Page 94 of The Edge of Never

A head of dark hair appeared around the wall separating the living room from the kitchen. Kit pushed their glasses up their nose, stepping out further. They had a mug between their fingers. They’d made me a coffee and disappeared to finish brewing their tea.

“Yeah?”

“Mah parents are here.”

Kit glanced towards the windows where a dark grey car was pulling up in the driveway next to my old Defender.

“Oh… uh, I…”

The slight hint of fear in their expression gave their feelings away.

“Ye dinnae have tae deal with them.”

“No?”

I shook my head. It was bad enough that I did.

Kit had been quiet since we got up, but it didn’t worry me. I figured they needed some time to adjust to being here. And it wasn’t as if I had any plans other than daily exercise for my healing ankle. We were playing everything by ear until they had to leave. That was the only permanent part of this. Kit going home. They booked their train ticket while we were having breakfast. I didn’t expect it to feel so final. I shoved away the disquiet it brought on since there was no point in dwelling on it until the day came.

“Okay, I’m just going to…”

They dashed towards my bedroom without finishing their sentence. I couldn’t help but smile.

Kit didn’t even hesitate to run away from a situation they didn’t want any part of. And I didn’t blame them.

I waited as my parents got out of the car. I took after my father, who stood tall above my mother as they walked up the steps onto the deck. They didn’t bother ringing the doorbell. My mother slid the front door open and stepped inside. Her eyes went to me immediately and tears welled in them.

“Thane.”

She rushed over and wrapped her arms around me without waiting for me to get up off the sofa. I hadn’t been planning on it, as my injured ankle was propped up on a cushion. My father followed more slowly after he slid the door shut.

“I’ve been so worried,” Mum said into my shoulder. “Ye gave us both such a fright.”

“Am fine, Mum.”

“Ye’re no fine. Callan told us ye’ve hurt yerself.”

I rolled my eyes, not that she could see, and patted her back.

“It’s just mah ankle and it’ll heal.”

She finally pulled away and looked me in the eye.

“Ye let yer mother worry over ye.”

“Margie, leave the poor lad alone,” my father said with a shake of his head as he came over and gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Ye’re all right, son.”

He moved away and took a seat on the end of the sofa. Mum sat beside me and took my hand.

“I dread tae think what would’ve happened if they didnae find ye,” she said with a sigh.

“They did, and I had company. It wasnae just me oot there alone.”

“Aye, Callan mentioned that. They werenae injured, were they?”

“No, they saved mah life.”

Her eyebrow curled up.

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