Thwarted - 33. Chapter Thirty-Three

“You doing okay?” Mark knew leaving his parents hadn’t been easy for Trey and had kept quiet as long as he could, but it had been nearly an hour.

“Hmm?” Trey looked over and smiled, but Mark could tell it was forced. “Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.” Trey turned back to the window.

“I left my number with your parents. If they need any help or anything, all they need to do is call.” He’d felt like it was the least he could do.

Trey turned back to him, but this time it was a real smile.

“I know you do and I appreciate it. You’re sure you don’t mind going to help them with the new computer?” Trey snickered. “Mom and Dad aren’t the most tech savvy people.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I minded.”

Mark didn’t know what else to say and focused instead on driving. Another twenty minutes passed before the feeling of being watched made him look over.

Trey leaned back against the door and watched him, his arms crossed over his chest and his lips in a flat line as he studied Mark.

“What?” Mark wasn’t sure he liked the way Trey was looking at him.

“Nothing really. It just seems like nothing ever fazes you.” Trey shrugged. “I just can’t help but wonder if there’s a side to you that I haven’t seen yet.”

Mark tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He didn’t like the sound of that.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” His voice came out harsher than he intended but it was too late to take the words back.

“I think the only person I’ve ever seen you upset with is your sister. Then there’s my parents, this last week is the first time you’ve met them, yet you’re willing to basically drop everything to come up here and help them out.” Trey shrugged again. “I just find it odd is all. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as calm and collected as you.”

Mark gritted his teeth and reminded himself that Trey had to be stressed out about having left his parents and his upcoming deployment. He didn’t want to get into it with Trey while he was driving, but it was hard to keep his mouth shut. He could understand why Trey was trying to pick a fight; it didn’t mean he had to feed into it. Trey apparently wasn’t done yet.

“You know, I wouldn’t blame you if you decided that a year apart is too much to deal with.”

Mark jerked in shock and the truck swerved on the road. Thank god there were no vehicles next to him or he’d probably have hit them before he managed to get himself back under control. He’d hoped to wait until they got home to figure out what the hell was going through Trey’s mind, but whatever it was couldn’t wait. He took the next exit, uncaring that it led nowhere, and pulled the truck as far off the road as he could before jerking the gearshift into park and unhooking his seatbelt. He chanced one look at Trey before opening his door and climbing out. He slammed the door and walked away from the truck. He needed to get himself under control before he faced Trey again. He wasn’t surprised to see his hands shaking.

Mark tried to understand. He knew how stressful things got just before a deployment. He knew all about second guessing and wondering what was going to happen. Despite his personal knowledge, Trey’s words and behavior was still like a knife to his heart. He heard the door to the truck open and shut and tensed as the sound of footsteps approached.

“Mark?”

“Just give me a minute.” He couldn’t face Trey just yet; he needed to make sure he had his emotions under control.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” Trey rested a hand against Mark’s back.

Mark turned around.

“You don’t have to apologize. If that’s what you feel….”

He couldn’t complete the thought.

“It’s not.” Trey sighed. “I didn’t think it would be this hard, you know?” Trey turned and walked back to the truck. Rather than get back in, he lowered the tailgate and hopped up.

They needed to get back, but Mark didn’t want to finish the drive with whatever was going on hanging over their heads. He’d take whatever time Trey needed to get this worked out. He walked over and settled next to Trey.

“I do know.” Mark rested his elbows on his knees and laced his fingers together. He wanted to reach out to Trey, but until they got this straightened out, he wasn’t sure it would be welcomed. “I’ve been there and I know how stressful it gets.”

“I know. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.” Trey really did sound apologetic. “You’re just always so calm, like nothing bothers you.”

“Plenty bothers me.” Mark shrugged. “Let’s go through one thing at a time. I know it’s hard to know that you’re not going to be here to help your parents out. I love you, if I can alleviate a little bit of your worries by helping them out, then that’s what I’ll do. I’m not perfect, and maybe I’m being a little bit selfish.”

“How so?” Trey turned his head and looked at him.

“Maybe it’s too soon to be thinking like this, but we’re talking about moving in together when you get back and making a life together. In essence, your parents will be my in-laws. I don’t have a great relationship with my own parents, mainly my dad, but I’d like to have a good relationship with my in-laws.” Mark smiled at Trey. “Plus, knowing they can call me will ease your mind somewhat. You’ll have enough to worry about without having to worry about not being around to help your parents if they need it.”

“It’s not selfish.” Trey reached over and rested one of his hands on Mark’s knee. “For what it’s worth, my parents like you. We talked about it last night.”

“I’m glad.” Mark sighed. “As far as a year apart being too much to deal with….”

“Don’t.” Trey leaned against Mark’s side. “I didn’t mean that. I’m just frustrated. I don’t want to go and I took it out on you.”

“I’ll admit that at times it seems like things have gone too smoothly for us”—Mark chuckled—“but I’m sure that eventually we’ll fight, all couples do. We’ll work through it.”

“Yeah, I know.” Trey slid off the tailgate and moved in front of Mark. He pushed his way between Mark’s knees. “I am sorry for upsetting you.”

Mark nodded.

“It’s okay, I do understand.” He reached out and rested his hands on Trey’s hips. “You ready to head for home?”

“In a minute.” Trey lowered his head and brushed his lips against Mark’s.

Mark wrapped his arms around Trey and pulled him closer as he returned the kiss. His lips parted under Trey’s. Trey eventually pulled back and smiled down at him.

“Let’s head for home.”

“Works for me.” Mark gave him one final peck and grinned. “Besides, the side of the road probably isn’t the best place for making up.”

“Making up sounds good to me!” Trey stepped back. “Well? What are you waiting for?”

“Not a damn thing.” Mark slid off the tailgate. He was going to make the most of every second they had together before Trey left.

He just needed to get them home.