A Family Affair

Milo was halfway paying attention in class. It was the last one of the day, so he was counting the minutes until the lecture was over, switching between taking notes and playing a game on his phone.

Angelo: we should go to the park today.

Milo looked at the text. On the surface, it may seem that Angelo was simply suggesting a stroll through the park. But no, Angelo wanted to have sex in the thin bushes, close to the running trail. Last time it was fun, with a few runners coming close to catching them but too absorbed in their tracks to notice.

Milo: sure.

He wasn’t too keen on the idea, but it wasn’t like he had much planned for the day. Another text came through.

Ryan: did Tyler tell you?

Milo sat up in his seat.

Tell me what?

A few minutes went by with no answer. His professor was calling on students to take part in the lecture, and Milo hoped he wouldn’t be picked.

Did something happen?

There was still no response from Ryan, so Milo tried his dad.

What’s going on with Tyler?

Dad: he didn’t tell you? He got engaged.

Milo felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. It was as if the rest of the world melted away. He stared at his phone barely breathing. His fingers hovered over the phone, wanting to ask who the fiancé was, but he already knew the answer. Tyler had been dating a woman named Natalie for a few months. It never crossed Milo’s mind that either Ryan or Tyler would consider marriage so soon. Milo replied to his dad.

Why? It’s too soon.

Now it was his dad’s turn to not answer. Milo was antsy and thought about leaving the class. The next thirty minutes ticked by slowly with Milo checking his phone every few minutes to see no new messages. Finally, the class ended and he quickly packed his bags and rushed out. Angelo asked him what was wrong, but Milo ignored the text.

He arrived home to see his father cleaning the place up. He had changed from his usual business attire to jeans and a flannel despite it being warm. Summer was quickly approaching and so was the Texas heat.

“What’s going on,” Milo asked.

His father was cleaning off the center table. “Tyler and Natalie are coming over.”

“Why?”

His father gave him a confused look. “Because he wants us to meet her”.

“He hadn’t been over since Christmas, and he didn’t bring her over then.”

“Milo, please.” It was father’s soft voice that took him by surprise and the pleading look on his face. He hadn’t never seen his father look so vulnerable. Milo uncrossed his arms and felt some of the anger dissipate.

“How long are they staying over?”

“I don’t know but he deserves this chance, alright?”

The men stared at each other, Milo’s anger chipping away by the seconds. At last he sulked to his room, intending on staying there for the rest of the day. He pulled out his phone and texted Angelo.

Hey wyd?

Angelo: I forgot I have a group project to work on but I’ll hit you up right after.

Milo sighed and flopped on the bed. He scrolled through his phone, wondering if he could contact anyone else. But he hasn’t exactly been social this year. He opened Grindr instead. Maybe he’d get lucky enough to meet a new guy for a few minutes. He answered a few old messages but none of the guys seemed interesting enough.

After twenty minutes, the doorbell rang. Milo sat up and looked towards his bedroom door, debating whether to come out. Maybe he should just head back to campus to avoid them all.

“Are they here yet”. He recognized Ryan’s voice. Milo slowly walked out and headed to the living room.

“He should be here any minute now.” Their father was pacing around the room, moving things back and forth, double checking that everything was in place. Ryan quietly asked Milo if he was okay. Milo simply shrugged and stared at the floor.

Soon enough, the doorbell rang. Ryan went to go answer it.

“Hey bro!” He gave Tyler a big hug. “And who’s this fine lady here?”

“Oh stop, you’ve met me before.” Natalie said playfully and gave him a quick hug.

Milo dug his hands in his pockets and avoided eye contact as the trio advanced into the living room. His father stepped forward.

“Hi there. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Oh likewise, Mr. Grant.” Natalie shook his hand.

“Thanks, but you can just call me John.”

Tyler spoke next. “And this here is my little bother, Milo.”

“Nice to meet you.” She extended a hand.

Milo glanced back and forth between his tall brother with the black hair and blue eyes, to the red head girl with green eyes. She was the same height as Milo with a similar slim frame.

“Same,” he said, shaking her hand.

