guy, who seems so interested in me as a person when nobody else has been before.
Something must be up.
“I’d just rather not,” I say.
“Oh, dude, don’t stress. I get it.”
Then again, I think I’m just being paranoid. Dad did raise me that way, after all. I’m probably just scared about being vulnerable. Which is scary for me.
But I think it’s worth it.
Jason is worth it.
Someday, maybe soon, we’ll be good friends.
I won’t keep anything from him.
CHAPTER TEN
My life feels split down the middle.
On one side, it’s horrible. Dad is in a hospital, still in a coma. Apparently his recovery is going slower than they expected, so they decided to keep him under for a few more days.
I’m grateful his room is private. Apparently that’s the best money can pay for here. On his bedside table are a few bouquets of flowers. The machines beside him are constantly whirring and beeping.
When he wakes up, I’ll find out if the war is going to end or just get worse.
On the flip side, there’s my friendship with Jason.
I came out to him.
I still can’t believe I did that.
Now he really knows me, in a way I’ve never let anyone know me.
My phone lights up on the table beside me.
It’s from Jason.
Hey. I have the house to myself all Sunday, my parents are going to some wine-tasting thing. Want to come over?
Wait, his place?
I don’t want to talk to him about my family. At least not yet, until I’m completely sure he can be trusted. But still, going to his place feels like a big step in that direction, which I’m not sure about. Even though I like the thought of us being our own men, we aren’t. As much as I dislike it sometimes, I’m a Miller.
And he is whoever he is. It makes me doubt if I even can be friends with him if he doesn’t know who I really am. We’re the sons of criminals. We’ll grow up to be fully-fledged members of the underworld. If we even survive that long. At any second, either one of us could be shot and killed by a Donovan. I know that for sure now.
I read his text again.
A part of me thinks I should wait a while before responding. I want him to think I’m, like, busy or something, not just waiting around for him to message me. But he’s seen that I’ve read the message. Which means I can’t do that anymore. Once a message has been read, only an asshole doesn’t reply. I start typing.
Hey! I’d love that!
Sweet. You could come over at around twelve, if that works for you?
Sounds perfect!
* * *
When I reach Jason’s house, I sit out front and gape.
It’s a stunning mansion, with white walls, enormous windows, and a few sections of slate gray. The front lawn is massive and perfectly kept. His family is clearly loaded, which for some reason I wasn’t expecting.
He might even have more money than me.
Which is cool. Just … unexpected.
I go up to the front door and text him: Hey, I’m here.
My phone lights up immediately.
I’ll come grab you, give me a sec.
I scroll Instagram on my phone until the door opens. He looks so good, I’m at a loss for words. He’s in a black tank and gray shorts and is wearing a silver necklace with a circle pendant.
His arms are exposed. I can’t help but notice them. His biceps are nicely muscled.
“Hey, you,” he says, and then he hugs me.
It lasts for a while. I like it.
“I can give you a tour of the place, if you want?” he asks as he breaks away from me.
“Sure.”
Jason goes back in. I linger outside.
“Want me to take off my shoes?” I ask.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Cool.”
I go inside.
And damn.
Inside is a beautiful foyer, brightly lit with natural light. The floors are polished timber. Art hangs on the off-white walls, and there’s a Greek-looking sculpture in the corner. It’s the kind that’s missing arms for some reason.
He walks to the next room. It’s an open area, a combination of a kitchen, living room, and dining room. It’s like mine, but bigger and brighter. The kitchen island is made of speckled white stone. At the far end, there’s a huge TV in front of two white leather couches. The whole place is immaculate and smells so nice. It’s a warm sort of smell, like vanilla.
Outside, there’s the biggest infinity pool I’ve ever seen. A bunch of inflatable pool toys are floating on the surface,