“I didn’t,” I say. “But you didn’t need me either. Maybe the kickstart into your leadership was bad and rocky, but it’s obvious you have worked your ass off for the pack. That counts as something.”
“Marc,” Eugene says.
“Yes?”
Eugene takes a deep breath. “I am sorry.”
I stare at him in shock. “What?”
“I wanted to apologize to you. All this time.”
I never imagined he would apologize. Even when I tried to think about us meeting again, an apology was never something I expected. Wished for maybe, but not expected.
“I am sorry for what I did to you and how I treated you. There is no excuse for what I did. I always loved you, but I took you for granted. We broke because of me and me alone. I am just so glad I am seeing you again so that I can finally apologize to you.”
I stay silent for a while before finally speaking, “I don’t know what to say but thank you for telling me. Despite everything, despite how our lives turned out, it means a lot to me to hear these words.”
thirty-five
All the Things that Changed
*MARCELLUS*
Itake my time in the restroom to have a couple of minutes to myself. Obviously, Eugene and I can’t keep the whole afternoon talking with each other, and frankly, I don’t think I’d want that.
“Here you are!”
I startle, spinning around to see Silas. I was so distracted, I didn’t even take up his scent. But now here, alone, I can finally hug him.
“Okay,” Silas says, his hands brushing over my back. “Do you think it would help if I blew you?”
I can’t fucking believe it! His suggestion almost makes me double over in laughter. “What? An actual blowjob? Here?”
“I thought it might help,” Silas says seriously.
“Somehow, this is the cutest thing you have ever said.”
“What?” he exclaims. “This is certainly not the cutest thing I have ever said! If that were true, I’d be really pathetic. And it’s not even cute! It’s sex!”
“I find it cute,” I point out. “Because you don’t usually offer sex that way, especially not in public. So, it means something. It’s sweet.”
“I hate that you somehow make sense,” Silas grumbles before reaching out his hand and brushing his long fingers through my hair. “And?” he asks quietly.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to a blowjob,” I say. “But maybe this is not the right place.”
“That’s not what I was talking about!”
“I know,” I sigh. “I guess I am doing okay?”
“Doesn’t sound too convincing when you phrase it as a question,” Silas points out.
“Eugene apologized, sincerely. You know, not a half-assed ‘I am sorry you felt that way’ apology but an actual one. He took responsibility and understood where he went wrong. It also looks like he spent the last years truly making amends and doing everything for the pack. I guess it was good to hear him apologize.”
“But?”
“It makes me sad, too.”
“Yes, I understand,” Silas says quietly. “Because it had gone so far that one of you had to apologize for something so terrible. And, because you now know that despite the apology, it still doesn’t mend things.”