Beside You Ch. 35: False Love

Chapter Thirty-Five: False Love

It was too early for this.

I hoped it would be significantly longer until I had to see Steven again.

I didn't even acknowledge him when he spoke.

He stood next to the counter awkwardly, leaning on his crutches.

His bruises were almost completely gone.

Had it already been that long?

It was wrong when I thought it, but I couldn't help myself.

I hoped the marks lasted longer.

"How's your leg?" Michael asked.

I could hear the sarcasm in his tone.

"Oh, this?" Steven asked, "It's almost more annoying than you are."

Michael chuckled, "Clever."

Steven glared at him before turning his attention to me.

"Mayren?"

"No," Michael snapped, "You don't get to talk to her."

Steven tried to ignore him, but Michael stepped in front of me.

"I don't know what possessed you into thinking any of this is okay," Michael stated.

Steven sighed.

"I wouldn't have to resort to this if Mayren would just fucking talk to me."

"Dude," Michael said, "Can't you take a fucking hint?"

I stepped to the side to see the glare Steven aimed at Michael.

"You want to talk about hints?" Steven hissed.

"Is there a problem in here?"

When did Gus walk into the kitchen?

"Is there?" Michael asked.

"Fuck you," Steven grumbled.

Steven's eyes landed on me again.

"I'd really appreciate it if you gave me a chance," Steven said.

"I'd say she already gave you plenty," Gus stated.

Steven's gaze never left me.

"What did you do?" he asked.

I was confused.

"The fuck?" Gus asked, "What do you mean?"

Gus took several steps forward until he was standing next to Steven.

He glanced down at Steven's broken leg.

I could see the anxious look on Steven's face.

Gus was on his right side.

It was his right leg that was broken.

If only…

Steven stumbled a little to put more distance between him and Gus.

"Everything alright in here?"

A new voice startled me.

A hand rested on Gus's shoulder before I saw who it was.

"I'm sorry I missed you boys last time," he said, "What have you been up to?"

His dark brown eyes landed on me, and he made a face.

I wasn't sure if it was a negative thing yet.

His hand came up from Gus's shoulder to point at me.

"Benny's roommate?"

I nodded awkwardly.

"And my girlfriend," Michael stated.

The man's eyes went from me to Michael.

I could see the question in his gaze.

Why?

Who was this again?

"Her name is Ren," Michael stated, "Ren, this is Benny's father."

My head snapped upright to stare him in the eye.

Benny's father?

I wouldn't have recognized him based on the portrait in their living room.

His hair is longer than it was.

He looks a little more aged as well.

A grin spread across his face.

"Brandon Harris," he said, extending his hand, "It's lovely to meet you."

My hand was up before I even thought about it.

Brandon is also Benny's brother's name.

"It's nice to finally meet you," I said.

My eyes were covered before I heard a response.

"Careful," Michael said, "I don't need another one of my girlfriends falling in love with you."

A laugh nearly made me jump.

It was genuine, and it reminded me of the way Gus laughed.

I think I get it now.

My hand came up to move Michael's hand out of my face.

"It's true," Michael said, "I think it was my second girlfriend ever."

Mr. Harris laughed, "Is that the real reason you stopped bringing girls over?"

"Was it even a secret?" Michael asked.

"In his defense," Gus said, "He is a stud."

Benny's dad nudged Gus, "You're one to talk."

I could see that he genuinely liked Gus, even though Bailee obviously didn't.

Gus glanced away, trying to hide his blush.

"In fact," Mr. Harris said, "I'm surrounded by handsome young men."

Then his eyes went to me.

"And a beautiful young lady."

"Seriously?" Michael sighed.

I glared at Michael.

"Are you saying she isn't beautiful?" Steven asked.

It was actually funny to hear him ask.

"Ren's a beauty," Mr. Harris said, "Do you even need to ask?"

"Brandon needs to quit flirting with my girl," Michael said.

He completely ignored Steven.

"Michael," Mr. Harris said, "Honesty isn't the same as flirting."

"Lying is?" Michael asked.

Mr. Harris's cheeks flushed red.

"That isn't what I meant," he stammered.

I found myself grinning.

He reminded me a lot of Gus.

Loud and boastful, but secretly shy as fuck.

"It's okay," I said, "I don't mind a little flirting."

Mr. Harris groaned, "See what you did Michael?"