John broke the tension. “Well, have a seat anywhere. Would you like something to drink? I got beer, wine, water. Pick you poison.”

Natalie looked to Tyler for guidance. “Wine will do just fine,” Tyler said. Natalie agreed.

“I’ll get a beer if you don’t mind.” Ryan headed to the kitchen. “You guys want white or red?”

“Red,” the couple said.

“Dad, I know you’d prefer a beer. What about you Milo?”

“Vodka”. Milo stalked to the kitchen. He snatched open the cabinet and pulled down the vodka and bourbon. He wondered just how quick he could get drunk if he mixed both together.

“Bro, come on.” Ryan gripped his arm. “What’s wrong with you?”

Milo jerked his arm free. “How long have you known?”

“Just a few days—”

“And no one thought to tell me?”

“Because we knew you’d act like this.”

“We?”

Ryan looked away. “Me and Tyler. He didn’t know how to tell you.”

He would need something stronger to abate his anger. He crossed over to the fridge and grabbed a jar of cherries. An old fashion it would be.

Ryan followed and grabbed two beers out of the fridge. “Milo.” Ryan whispered. “Don’t be like that. Look, this was bound to happen.”

Milo continued to ignore him. He quickly filled the glass, barely paying attention the ingredients he added. He took a few gulps, waiting for the burn to soothe him. Ryan poured the glasses of wine and went to the living room. John had turned on light jazz music. Ryan soon came back and stood beside him.

“Maybe we need to move on, ya know?”

“And just leave me all alone?” Milo took another big gulp.

“I’m still here.”

“Yeah, but for how long until you get married?”

Ryan moved his mouth but didn’t say anything. He shrugged. Milo rolled his eyes and headed to the living room. He took a seat beside John, which left the only open spot beside the couple on the adjacent section of the couch. Ryan took a seat there but stared at him across the room.

“So what do you do Natalie?” John asked.

She sat with her legs crossed at the ankle and her back straight. “I’m a physical therapist.”

“Nice. And how you liking it?”

“How long have you guys been together,” Milo interrupted.

Natalie smiled broadly and leaned into Tyler. “Almost eight months. I know it hasn’t been a long time, but when you’ve found the right person, you just know when it’s the right time.” The couple shared a kiss.

“We’ll I’m happy for you.” John raised his can and made a toast with them.

“I have schoolwork to get started on.” Milo quickly retreated to his room, all but slamming the door behind him. He quickly texted Angelo to see if he was free yet. Meanwhile, he paced the room, quickly downing his drink. He contemplated making another, but didn’t want to pass through the living room again. A few minutes later, Angelo finally answered.

I’m free now. Come to the music hall. Practice rooms.

There was a knock at the bedroom door right as Milo grabbed his keys. He opened it to see Tyler standing there.

“I have to go,” Milo said.

“Wait.” Tyler pushed himself in and closed the door behind him. “Are you alright? Natalie’s asking if something’s wrong with you.”

“You’ve been dating her for eight months and this is the first time I’m seeing her. Is she the reason you weren’t around for Christmas?”

Tyler looked away. “It’s not that easy. I never meant to hurt you.”

Milo made for the door, but Tyler stopped him.

“I want you to be there for me.”

“Why?”

Just then, Tyler leaned forward and kissed him. It was the first time they had kissed in almost a year. Milo melted into the kiss, the familiar feeling of Tyler’s lips against his. Tyler held him close around the waist, Milo snaked his arms around his neck.

“I miss you.” Milo whispered.

“I know but…”

Milo pulled back. “Do you love her?”

Tyler stared at him, his arms going slack. When a few quiet seconds went by, Milo pushed out if his grasp.

“Milo, wait—”

“I gotta go.”

Milo walked out the front door without saying goodbye to anyone.

Soon, he arrived back on campus and headed to the music hall. The sun was quickly dipping below the horizon, casting a gloomy shadow over the building. He entered and climbed the stairs. The building was pretty old; the stairwell smelled like old wood. He ascended up the creaky stairs to the second floor. The buildings barely reflected the exorbitant tuition cost.   

