“Guess I couldn’t outrun my issues.” I shrugged. “Team wasn’t that different from high school. A top-rated Division I program like that…it comes with certain expectations. Don’t know why I was expecting anything different.”

“It’s okay to want to be someone different, Milo.” Jasper’s face was unusually tender, and I had to look away quickly.

“Yeah.”

“Guess I better go.” He shifted in the seat, gathering his stuff. “Don’t forget about the card in the back.”

“Like I could. Thanks again.” I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, wasn’t ready to head back to Luther and James and that chilly apartment, but I wasn’t sure how to make Jasper linger without looking desperate. Or like I was angling for another kiss. Which I wasn’t. Okay, maybe I wanted that, but I also wasn’t going to ask.

“Hey, what’s this?” Jasper reached down to his feet and came up with one of my sketchbooks. “This must have come loose from under the seat when we stopped so fast.”

“Sorry.” I reached for the book.

“Don’t be.” Jasper didn’t seem to be in any hurry to hand it back. “What is this anyway? Drawings?”

“Kind of,” I admitted, but kept my hand out. “Give it here.”

“You still draw? You always were the best at detailed Lego plans. And I remember the teachers all loving your art projects in elementary.” Jasper moved like he was going to open the book, and I plucked it from him.

“Yeah. Art time was cool and all, but you don’t need to see my scribbles.”

“You’re twenty-two now. I doubt they’re scribbles.” Laughing, Jasper shook his head, then brightened. “Wait. Are they like naughty drawings? Nudes? Because now that you told me that you’re—”

“Good night, Jasper.” Forget lingering. I’d forgo my chance at another kiss if it meant avoiding this conversation topic.

“Okay, okay. I get it. You don’t want to share. But I’m just saying that if you’ve got that whole Tom of Finland erotic art vibe going, I’d be interested in taking a peek.”

“Great. Now I’m going to have to google who that is.”

“I think search engines have gotten you in enough trouble. I’ll send you some links as inspiration. For your scribbles.”

“Thanks.” My teeth dug into my lower lip because Jasper was being nice and cool, and I was back to being a dick all because I didn’t want to show off my drawings. “Maybe sometime I can show you one of my better doodles.”

Jasper’s slow smile was worth the way that offer made my stomach revolt. “I’d like that. Night.”