo’s tired eyes and unshaven face. “Is everything okay?” I ask in a low voice, feeling genuinely concerned after taking in his tired state.

  “We are working on it,” he sighs. “But it will have to be an all-nighter.”

  All-nighter with Alexa?

  She is his business partner, so obviously she is going to be there. Alexa is also one of Milo’s best friends. His beautiful, non-toxic friend. He will be confined with her in close quarters all night long. The thought is much more depressing than I could have ever imagined.

  “Rave?”

  “Oh, sorry.” I didn’t even hear his question. “What’s up?”

  “I asked if you have eaten yet?”

  “No, I haven’t eaten.”

  “Pizza?”

  “That sounds great,” I try to snap out of it. “I’m starving.”

  “Cool. There is a place a few blocks away that serves takeout. It should still be open.”

  “Sounds good,” I give Milo a nod before following him out.

  -----------

  Milo

  Raven has been unusually quiet tonight. We grabbed a couple slices of pizza from a local takeout and decided to eat it on our walk home. Now that her hand is free, my eyes keep flickering to it. I am about to reach for it when she crosses her arms over her chest.

  She is walking next to me, but she is lost in her mind. This is backward momentum. I have to bring out the big guns to keep her engaged.

  I sigh, already hating the conversation topic I am about to propose. “Do you still want to know about my sexual history?”

  “How many women have you been with?” Raven asks before I even formulate the question to a completion. She didn’t miss a single beat, as if she had been waiting for that opening.

  I smile at her reflex. Locked, loaded, and ready to shoot. That’s my quick-witted girl. “I expected something more creative, Rave,” I tease, hoping to avoid the question.

  “Don’t you worry, I am just getting started,” she retorts. “So, how many?”

  Ugh. This is why I hate talking about my sexual history. I specifically never discussed it so it wouldn’t get back to Raven. I never wanted her to find out. She is not going to like any of my answers.

  “I lost count a long time ago,” I hold my breath for her reaction.

  “How long ago?”

  “When I was sixteen.”

  Raven pauses but shakes it away casually, not letting me see how it affects her.

  She fires the next question, “And how old were you when you lost your virginity?”

  “Thirteen.” I am too embarrassed to make eye contact with her, so I stare straight ahead.

  “Jesus!” Raven fails to keep the nonchalance out of her voice this time.

  I visibly wince. “Absentee parents and fast city kids,” I mumble under my breath.

  Fuck. Is she going to be repulsed by all of these answers? It only gets worse.

  As if noticing my misery, Raven tries to ease the tension. She asks a creative question, as promised. “Have you ever slept with a man?”

  “No, Raven. I haven’t,” I patiently respond. No, thank you. For all of my experience, it’s always been strictly pussy for me. Specifically, hers.

  “Ever kissed a man?”

  “No, Raven,” I give her another exasperated look.

  “Have you ever had anal sex?”

  I pause. “Yes.”

  “Were you the pitcher or catcher?” Raven asks in an amused tone.

  My lips twitch slightly. She is enjoying this a little too much, but I feel unruffled by this line of questioning.

  I slowly reach for one of her hands that she has crossed over her chest to untangle it. If she plans to be ridiculous, then she can hold my hand in exchange.

  “What do you think?”

  Raven turns to study my face. “Catcher for sure.”

  Sometimes, I can’t get enough of all the fucking shit this girl spews out. There is nothing like it in the world. I love it when she tries to fuck with me like this.

  “Whatever you say, Rave.”

  “Have you ever had a threesome?” Raven doesn’t even so much as take a breath.

  “Yes.”

  “Did you like it?”

  “It was the same as sex.” I shrug. “Just add voyeurism and some waiting around time.”

  “Would you do it again?”

  “No,” I respond curtly. I narrow my eyes at the picture she is drawing in my head.

  “Why not?”

  “Because the thought of sharing you makes me want to murder the person, boy or girl.”

  “I didn’t suggest a threesome with me,” she deadpans. “It was a hypothetical question.”

  “Okay. Hypothetically, the thought of sharing you makes me want to murder the person, boy or girl. I don’t even like to think of someone else touching you.”

  “We are not even talking about me,” Raven quips.

  “If it has to do with questions about my sexual future, we are talking about you.”

  Neither of us remark on the comment, but I tighten my grip on her hand on instinct.