I heard Michael laugh, and it made my stomach flutter.

"I did no such thing," Michael stated, "Maybe you need to keep your flirty attitude in check."

Benny's dad awkwardly covered his face.

"Be nice," I nudged Michael.

I felt a little silly about being so terrified to meet this man.

Benny is a wonderful person. I can see that her father played a big part in that.

It made me wonder if there was a time in her life that her mother wasn't so harsh.

How did such a harsh woman get a guy like Mr. Harris?

"Anyway," Mr. Harris said, "Gustavo, how do you feel about helping me in the garage for a minute?"

My head snapped in Gus's direction.

"Gustavo?" I asked.

He nodded, "That's my name."

I think he realized after a few minutes of me staring at him questioningly that I had no idea that his name was anything other than Gus.

"Wait," Gus sighed, "You didn't know?"

"No one ever said it," I admitted.

"Ouch," Michael said, "Gustavo."

Gus glared at Michael.

"Lead the way Mr. H," Gus said.

Mr. Harris led Gus through the kitchen to a side door.

"Really?" Steven asked, "You didn't even know his name?"

"Gus doesn't like his name either," Michael stated, "So we don't use it."

I glanced at Michael to see the frown on his face.

I wanted to ask why, but it didn't feel right.

Did I have a reason to not like my name?

Maybe someone will tell me later.

It took me a minute to register that we were alone again.

Alone with Steven.

I felt his eyes on me, and I didn't like it.

"Mayren," Steven said, "Please, just give me a minute."

I didn't want to talk to him.

"Why?" I asked.

He opened his mouth to respond, but I noticed his eyes shift to Michael before shutting.

"Something wrong?" Michael asked.

"Can you give us a minute?" Steven asked.

He sounded irritated. Actually, both of them did.

"Why?" I asked again.

"Mayren," Steven sighed.

"Ren," Michael snapped, "How many times does she have to ask you not to call her that?"

"It's her name," Steven snapped back.

"And I don't want to hear it," I stated, "You keep asking me for a chance when you won't even listen to the one thing I ask you not to do?"

Steven stared back at me, surprised.

Honestly, he looked a little stupid.

"I just don't understand," Steven said, "It's your name. What changed?"

I glared at him.

"Does it even matter?" I asked.

He made a face before a smug smile formed on his face.

"You used to love it when I called you Mayren."

"I changed," I said flatly.

He wanted me to get mad. I could see it in his eyes.

They were challenging me.

"Maybe a little on the outside," Steven stated, "But at our core, we never really change."

"Maybe," I said.

I refused to be the girl I was before.

I couldn't revert to that sad state.

I don't think I could survive all of that again.

"I refuse to call you by any other name," Steven stated, "You're Mayren."

I wasn't really sure what to say to that.

"Then expect her to ignore you," Michael said, "Dumbass."

Steven glared at him.

"What the fuck do you know?" Steven demanded, "You wish you knew the Mayren I did."

"No," Michael said, "I think I'm good. Thanks."

I felt a dropping sensation in my stomach.

Did he just say he didn't want to know me before?

Honestly, I don't think I could really blame him for that.

"Wow," Steven said, "You're a real catch."

Michael let out a low chuckle, "Do you even pay attention?"

Steven was confused.

"Ren changed," Michael stated.

"Clearly," Steven said.

"I'd rather know her when she knows who she is," Michael said, "But if I was lucky enough to know her before, you'd have never gotten anywhere near her."

Steven looked a little flustered to hear that.

He wasn't the only one. The butterflies in my stomach were starting to get a little too wild.

"And that's a promise," Michael added.

"Bullshit," Steven said.

Michael grinned.

"You poor thing," Michael said, "Here you are, begging her just to talk to you."

Steven glared at him, "No."

"You want me to make you feel worse?" Michael asked.

"Fuck you," Steven hissed.

Michael simply shook his head.

"You beg her," Michael leaned in closer to Steven, "But she begs me."

Steven pushed Michael away from him.

"Don't fucking lie," Steven spat.

Michael didn't say anything, he only stared back at him.

Steven's eyes went from him to search my face for the answer he was looking for.

"You're joking," Steven finally said.

"I'm not," Michael said, "And just so you know, Ren will never let you fuck her."

Steven's face went red.

"She said she would give me another chance," Steven snapped, "But she isn't even trying."

