Page 60 of Don't Leave Me

I smiled because his scowl only got meaner.

“You shouldn’t be in my room at all. Are you stupid? I’ve got the flu and you’ve got asthma. If you get sick, it could be dangerous. Get the fuck out of here right now.”

That made me smile even more. I thought about telling him. That last night he’d begged and pleaded with me to stay, but he would just say he was out of it and it didn’t mean anything. Part of me knew that, but I didn’t want him to say it so soon.

The door opened, and I turned and beamed at George. “His fever broke and he’s back to being a jerk.”

“I’m not a jerk. You’re an idiot for hanging around someone with the flu. I can’t believe you let her stay here,” Marc accused George.

“Relax, she’s had her flu shot,” George said, as he tested Marc’s forehead with his palm. “Fever broke. Good. Now it’s just a nasty cough. I’m going to go make you some eggs.”

“I hate eggs,” Marc bitched.

“Tough. You’ll eat them. Go home, Peanut, and try to get some sleep. He’s fine now, you don’t need to hover.”

“You didn’t need her hovering anyway,” Marc grumbled, but it was as if the energy he’d woken up with was suddenly sapped. He coughed and fell back on the bed.

I followed George out of the room and decided I would let him feed Marc the eggs. I was tired, so I would go home and try to get some sleep.

He’d said the words. I’d heard them. Loud and clear.Stay. Don’t leave. Love you.

Then he pushed me out of his bed this morning.

That sounded about right for us.