Chapter 75
“I love you,” Colby said. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I like the way you read. Especially dialogue and starlit falling in love. But this is important.” Serious blue caught rainlight and hospital light, and pinned Jason in place. “Please talk to me.”
“I—” Heat scorched his eyes. “I want to. I like talking to you. I can’t—you don’t need to take care of me. You do that so much. With everyone. I don’t need—”
“And I love you,” Colby said again, clear and certain and fierce. That voice—the voice Jason loved, like nobody else ever—became a blanket tucked around shoulders, a mug of hot cocoa, a shared romance novel. “Please let me help. I’ll be stubborn at you if you’d like. I can do that.”
“I know you can.” Late-night hotel pools and character insights and a scrap of barely-a-bathing-suit. He lifted Colby’s hand, pressed it against his mouth, let his head drop, rested his forehead on that hand in his. “You always help. When I don’t know how to swim.”