"Why should she give you a second chance?" Michael asked, "After what you did."

"Because that's what you're supposed to do when you love somebody," Steven said, "Even if they fuck up, as long as they try to make things right. Isn't that only fair?"

"What?" Michael tried to fight a laugh, "Love? Who?"

"She said she loved me," Steven said, "Did she ever say that to you?"

I wasn't sure if I ever told Steven if I loved him or not.

I don't remember ever saying it.

No, there was once.

It felt a little like I was splashed with ice-cold water.

I remembered the only time I ever said it to him.

It didn't come out of my mouth willingly.

"And I loved her," Steven admitted, "I just didn't know what the fuck to do about how I felt."

Michael cocked his head to the side.

He wasn't saying anything.

"I never told her that I loved her," Steven said, "But I do."

No. There was no way.

I shook my head.

"You loved the way I made you feel," I stated.

"Maybe," Steven said.

He didn't even hesitate to agree with me.

"It may have started that way," he said, "But I don't like the idea of you with someone who can't love you."

"That isn't up to you," I said.

"As long as I'm here," Steven pointed at the ground, "I'm not going to stop trying to prove to you how I feel about you."

I didn't like this.

"What about how I feel?" I asked.

"How you feel?" he asked, "You said you loved me at one point. Has that really changed?"

I couldn't help the glare I directed at Steven.

"Do you remember what happened right after I said it?" I asked.

I could practically see the gears in his head turning. He was trying to remember what happened.

"So, you remember that," I said, "But not what you did right after?"

It took longer than I thought for it to register on his face.

His eyes went wide, but he tried to recover before I noticed.

It was already too late for that.

"You remember now?" I asked.

It was the same night he saw my thighs.

"I fucked up," Steven said, "You need to forgive me."

I frowned.

I need to do what?

"She doesn't have to do anything," Michael stated.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Steven asked, "If you love someone, you forgive them."

What the fuck?

"I forgive you for being difficult, Mayren," Steven said, "I know you're just upset."

I wasn't sure where this anger came from, but it threatened to choke me.

"That isn't how shit works," Michael said.

Michael sounded just as angry as I was.

"You're one to talk," Steven spat.

What the fuck was even happening?

Why was Steven acting like we were still together?

You forgive the people you love?

"You forgave your mom, didn't you?" Steven asked, "Even after everything she did to you?"

"Steven," Michael said through clenched teeth.

"Does Mayren know what she did to you?" Steven asked.

Michael moved forward to get in Steven's face.

"You were told to behave yourself," Steven said smugly, "Back the fuck up."

What kind of game was he trying to play right now?

"You think she wants to hear you talk shit?" Michael asked, "Go ahead."

What?

Even Steven looked a little confused.

"What were you going to say?" Michael asked.

I could hear the hostility in his question.

"Have you told her?" Steven asked.

His eyes landed on me.

Why did he care what I did or didn't know?

"No," Steven chuckled to himself, "You're too much of a pussy for that."

I was close to losing my shit.

He needed to leave Michael the fuck alone.

"Go on then," Michael said.

"Does she know how brutally your mom beat the fuck out of you?" Steven asked.

Michael didn't respond.

Benny said most of the scars on his body were because of his mother.

I just wasn't sure how.

Did she really beat him?

How bad was it?

"What's your plan?" I asked, "After telling me that?"

Steven made a face.

He clearly expected me to be shocked or disgusted.

"You haven't seen it yet," Steven stated, "But he's fucking covered in scars."

I stared back at Steven.

"I know."

"What?" Steven laughed nervously, "You're lying."

"Didn't he already tell you?" I asked, "I begged for it."

I could see the veins in Steven's forehead.

"This better be a fucking joke," Steven hissed.

"And if it isn't?" I asked.

Steven glanced at Michael.

"She deserves to know," Steven said, "Why you're as fucked up as you are."

My gaze went to Michael.

He just glared at Steven.

Michael was trying to keep himself under control.

"His mother did a lot more than torture him," Steven said.

He sounded so proud.

"Steven," I said.

He smiled lightly at me.

"He may not hit you," I stated, "But I will."

Steven's expression twisted.

He was confused.

He was hurt.

The last emotion was anger.

"You won't," he said, "You love me, don't you?"

He was serious?

"I don't," I said.

"You said you did," Steven said, "Don't lie."

