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

Steve eventually agreed, and they went to the locker room to shower, JJ sensing a definite awkwardness from his friend.


“What the fuck you doing all the way over there?” JJ asked when Steve started a showerhead at the other end of the room. He reached two nozzles over from his own and turned it on. “Get your butt over here. Like I said, nothing has changed.”


“You’re so frickin’ awesome. God, I’ve waited years to say that.” 


JJ chose to believe the water coursing down his friend’s face was from the shower.


As they continued to shower, JJ explained that he’d been trying to ask Steve to befriend Milton, because the guy needed friends, and he was pretty amazing when you got to know him.


At first Steve rejected the idea, not wanting anyone else to know he was gay.


“Just be his friend. Honestly, he’s a great guy, really funny.”


“But everyone’ll think I’m gay ’cause I’ll be hanging with him.”


Chapter 16