Or sooner. Preferably much sooner.
“It’s been the best—the best two years of my life, love,” Sam said softly, bringing Ollie back to the present.
Ollie swallowed hard and then ran his free hand through his hair. “Mine too. I just—I wish... I wish you were here.”
“I-I should be there, with you. Not twenty-five hundred miles away. Not...”
“Soon. It’ll be soon.”
Ollie just wanted to... hug him, kiss him, feel the wonderful comfort of his boyfriend’s embrace. And he wanted to finally,finallytell Sam those three words:I love you. He was ready. Really, actually ready this time. And he knew it. He’d been... practicing. First in writing and then out loud. Something Dr. Solvang had suggested.
But he wanted to tell Sam in person, not over the phone.
So he’d have to wait.
“Hopefully soon. I mean—” Sam made some sort of sound, almost but not quite a groan, and Ollie heard rustling, like maybe Sam was turning over on his bed. Sam sighed before continuing. “I’m hoping it’s not too much longer, but... you remember what the doctors said. It’s still... probably three or four weeks until he’s even allowed to drive. Jaz is here too, of course, but—”
“I know, Sam. I know,” Ollie said gently, and he closed his eyes. “And... and you know if I was sure I could make it through the trip alone... god, I’d... I’d be there with you right now. I’d hug you and I’d hold you and let you know how much I miss you and tell you that—that I understand and that... I’m okay. That we’re okay.”
He heard a soft huff from Sam.
“God, I love you so much, Oll,” Sam said, his voice a bit muffled. There was a quiet sniffle on Sam’s end. “I’m just so happy to hear you say that. I’m so... I can’t wait to see you.”
Ollie wiped a tear from his cheek. “Soon.”
“Yeah.”
“And until then, you’re gonna have to get used to taking those selfies. Because you still owe me.” He laughed, and he heard Sam sniffle again and then laugh as well.
“I’ll try, love. I’ll try.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow? Text me after Barry’s appointment?”
“It’ll be early still,” Sam said.
“I’ll be up, I’m sure. I was hoping to go running again tomorrow morning.” Ollie sat up on the couch and rubbed his eyes. “It’s supposed to be warmer and sunny all day tomorrow.”
“Ah, okay. I will then. I’ll text.”
“Or you could even call,” Ollie suggested, and he pushed himself up off the couch and started toward the kitchen.
“I’ll call, then.” Sam’s voice was quiet, and Ollie felt a pang of sadness, just like he did every night when they were about to hang up. “I love you, Oll. So much.”
Ollie stopped just in front of the refrigerator and let out a sharp breath. It was almost hard to stop himself from saying it, from blurting out the “I love you” he was ready to say. But he reminded himself that he wanted to tell Sam in person. To look up into his boyfriend’s eyes, kiss him, see his smile. He swallowed again and then said, “I’ll... talk to you tomorrow. G-good night, Sam.”
“Good night, love.”
Reluctantly, Ollie hung up the phone, and no sooner had he stuffed it back in his pocket than he heard it buzz with a notification. Frowning, he pulled the phone back out and tapped on Sam’s name as it popped up.
Sam (8:58 p.m.):Tag, you’re it. Good night. Love you (a whole lot)
He sucked in a breath and then blinked back the rush of love that hit him as he enlarged the photo Sam had sent him. Sam was lying back against his pillow in his dimly lit bedroom, one arm behind his head, the other holding the phone. He was smiling—not the same smile as in his earlier photo, but one so full of love and tenderness, Ollie could feel it warming him. A few fresh tears fell, and he quickly reached up and wiped them away.
Ollie (9:00 p.m.):Your smile is like sunshine, Sam. Thank you. <3
Ollie (9:00 p.m.):Good night.
Chapter 26
