“And you said we should move in together.”
“I…I could have said that, actually,” I say. I take in Mark’s dark eyes and soft smile. “What did you say back?”
“I said, I’d love to. And that it’s only allowed to be the two of us, no brothers allowed. Which you agreed to.”
“You took advantage of your drugged boyfriend to extort a promise?” Bethany asks, raising an eyebrow.
“My drugged boyfriend was trying to take advantage of me,” Mark says, his tone is smug. “Which I would have happily allowed if I wasn’t worried about him moving around too much.” He glances at Bethany only a second before his gaze darts back to my face. “Are you sore? Should I ask the doctors for more painkillers?”
I’m a little worried that more painkillers will mean more…trying to get into Mark’s pants. I’m not exactly in an appropriate place for that, especially with I’m sure dozens of people coming in and out every moment ready to hear me. “It’s not too bad,” I tell him. I look across the room at Eddie. He has a bandage covering his temple, and his eye is swollen up, almost entirely shut. “Eddie, I want to—”
“You’ve thanked me like ten times already,” Eddie smoothly interrupts. “You’ve told me I’m a great guy, that you really like me, and you’ve said it enough times to get Mark all pissed off with me just for being here.”
I turn to catch Mark giving Eddie a vaguely pissed off look.
“Mark.”
The expression vanishes from Mark’s face, and he turns a soft smile to me. “It’s okay, Kyle. I’m grateful to Eddie, too.”
“Not so grateful you haven’t told me to get lost every time Kyle falls back asleep,” Eddie says. He leans back on the couch, all relaxed, with Bethany at his side. He doesn’t seem one bit phased by the lethal glare Mark levels at him.
“Mark’s just mad because Kyle is thanking you instead of edging him,” Bethany says, voice sly.
Eddie grunts his agreement.
Oh god. The remark tells me everything I need to know about what I’ve been saying. And vague memories resurface of me asking Mark for a blowjob. I cover my face with a groan. “I don’t want anyone near me anymore when I’m on painkillers,” I complain.
“It’s okay, babe.” Mark squeezes my hand. “Bethany’s just teasing you. You’ve slept almost the entire time. You didn’t answer my question. You’re sore?”
I mean, I am. My leg throbs. I feel like I’m bruised everywhere, with different parts of my body aching. But it’s not too bad. Now that my drowsiness is wearing off, I’m able to compartmentalise the pain mainly to my leg, and it’s dull, not immediate. “A little.”
“I’ll get the doctor.” Mark stands.
I hum. “No, it’s not that bad. I’d rather eat something and have something to drink. Something sugary.”
“On it,” Mark promises quickly. He bends over the bed, planting a kiss on my forehead before straightening. “I’ll be two minutes, and I’ll tell Chris you’re awake. He was out talking to Damien.”
Bethany stands as Mark leaves the room and she claims the seat he vacated.
“You scared me,” she says.
“I know. I’m sorry.” I say. “Your boyfriend’s really cool.”
Eddie perks up. I think he loves any mention of being Bethany’s boyfriend. I’m going to say it every time we talk. I’m going to mention it every single chance I get.
“He has his moments,” Bethany agrees. “Your boyfriend, on the other hand, is a menace.”
“I’m sure he was scared, too.” And Chris. Somehow, I wasn’t all that scared. I knew they were coming to get me.
“He is so controlling, I can barely believe it,” Bethany huffs. “He was really playing it cool before if this is what he was hiding.”
“He’s just feeling protective because of what happened,” I say back. Even though I also think Mark is controlling. Or…more so he likes being in charge. I think he stopped holding back when he realised I don’t mind being bossed around a bit. But I kind of love seeing him so open and comfortable.
Bethany and I exchange a look. I think she gets it. She sees that I know he’s controlling, and don’t mind it. She huffs again and sinks back in her chair. “Watch him chase me out of this spot when he comes back in,” she says.
“Your boyfriend is cool,” I say again. Eddie puffs up, and Bethany rolls her eyes as she fights a smile.
“Enough of the compliments. They’ll go to his head.” Bethany says back. “Tommy messaged, by the way. Won’t stop messaging, actually, but he had to go to work. His dad got into an accident, so he has to cover. Once you’re up for it, I know he’d really appreciate a phone call.”