"You clearly only remember what you want to," I stated.

"The fuck is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.

"You made me say it," I snapped, "You told me if I didn't tell you I loved you, you'd ditch me at the party."

"That's not what happened," Steven shook his head.

It's precisely what happened.

He made all sorts of promises, but his whole attitude changed when we were around people.

They were angry at him for bringing me with him.

He took his anger out on me.

"You remember the parts you want," I stated.

He shook his head, "You still said it."

This was a joke.

"Yeah, I did," I said, "But I don't love you."

He glared at me.

"You made me dependent on you." I said, "You were good to me sometimes, but you treated me like shit more often than not."

Steven laughed.

It sounded angry.

"Are you saying he treats you any better?" Steven asked.

I could see it on his face.

He thinks Michael treats me worse than he ever has.

"We don't always get along," I stated, "But Michael is a thousand times better than you ever were."

I could feel Michael's gaze on me.

"I don't know why you wanted me to love you," I said, "Or why you're pulling this shit now."

"I love you," Steven interrupted.

"No," I said, "You don't."

"You don't get to tell me how I feel," Steven argued.

"What you're feeling isn't love," I stated, "You didn't give a shit when I left. You only care now because Michael and I are together."

Steven sighed, "Stop fucking lying."

"Why are you so sure I'm lying?" I demanded.

"Because look at you," Steven growled, "Look at him."

I've had enough of this.

"You say you love her," Michael said, "But you constantly tell her how ugly you think she is."

"It's true," Steven snapped, "She doesn't deserve you."

I saw the confusion on Michael's face.

"Before you say something stupid," Steven hissed, "I'm not fucking gay."

"Could have fooled me," I said.

"He deserves someone better than you," Steven glared at me, "He needs a good girl to help put him back together."

Seriously?

What the actual fuck.

"You're a real fucking idiot," Michael said, "And you clearly don't know Ren as well as you think you do."

Huh?

"What?" Steven asked.

"I don't know who she was then," Michael said, "But the Ren here, now, Is more than I deserve."

"Don't pretend like she's this good girl," Steven said, "She was by herself for a reason."

"Because no one tried to know her," Michael stated, "You all saw a flaw and deemed her defective."

"She was a cunt to everybody!" Steven shouted, "She's a fucking liar!"

"Steven," Michael said quietly, "I don't care what you say about me, but shut the fuck up about her."

"Jesus," Steven said, "How delusional are you?"

Michael didn't respond this time.

"You clearly enjoy getting fucked around with," Steven stated. "Is that why you're always getting blitzed out of your mind?"

"It's my problem," Michael stated, "Not hers."

"If she's with you, for real," Steven said, "Then it is."

"Since she's been with me," Michael said, "I haven't."

Hasn't what?

I remember going to the motel with Benny.

He was more than fucked up.

"I just don't get it," Steven said, "Is it a type thing?"

He ignored what Michael said entirely.

His full attention was on me again.

"What?" I asked.

"If you hated me as much as you're making it seem," Steven said, "Then why did you stay?"

I made it a point to look around the room.

"I clearly didn't stay," I stated.

"You told me all the time that you had feelings for me," he said, "At one point, you said I gave you butterflies."

How do I sever this relationship for good?

Why did he insist on me being with him but not with Michael?

Why was he such a shitty person?

"Sorry," I said, "But the butterflies you used to give me have been fumigated."

I couldn't read the expression on his face this time.

He cleared his throat before regaining his previously bothered expression.

"This conversation is clearly pointless," Steven stated, "I'll try again later."

"Or don't," Michael said.

Steven stared me down before he limped away.

He wasn't even using his crutch right.

He took a few steps, then set it down.

I felt relieved once he was finally out of my sight.

Exhaustion slammed into me despite barely being awake for a few hours.

"Are you okay?" Michael asked softly.

I didn't look at him.

I wasn't sure what I'd feel when I did.

"I'm tired," I admitted.

"Yeah," Michael said, "I feel it too."

It was quiet for a while as we stood there.

It felt like it should be awkward.

I was too tired to feel anything else.

"I know we just came back down," Michael said, "But we should go back to the room."

Is he seriously having dirty thoughts right now?

I finally allowed myself to look at him.

His eyebrows were scrunched.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He only shook his head.

"What do you need?" I asked.

He looked from the sliding glass door to the arch to the living room.

