Page 65 of Unexpected Boyfriends

The tiny charm is comforting. He gave it to me so I’d have a piece of him with me while I wait. He wants me to wait, so I’ll wait.

My thoughts are scrambled and I curse the bastards who have made me like this.

Focus. I have one task right now – to wait. No, actually there’s another – don’t freak out.

I pull on the extra hoodie, wrap the towel around me and lean up against the shed wall, eyes closed. I’m exhausted. There are so many questions floating around in my head and I can’t deal with them now. So many emotions that I can’t sort through. For now, I’ll just wait.

Everything will work out.

Everything will work out.

Everything will work out.

Please.

Chapter 26

Sydney

AXEL

“I think I’ll do some shopping today. Is there anything you want me to pick up for you?” I shout out to my mum, trying to act normal as I hurry to get myself ready to go out.

“No, thanks. All good,” comes the reply, so I head straight out.

I drive a good distance to get to a large shopping centre where I’m unlikely to encounter anyone who knows me, and where I can blend in with all the other shoppers. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I can’t help wondering what lengths Justin’s family will go to in order to locate him.

I buy two cheap pre-paid mobile phones. It worries me that I have to provide ID to buy them, but real burner phones aren’t available in Australia, at least not at short notice, so I have no choice. I just hope that using a different phone number will be enough.

I pick up a few other things. Clothes in smaller sizes than my own, a sleeping bag, toiletries, and some snacks.

I’m driving back when Shannon calls me.

“Hey, Axel, good news. Max’s…”

“Stop! Don’t say anything,” I almost shout. “Just give me a minute. I’m driving. I’ll call you back.”

Shannon hangs up. After I’ve pulled over and killed the engine, I call him back – on one of my new phones.

“Hey,” I say, when he answers. “Sorry about that. This is my new number. Don’t want to use the other one in case, I don’t know, they track it or something.”

“Do you think they would?”

“I honestly don’t know. But the police are involved, and I think his family have money, so… maybe? His family are serious enough about this that they sent him interstate to get round the illegality of what they’re doing, so who knows.”

“Better safe than sorry, right?”

“Yeah, and the thing is, he’s already a mess. They’ve screwed with his brain big time. I can’t let them get to him again.”

“I know. That shit can really mess people up. Fuckwits. There’s a reason it’s illegal.”

“Anyway, so this is my new number, but keep it on the DL.”

“Of course.”

“Okay, what’ve you got for me?”

“Max’s grandma lives in Melbourne. When Max explained the situation to her, she said he was welcome to stay with her as long as he needs.”

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