He pushed through door and was filled with various sounds of students practicing. Pianos and violins buzzed in the air, opera voices trilled up and down their scales. Milo walked slowly, peeking into the small window at the top of each door but didn’t see Angelo. Finally, near the end, he caught sight of the top of someone wearing a beanie. He peered through the small glass at the top of the door and at last saw Angelo. 

The song he played was slow and somber. Milo slowly crept into the room, and the rest of the sounds from the other rooms quickly faded away. Angelo’s slender fingers glided over the keys, the notes vibrating throughout the small space and enveloping Milo. He had never seen Angelo play, and he felt he was watching an artist at work. Like he was getting an exclusive look at another side of him. He soon slowed the pace of the song more until he played the final note, the sound lingering in the air until the last possible second when it was swallowed by the other instruments around them.

Milo knocked on the door to announce his arrival. Angelo whipped around and then smiled.

“You alright? You rushed out of class earlier.”

Milo leaned against the wall and shrugged. “My brother got engaged.”

“Oh congrats.”

Milo shrugged again.

“Or not?” Angelo asked.

“I mean, I guess it’s a good thing.” Milo ran a hand through his hair. He knew how he felt but he wasn’t so sure how to explain it in the right way.

Angelo continued. “Do you not like the fiancé?”

“She seems fine. I don’t know.”

“Are you jealous?”

Milo sighed. “What are you practicing?”

“Just something for my recital coming up.”

“It sounded nice.”

“Thanks.” Angelo got up and crossed over to Milo. “You know, I can make you feel less jealous.”

“What do you mean?”

Angelo closed the door. “You know what I mean.”

He pulled Milo close by the waist and kissed him. Milo accepted, letting his body be dragged across the room and leaned over the piano. Angelo began unzipping their pants.

“Right here?” Milo asked.

“Yeah why not?”

“What if someone walks in?”

“That’ll be hot won’t it?”

Angelo pulled his pants down and grabbed a bottle of lube from his backpack.

“Are you always prepared?” Milo asked. The question went unanswered as Angelo slicked himself and slowly entered Milo.

The man moaned and draped his body over Milo, who was leaned over the piano. The lights were still on so anyone who passed by could see them. Another piano down the hall was playing a quick jazz tune. Another person was practicing a vocal warmup, another next door practiced a song on the violin. Milo briefly wondered just how many people were in the other rooms of the hall that he couldn’t quite hear.

“Does that feel good?” Angelo asked, quickening his pace.

Milo could hardly compare him to Tyler or Ryan, but the fear of getting caught made his adrenaline rush. He moved his hips along with Angelo, chasing his own climax. Angelo pushed their pants down to their ankles and began pounding into him. The smacks of flesh added to the surrounding music. Milo groaned louder. 

“Fuck yes. Tell me how that feels.” Angelo kissed him on his neck and moaned in his ear. All Milo could do was moan. Soon he could hear a door open and a group laughing. Their voices seemed to advance toward them.

“Someone’s coming,” Milo said. But Angelo didn’t stop. Instead, he reached around Milo and starting jerking him off. Milo brought an arm up to his mouth. They slowed their pace to a quieter one. The voices soon passed by with no interruption.

“I like you,” Angelo whispered. “Let me be your boyfriend.”

Milo couldn’t think and instead moaned into his ear. He could hear footsteps passing by their door again. “Someone might see us.”

“I’ll stop if you answer me. Come on, babe.” Angelo slowed his movements into a deep thrust and tightened his grip on Milo’s cock.

“I’m close. Come on.”

Milo was on the edge. He reached behind and pulled Angelo close. “Yes, yes. Okay.”

Angelo let go and resumed pounding into Milo. There wasn’t as much music to cover up their sounds, but it was soon over. Angelo spilled inside of Milo, who in return came over the piano and floor. Angelo kissed him on the neck before pulling out.

“Fuck, that was hot.”

He zipped himself back up and helped Milo get dressed. He kissed him one more time.

“You feel better now?”

Milo smiled and nodded.

“Good. Let’s get something to eat.”

The boys walked out holding hands. Milo ignored the nagging voice in his head. He may have not liked Angelo in that way, but it beat being alone.