What should a straight high school junior do when he learns a gay guy in his grade has a crush on him? When JJ Brockwell stops a group of jocks from bullying comic book nerd Milton Katz, he finds himself the object of Milton’s misplaced affection. JJ wants to be his friend, but Milton wants more. JJ has a girlfriend named Maggie, who wants to wait before having sex. JJ respects this, but he’s 16 and cold showers only go so far. Maggie thinks Milton’s crush on her boyfriend is cute, but that doesn’t help with JJ’s problem. All Milton wants is JJ, and all JJ wants is Maggie. How can they find a solution to this impossible triangle?

Milton's Hero

“That will have made Milton feel worse.”


“How did you know that’s what happened?” 


Milton had reacted badly to the offer of the jacket. Milton told JJ he was being cruel, letting him see what it could be like having a boyfriend, but all the while knowing JJ couldn’t be that boyfriend. JJ had stood unmoving as Milton raced down the subway steps, confused as to what he’d done wrong.


“I know you were only trying to do the right thing, and I love you for it,” Maggie said, interrupting JJ’s thoughts. “But look at it from Milton’s point of view for a minute. This really hot jock comes along and is nice to him.”


“I’m putting myself in Milton’s position. Don’t interrupt.”


JJ smiled, but was glad Maggie couldn’t see it.


“This hot stud takes Milton under his wing, protects him, walks him to his classes, carries his books for him.”


“I’ve never carried his books for him.”


Chapter 12