Thwarted - 36. Chapter Thirty-Six

Mark watched as Trey slid the key into the lock and let them into his apartment. He’d stayed at Jackie’s as long as he could bear, but there was only so much he could take. When the accusations had started he’d known he had to get out of there, before his sister had said something she’d regret later. Well, something else she’d regret.

“You okay?” Trey pushed the door open and stepped aside, allowing Mark to go first before following him in.

Mark shrugged.

“She was just hurting, she didn’t mean it, probably didn’t even know what she was saying.”

Mark felt Trey’s hand on his back, guiding him to the couch. He dutifully sat and looked up at his boyfriend as he tried to figure out what to say. Whether Jackie had meant to say it or not, she was right. If it hadn’t been for Jackie’s closeness with him, their father probably would have called her as soon as their mother had been admitted to the hospital. At least then Jackie would have had the chance to be by her side when the second heart attack hit and took her from them. Or so Jackie had claimed.

Mark wasn’t completely convinced their dad would have called her, but he couldn’t say he wouldn’t have either. He rested his head against the back of the couch and swallowed hard. He’d tried to comfort his sister, but she’d been inconsolable. Mark closed his eyes. He’d hoped they could be there for each other, but since he’d just seemed to make it worse, he’d left. His sister had Brent, she didn’t need him, and he had Trey, at least until morning. He hoped.

“What do you need me to do?” Trey’s hands dropped on his shoulders.

Mark opened his eyes. He hadn’t heard Trey move behind him. He didn’t know the answer to the other man’s question and decided to ask one of his own.

“Do you need to head back to the base?” He thought he remembered Trey saying he had until morning, but he couldn’t be sure.

“No, I don’t have to report until morning.” Trey squeezed his shoulders. “I wish there was a way I could get out of going.”

“You can’t, we both know that.” Mark shrugged.

He wanted Trey to stay too, but wanting him to stay wouldn’t change the facts. Trey was deploying, nothing he could say or do was going to change it. He pulled free of Trey’s grip and stood.

“Do you mind if I go lay down for a little bit? I’ve got a bit of a headache.” Not only did his head hurt, but his eyes hurt and he felt exhausted. He knew he should be making arrangements to go home for his mom’s funeral, but there wasn’t much for him to do. His dad wouldn’t welcome his interference, and according to Jackie, everything had already been done. All that was left for him to do was make hotel arrangements and drive down.

“You want company?”

“Sure, if you want.” Mark cringed and turned to Trey. He hadn’t meant for that to come out sounding like he didn’t want Trey with him. “I’m sorry, I know you’re just trying to help and I’m glad you’re here.”

“Quit apologizing.” Trey motioned towards the bedroom. “Go get in bed. I’ll grab you something for your headache and be right in.”

Mark nodded and did as he was told. He was in bed, clad in pajama bottoms, when Trey came in. He downed the pills Trey handed him using the water he supplied and watched as Trey stripped down to his boxer-briefs.

“Crap, I forgot my phone.” Mark started to get out of bed but Trey stopped him.

“I’ll grab it.” Trey disappeared and was back within seconds. He set Mark’s phone on the nightstand before crawling in behind him.

Mark bit his lip to keep in the sob when Trey’s arms wrapped around him and pulled him back against his chest. He’d thought he was all cried out, but apparently he was wrong. He felt the first tears trickle down his cheeks as Trey’s grip tightened and he felt lips press to his neck.

“Try and get some rest, but when you get up you are going to eat something.”

Mark couldn’t speak past the lump in his throat and simply nodded. He wasn’t hungry but he doubted Trey would accept that. Mark relaxed against Trey. He would worry about it later, after he had a bit of a nap.

***

Mark sat up and ran his hand over his face. Trey must have been up for a while; the bed next to him was empty and cold. For all he knew, Trey may have only stayed with him long enough for him to fall asleep. Mark swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. He could hear Trey in the living room and grabbed a fresh shirt from his closet before going out to join him.

“Hey.” Mark stopped when he saw Trey on the phone and grimaced as he mouthed an apology. Trey shook his head and smiled.

“Mark just woke up so I’ll let you go.” Trey paused. “Love you too.” Trey hung up the phone and stood. He walked over and wrapped his arms around Trey. “Hey babe, you sleep okay?”

“Yeah.” Mark glanced at the clock on the stove. He’d slept just over four hours. “I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”

“You needed it.”

“Who was on the phone?” Mark pressed a light kiss to Trey’s lips before pulling back slightly.

“My mom.”

Mark tried not to wince. He could see the apology in Trey’s eyes and hear it in his voice. The last thing he wanted was Trey to feel guilty for talking to his mom. Mark managed a small smile.

“How’s she doing?”

“Okay, she was actually calling to check on you.” Trey took his hand and led him over to the couch. “I told her about your mom when I checked in with her earlier. She wanted to make sure you were doing okay.”

“I hope you told her I was fine.” It was bad enough Trey was going to be worrying about him; he didn’t need anyone else to be.

“Are you really?” Trey cocked his head to the side.

“I will be.” Mark squeezed Trey’s hand, trying to reassure him. “I know you’re worried about me, but I really will be okay.”

“I wish I could believe that.” Trey glanced away.

Before Mark could answer, someone knocked on the door. He looked over at Trey.

“I’m not expecting anyone.”

“Huh.” Mark stood and made his way over to the door. He glanced through the peephole and froze. He glanced briefly at Trey before reaching for the doorknob and pulling the door open to admit his unexpected visitors.

“Diane, Gary, what are you doing here?”