  Ever since that day when I stopped after she asked me to, the wheels have turned in Raven's head. A gradual and natural progression of our relationship has taken place.

  Raven needed assurance that this is not just about the physical aspect. She needed proof that there can be more between us. I have been giving her that.

  Something has been brewing between us for the last few weeks, and not just the shit I have been telling our families behind Raven's back.

  Raven has been acting like a different person around me. Her feelings have changed. She is softer. More vulnerable. More open.

  We eat every fucking meal together. She doesn't protest anymore when I hold her hand during that time. She doesn't protest when I pull her to my chest while we watch movies or shows. We act like we are together, both in front of our families and in private.

  I think the word is "courting" or some other old ass outdated version of dating.

  I have never done this shit before. If it was anyone other than Raven, I never would have done it either.

  There are no labels and there is no physical aspect to it, but we are somehow together.

  So, I need some answers of my own to find out the progression of our relationship, and where she is mentally. “Do I get to ask you a question as well?”

  “I guess that’s fair,” she responds mildly. “But are you sure you want to ask about my sexual past. You mentioned your jealousy—”

  I grind my teeth, even though I put on a smile for her. “No, Rave. I don’t want to know about your conquests in Paris. I’d have to kill the fuckers if you told me.” I wish I was kidding.

  Raven ignores the statement completely. “What would you like to know?”

  “Have you ever been in love?”

  Raven stops in her tracks to stare at me. She blinks a few times as if trying to wake herself up. She resumes walking without pulling her hand away.

  “Yes,” she answers curtly, without offering any more information or explanation.

  I want to ask the dreaded follow-up question, but I choose not to. If the answer is anything different from the one I want, the repercussions will be too massive to recover for either of us. I just clench and unclench my jaw, hoping that it’s not him.

  Instead, I say, “What else would you like to know about my past sex life?”

  “You never used to talk dirty, but I noticed that you did it the last few times...”

  “I didn’t think back then was the right time to incorporate dirty talk into our sex life.”

  “Why not?” Raven challenges.

  “Because you were young and shy.”

  “Did you talk dirty to Alexa?” The words spill out of her so fast that it even surprises her.

  I stop short at the sudden mention. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you are jealous,” I gauge in a low voice. Raven has never expressed jealousy or possessiveness before.

  “Jealous?” Raven sounds surprised.

  “It’s okay if you are.” I truly mean it. I look over to find Raven frowning, unsure on how to react to her own feelings. “Why do you want to know about what happened between us?”

  “Because I am curious about the extent of your relationship with her,” she speaks in her matter of fact tone. “And I’d like to have a better understanding of your past.”

  I have always known that Raven doesn’t throw tantrums because she is slow to react. But that doesn’t mean she won’t react. It just takes her longer to process.

  So, I feel cautious about giving in to her request. “How imperative is it for me to answer this?”

  “How imperative is it for me to trust you?” Raven retorts.

  “Yes,” my response is almost immediate. “I spoke dirty to Alexa.”

  Raven gives me a curt nod. “Thank you for being honest.”

  I gave in, but I don’t know of her ability to process. She is so fucking stunted sometimes.

  It’s like watching a child take their “emotional” first steps as they learn to walk in a new realm that they recently discovered. “Rave, are you jealous of Alexa?”

  “Yes,” her response is quick and definite. Then she adds, “Yes, I believe I am.”

  I am quiet for a few moments. “You know, I wouldn’t be able to deal with it if the situation were reversed.” I am jealous when someone even breathes near her. “If you are uncomfortable with Alexa—”

  “Milo, stop,” Raven cuts me off. She looks up at me with a frown tugging at her lips. “I’d never come in between your friendship.”

  Of course, she wouldn’t. Compassion and empathy run deep inside her. Raven always tries to understand everyone else’s perspective. Even after everything I have done, she is still trying to understand me instead of writing me off.

  Without making things more awkward or dwelling on the past, she shoots off her next question. “Have you ever had any STDs?”

  “No.” I take out my house key as we approach our front door.

  “When was the last time you took an STD test?” she asks curiously.

  I contemplate for a moment as I mull the answer over. “Four years ago.”

  “What!” Raven exclaims. “Four years is a long time. How do you know you’re clean?”

  I know the thoughts that are running through that pretty little analytical head of hers. I start laughing at how she is cringing. “Trust me, Rave. I’m clean.”