"A door," he said.

"Okay," I said.

He turned around, and I didn't hesitate to follow him.

I wanted to take a long nap.

Honestly, I wanted to wake up when it was time to go home.

"Ren?"

I stopped when I heard Benny call my name.

She stood in the archway that connected the living room to the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I need a minute," Michael said.

"Then take a minute," Benny said, "Ren should come outside with us."

I looked back at Michael, and I wasn't sure what to do.

"What's going on outside?" I asked.

"Swimming," Benny said.

She sounded a little hopeful.

I forgot about swimming.

I wish I wasn't wearing my bathing suit.

Speaking of bathing suits.

Holy shit.

She was wearing a classic black bikini top with high-waisted bottoms.

The sides were linked together by strands of fabric.

"You look hot," I said.

She glanced down at herself before grinning.

"I was thinking the same thing about you," she said.

"You picked the bathing suit, remember?" I asked.

She nodded, "My favorite part is the top."

I nodded.

I liked the top too.

I noticed Benny's eyes glance past me.

"Is he alright?" she asked.

"We had a run-in with Steven," I admitted, "We both just need a minute."

She nodded quickly, "Go ahead. I can stall for a bit."

Really?

Just a minute before, she was telling Michael to go alone.

"Thank you," I said.

She grinned, "I got you babe."

"Thanks babe," I grinned back.

Michael sighed before he headed up the stairs.

I turned to follow him up the stairs.

Part of me was worried that she would press more about what happened with Steven.

Maybe she plans to ask me later.

Michael headed straight for his room, and he didn't say anything until we were both shut inside.

I watched him turn the lock on the knob.

What was happening?

He stood there staring at me.

"I'm sorry," he said.

It was strange to hear him talk. It felt like we stood there for a while.

"It's okay," I said.

He shook his head.

What was bothering him?

"Steven said something he shouldn't have."

He said a lot of shit he shouldn't have.

"About what?" I asked.

He stared at the ground.

I could see his jaw flex as if fighting to stop the words from leaving his mouth.

"Michael?"

"About my mother."

About the beatings?

"I'm sorry," I said, "That he told me."

He met my gaze.

Why did he look confused?

"You did nothing wrong."

It felt a bit like it did.

He fights so hard to keep stuff about his life a secret.

"I'm sorry I found out before you were ready for me to know," I said.

He shook his head, "No."

"No?"

"He said it to scare you," Michael stated, "It's not something you need to feel sorry about."

This felt strange.

The last time I learned something he didn't want me to know, he got mad.

This conversation didn't make me feel like he was.

"Is it true?" I asked.

He glared at me.

There it was.

"Is what true?"

He asked me about forgiveness last night.

Was it for his mother?

"Is it true that she beat you?" I asked.

I was scared to hear the truth.

Part of me was mad that I even asked.

"She was sick," Michael said.

I didn't expect him to dodge the question.

"That's not what I asked," I stated.

I knew that she was sick.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked.

Why was he getting so defensive?

Either she beat the hell out of him, or she didn't.

"Why are you avoiding the question?"

His head cocked to the side.

"What happened after you told Steven you loved him?"

What?

"I asked you first," I said.

"What happened?"

"It was the same day he saw my thighs for the first time," I said.

Michael stared at me.

I could see that he wanted to ask something else.

"Spit it out," I said.

His brows furrowed as he glared at the bed.

"When you said it," he hesitated, "When you said you loved him, did you mean it?"

I shook my head.

There was no doubt in my mind.

I was just afraid that he would leave me if I didn't do what he wanted.

It wasn't love.

"I didn't," I said.

"Then why did you say it at all?"

Michael sounded angry.

"We've talked about this already," I sighed. "I thought if I didn't do what he wanted, he would leave me."

"You should have let him leave."

"I should have," I admitted, "But at the time, I was scared to be all alone."

It was quiet for a little while.

I wasn't sure if I should break the silence, but I decided to wait until he was ready to talk.

He met my eyes again before frowning.

"She did," he said quietly.

I barely heard him.

I had to make sure I didn't move, even if every cell in my body screamed for me to run to him.

"More often than not," he said, "She had no idea who I was."

Fuck.

"To her, I was just an ungrateful child," he took in a shaky breath, "I did everything I was supposed to, but the voices sometimes convinced her I was trying to hurt her."

