Chapter 49
“I love you,” Gerry whispered.
Mark reached back, pulled Gerry’s arm around him and nudged closer. “I know, love.”
Gerry opened his eyes. “Say it back.”
“Go to sleep,” Mark said around another yawn. “You’ve been bitching you were tired all evening—”
“Say it back,” Gerry said again. Was it so much to ask for? Was it really that hard to say? Gerry firmed his jaw and insisted. “You ask me to say it all the time and you never say it back.”
Mark threaded their fingers together. “You’re here, aren’t you? Beside me in my bed? Why do you always reach for more, Fawn? Why can’t you just be happy with what you have?”
Though the room was silent, all Gerry could hear was the sound of Phil’s voice. “Maxx doesn’t need you anymore…Everybody knows…Anyone in this room…You…are…redundant…”
He pulled back, suddenly nauseated. He didn’t get to move far, though. Mark clasped his wrist and drew him back. Then Mark spoke, in a voice so low Gerry barely heard him. “I love you, Fawn.”11