Chapter 99

“It’s best I go. I shouldn’t have come. I’m sorry, I—”

The prospect of Gary leaving broke Trevor out of his lethargy. Without pausing to allow himself to change his mind, Trevor opened his arms, walked toward Gary and hugged him. Delivering a kiss to his lips, only the second they’d exchanged since he’d arrived, Trevor said, “Stay. Though I want you to call Lisa and tell her you’re safe.”

Gary looked confused.

“These past few years living by myself, then lately having Paul come stay, has shown me how fucking lonely I am. So, although I know it’s wrong on so many levels, I want you to hold me, kiss me and make love to me for as long as you can. Just for a while, I want—” Trevor felt the beginnings of tears. “I want to pretend that someone loves me. I want to pretend that I’m not a failure, unable to keep a man, or in Sam and Ollie’s case, men.

“Oh, Trevor, you’re not a failure. And I do love you. Very much. But you’re sure you want me to stay?”