“And I like saying I love you a lot.”
“I want your love, Dr Martin.I don’t intend to lose a single drop of it.”
Chapter81
Martin
Iget out of the car and walk slowly up the drive.Before I can knock, the door opens, almost like it’s been waiting for me.
“Hey.”He smiles, tense.
“Hi.”
“Come on in.”
As I step inside, a wave of anxiety hits me.Being back here reminds me of how badly things ended last time.
His hands rest on my shoulders.“You’re nervous.”
“Nah.”
He leans in, his face inches from mine.
“Just a little bit.It’s strange to be here again.”
Jamie stands right in front of me.
“Last time…”
“I will never feel sorry enough for that morning,” he says.
I force a smile.
“I only treated you like shit because I felt like shit.I needed to unload everything on you.And I fucked up.I hurt you — in the worst way.
“It’s okay.It’s in the past now.”
“That time I told you that I wanted you here was because I wanted you in my bed.I didn’t know how to explain what I was feeling.I didn’t even know how to explain it to myself.But now I do.I have to tell you the truth.”
I nod, nervous.
“I want you in my life, Martin.”
“I want to be in your life, Jamie.”
He slides his hands along my face, draws me close, and kisses me.Instantly, I’m calm again.
“Now that we’ve cleared this up, how about a walk on the beach?It’s still light out, and the weather’s perfect.”
“Anything you want.”
“Anything I want, Doctor?”He takes a slow breath.“I already have it.”
We slipoff our shoes and walk quietly along the beach.Jamie pulls his sweatshirt hood over his head—whether to shield himself from the wind or to hide from sight, I’m not sure.
Ever since he came to my house that night and opened up about his life, he seems smaller, less intimidating, and far too fragile.He hasn’t played in two weeks.Officially, he has mono.I signed his medical certificate myself, and I just hope I won’t get in trouble for it.Unofficially, he’s completely broken, and I have no idea if or when he’ll recover.
He invited me over today.He wants to have dinner, and even though he didn’t say it, I know he hopes I’ll stay the night.
