Page 39 of Isolation

“I think so,” I look down at my leg. I have been limping around on my leg for days. The healing process has been frustratingly slow. My dad told me to slowly increase my stamina, but only after I have felt rested enough. “I should be fine.”

“After you, then. I’ll catch you if you fall.”

We walk along a steep path between large trees and shrubs, till we come to an overlook point. It’s not very high up but it has the perfect view of the city.

“Wow,” I fail to keep the mesmerization out of my voice.

This view is a grand reminder of beautiful New York. It’s breathtaking. I turn to find Milo watching me instead of the view.

“This is beautiful,” I offer as we both sit on a nearby bench.

“I stumbled upon it once by accident. I thought you might like it.”

I nod for Milo even though I am still staring ahead, transfixed by the sight. It seems unreal, like a dream.

I feel like my lack of sleep is fucking with me. I dig my nails into my palm and watch for the nail marks to try to wake myself up. I look up to find Milo watching me.

“What happened to you that other night? You completely spaced out,” Milo says abruptly, his eyes are still on the angry red marks on my palm.

Ah, the night of theincidentas Milo fondly refers to it. I have an inkling that I freaked him out that night.

I didn’t mean to, but I am not going to complain if that’s the reason why there is finally peace between us.

“Pass.” I don’t see the point in rehashing a horrifying moment.

“This is not a pass or play game.”

I sigh. “Then why don’t you start with an easier question and work your way up?”

“Fine. Why didn’t you think I would find out that you moved back to New York?”

I turn to look at Milo. He had that one stored and ready to go.

“Because I was discreet.” I shrug. “Other than people at work, only Mia and Reid knew that I moved back. I asked them not to say anything. I stayed away from social media. Plus, Mia told me you barely come back to New York, and you are too busy to answer calls. You haven’t spoken to the family in months. I assumed you wouldn’t find out about my move for a while.”

“You are a smart girl,” Milo grins, almost as if he is proud of my calculative moves.

“How did you find out that I moved back?” I ask a question of my own.

“From family members.”

“And how did you find out about how Reid felt about me?”

“From family members,” Milo states again.

I roll my eyes at the predictability. “The cycle continues.”

“Reid was acting weird. I kind of pried it out of Mia to find out why.”

“So,” I look at Milo nervously, hoping for an honest answer, “you didn’t speak to Reid the day you and I saw each other for the first time? Did you know what time our parents were coming home that day when they caught us together?”

I have had my suspicions for days that Milo had something to do with us getting caught naked in front of our entire family. I even asked my parents about it.

Mom said that Milo didn’t provide any specific instructions to go to his room that day. He simply informed them that he wanted to have a family meeting once everyone officially moved in.

From her perspective, it was an anonymous group decision to go seek out Milo in his room.

I want to believe her, but something is off. The coincidence is far fetched, allowing Milo to get exactly what he wanted after he dragged me to his room.