“I don’t know.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he slapped his forehead. What a terrible way to reassure someone who was hurting. “I need time. Just…promise you won’t give up on me.” More silence. “Can you do that?” Elliot held his breath. He couldn’t blame Mick if he said no. His heart would shatter into a million pieces, but it would all be his own fault.
“I promise.”
The two softly spoken words lifted a giant weight off Elliot’s shoulders, and he collapsed on his back on the couch, closed his eyes, and let the relief wash over him.
“Thank you,” he gasped.
“I have a condition.”
“Anything.”
“No more radio silence. You talk to me.”
“Okay.”
Mick hummed. “I…I gotta go. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
“I’d love to.”
“Great. Bye.”
Mick hung up before Elliot had the chance to answer, and he stared at the dark screen for a long time.
“I love you,” he whispered and cried himself to sleep. 5: April