I felt my bottom lip tremble.

Don't cry. He's finally telling you something.

Keep your shit together.

"I understand now that she was trying to protect herself," he said, "But when I was a kid, I was just scared that I couldn't do anything to make her happy."

I wasn't sure what to say.

I think he saw it on my face. He shook his head.

"I can't," he said, "I can't talk about more than that."

More?

There was more?

I closed the distance between us, but I didn't touch him.

I looked up at him as he stared at the ground.

"You don't have to say any more," I whispered.

He nodded.

"Thank you for telling me," I said.

His eyes flickered to mine.

"I was worried that she was the one that hurt you," I admitted.

He didn't respond.

"What do you want to do?" I asked.

The initial plan was to come in here to escape.

I was worried that he might want to escape me now.

I could see the struggle on his face.

He wasn't sure what he wanted.

"What do you need?" I asked softly.

He's been there for me. I wanted to be here for him.

His head shook frantically.

My hands came up to hold his face still.

"Use your words," I said, "What do you need?"

His eyes locked with mine.

The dark sapphire always reminded me of the ocean.

Not the waves.

The deep, dark, scary part.

"I don't want to think," he breathed, "I, I can't."

"Okay," I said.

I had to think for a minute. I had to process his words.

He didn't want to think?

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

He shook his head again.

"I can't read your mind," I said, "If you need something from me, you need to tell me."

It finally registered. His words.

He drank and took pills when he didn't want to think.

He also mentioned sex didn't require much thought.

"Did you bring any condoms with you?" I asked.

His eyes snapped to meet mine.

"What?" he asked.

"You mentioned before," I said, "Sex doesn't require much thinking."

He shook his head as if fighting with the thought.

"Why not?" I asked.

I was trying to help.

"Just stop," he said.

He moved back and forced my hands away from his face.

It felt like he was rejecting me.

It's not a good feeling.

"I don't want to have sex right now," he said.

It was strange to hear him say that.

He almost always talked about sex.

I wanted to ask why.

I couldn't bring myself to do it.

He stared at me as if waiting for me to ask.

My gaze dropped to the ground.

Was it me?

Was he just really not in the mood?

"If we have sex right now," he said, "You'd be like the others."

Out of every possible reason he could give me, that was not one I expected to come out of his mouth.

It was sweet.

It caused the butterflies in my belly to flurry.

"Okay," I said.

He looked a bit surprised.

"You're not going to argue?"

I shook my head.

He stood there a little awkwardly.

"Is there something else I can do to help?" I asked.

I stared at him as he thought about it.

I waited for several long minutes until he spoke again.

"I do have an idea," he mumbled, "If you're okay with it."

I didn't need to think about it. I nodded.

"What is it?"

"Last night," he said quietly, "When you held me, it felt nice."

"Okay."

"It doesn't bother you?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"You sure?"

I think he was waiting for me either change my mind or make fun of him.

"I'm sure," I said, "I asked what I could do, so let me do it.

I moved away from him to lay on the bed.

"Come on," I said.

I made sure I was comfortable, but he never moved.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

He seemed anxious.

"Michael," I said, "Come over here."

I'm not too sure, but I think I saw him flinch.

He made his way to the bed before kneeling on the mattress.

His arm didn't let him crawl over to me.

I felt a little bad that I didn't lay closer.

He sort of flopped on his side.

"You stay," I said, "I'll move closer."

He nodded.

I used my elbow to nudge myself closer to him.

Before I even laid back down, he buried his face into my shoulder.

After a few awkward adjustments, I was lying a little on my side so that I could hold him closer to me.

His left arm was between us. I had to be careful not to hold him too tight.

My left arm was under his neck.

It felt a bit strange, but I loved these moments with him.

I just wish it wasn't because of something bad.

He let out a satisfied sigh once we were settled.

My right hand went from gently rubbing his back to softly scratching the back of his neck.

I felt his face push closer into my shoulder.

"Try to get some rest," I said.

Even though I said that to him, I think I was the one about to pass out.

I tried to fight the drowsiness.

I wanted to enjoy more time with him.

My fingers went through his hair.

I realized as I held him close to me that Gus was right.

Michael was cold.

Well, either he's cold, or I just run hot.

Let's just say that it's a little bit of both.

I'd warm him up whenever he asked.

Even though I didn't say it out loud, it was a promise.