Page 152 of Silent Damage

“Oh, thank God!” Linda sighs. “At least something good happened today.”

Gabe laughs, then Linda kisses his forehead.

We stand in the backyard, relieved that things are somewhat decent after such a fucked up day, when Linda says, “Well, I should go get my things out of Doug’s trailer.”

“I’ll help.”

“Me too,” Gabe adds.

Linda smiles. “You boys are sweet. Yeah, let’s hurry before Doug gets back.”

“Are you really through with him?” Gabe asks.

Linda thinks for a moment, then explains, “Doug showed me what he wanted me to see for a long time, but the mask is cracking. I’m starting to see who he really is. We talked for a long time about things he regretted in his life, but he’s not taking the steps to change them.”

She looks right at me when she says it. “He can’t behave like that and still expect to keep me in his life.”

I smile at her, and she responds by rubbing my back. Once we get into Doug’s trailer, we work fast to move all of Linda’s things out.

There wasn’t much, but I’m glad we helped all the same.

“I have to grab some stuff from the pharmacy,” Linda says once all of her things are in the trailer.

“Do you want us to put your things in the bedroom?” Gabe asks.

Linda waves her hand. “No, I’m sleeping on the couch. You two are taking the bedroom.”

Gabe starts to protest, but Linda puts her hand up to stop him. “You two are grown men. You can’t sleep on a sofa. I’ll be fine.”

She grabs her keys and wallet and heads to the front door, but before she leaves, she says, “I’ll probably be gone for a couple of hours.”

She shoots us a knowing look, then leaves.

Chapter 36

Gabe

The moment Mom leaves, Jason scoops me up in his arms and carries me into the bedroom. When he sets me down, he immediately falls on top of me, and the weight of his body presses me against the mattress in a way that makes me feel protected.

Our lips meet, and I taste him once more, knowing this isn’t temporary. My chest contracts, and my head feels light—it’s like a two-year stress headache has suddenly vanished.

Jason pulls away and looks at me. “You’ve gotta let me in now, Gabe. If we’re doing this, you can’t be afraid to tell me things.”

I don’t feel ashamed—I breathe a sigh of relief. “I will. I promise.”

Jason kisses me again, then whispers, “And I’m not going anywhere.”

“Promise?” I ask.

“I promise.”

He kisses along my neck, and I run my fingers through his hair. My cock hardens, and I rut against him, chasing the friction. “I need you,” I confess.

Jason looks up at me with a whole world’s worth of emotion in his eyes. “I want to make love tonight, Gabe.”

“Please,” I gasp.

Jason sits on his knees and tears off his shirt. I pull off mine, and we both hurry to remove our pants and underwear.