Page 38 of Bound By Secrets

Chapter Twenty-One

Callie

Once I’d run back into the diner to apologise to Ruth and Norman for the drama, and I’d promised to return soon, we all piled into Kat’s car to endure an awkwardly silent trip back to their house. Kat had told me that their parents were out for the next few hours on their monthly date night, so I informed the twins and sent them the address, telling them to meet us there.

There was hardly any noise in the car with us, just the quiet hum from the radio and the squeaking of Kat’s wipers as they swished back and forth along the windscreen. Light rain trickled down from the grey, cloudy sky as I watched the droplets racing down the window.

Nate blows out a breath and then leans forward, his head pushing through the gap between mine and Kat’s headrests. “Callie?” His voice is soft, shaky even. I turn my head and face him, tearing my eyes away from the rain. His blonde hair is messy, sticking in every direction from running his hands through it multiple times. His glassy green eyes connect with mine and his lips lift the tiniest bit, offering me a sad smile.

“I’m so sorry, Callie.” His large, warm hand rests on mine, his eyes following the movement. I rest my other hand on top of his, and our eyes lock again. Now, it was my turn to give him a sad smile. I lift my hand and cup the side of his face. His smooth jaw brushing against my palm sends heat flaring through the veins of my arm.

“There’s no need to apologise. Not to me anyway,” I tell him. I peer around him so that I can see Brad too. “I probably would’ve come to the same conclusion if I was you guys. I should have stayed and carried on talking, answered any questions you had. Your thoughts were valid. It’s just unfortunate that Callum overheard you when he did… I’m sure the twins will forgive you both. It just might take a little time. Especially for Connor.” Nate nods and squeezes my hand before slumping back in his seat. Brad stares at me for a few moments, and then his lips part as he mouths ‘sorry’ to me.

“Are you sure Callum and Connor are going to want to sit and talk with us all at our house?” Kat asks, pulling on her lip with her thumb and index finger as she watches the red light we’re stopped at, waiting for it to turn green again.

“Yeah, it’s why I mentioned my mum outside the diner. They’ll force themselves through anything when it has to do with her,” I mumble. Kat glances over at me sympathetically and squeezes my thigh before pulling away so that she can drive through the now-green light.

Headlights wash over me, illuminating my body as I sit, waiting on Kat and Nate’s doorstep. The rumble of Callum’s engine turns off, and not a minute later, I hear doors slamming shut. I peek up from behind my hair, watching my brothers amble towards me, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

I was doubting whether they would come here. I’d understand if they didn’t, given what Callum heard in the diner, but I’m glad they did. Now, I just need to be able to talk to everyone about everything and come up with some sort of plan for what we’re going to do moving forward.

I stand up, stretching out my limbs, and hug both of my brothers when they reach me. “Thank you for coming,” I say, pulling back so that I can see them both.

Callum steps back, his eyes wandering from one window to the next of the house behind me. Connor, however stays close to me, his breath even, body relaxed and calm. My heart squeezes as I watch him and notice that his usual scowl is gone, he doesn’t look like the hard, cold, armoured man that I’m used to seeing. I reach forward and squeeze his arm, smiling up at him.

“You can write to her, Connor. Mr Johnson has assured me that he’ll be able to get letters to her and he told me that both she and Crystal are okay and they’re safe.” His eyes fall to mine and he gives a stiff nod before turning to Callum who’s still glancing around the property as if he’s expecting someone to jump out and scare him.

“Come on, Cal,” He barks, gaining Callum’s attention. He nods his head towards the front door, and Callum rolls his eyes before huffing and stepping back towards us.

We all sit around the wooden oak dining table that’s situated in the Johnson’s kitchen. There are six seats altogether. I’m at the head of the table with Connor and Callum sitting to my left, Kat is on my right with Nate next to her and Brad is sitting opposite me at the other end of the table. All of us have a steaming cup of coffee in front of us but Nate’s the only one that’s taken a sip so far.

We’ve been sitting in silence for the last few minutes, everyone’s eyes darting between each other. Callum’s eyes are blazing as he stares holes into the side of Brad’s head. Brad is doing his best to ignore it, watching me instead, and patiently waiting for me to speak up and get this conversation started.

I clear my throat and place my palms flat against the table, drawing everyone's attention to me. I face Connor and Callum, “I want to start by explaining what was said earlier with Colin before I explain everything else to these guys about our situation at home.” Both of them nod at me and then Connor rests his hand atop mine.

I give them a rundown of coming here earlier and being blindsided by Colin I tell them the night I remember Mum meeting him and their conversation. Then I tell them about Colin offering to help us contact our Mum. They both stare at me intently the whole time I’m speaking, listening to every single word and nodding at me. They don’t interrupt me until I start to talk about the other part of my discussion with Colin.

“All he needs is some evidence. Like statements from us all. Maybe some proof of his dodgy dealings, give them the locations of his warehouses or something like that.” Connor and Callum look at each other before facing me again and nodding. I take a deep breath, centring myself. I tear my gaze from theirs and stare at my cup of coffee.

“I also agreed with Colin that I would gather some evidence for him as well…” I pause, waiting for one of them to process what I mean. I keep my eyes on the table, tracing the patterns in the wood in front of me. I can hear the shifting of Connor’s clothes as his leg bounces up and down beneath the table. Callum's chair legs scrape against the marble floor, and he comes to crouch by my side.

“Callie, you don’t need to do that,” he whispers, his hand coming down to rub my back.

“You’re not doing that!” Connor growls from beside us.

I huff out a breath and glare up at him. “If I do this, I could help get them all put away, Connor! Mum and Crystal could come back home, we’ll be safe, and we’d all be able to live a normal life!” I shout back.

He stands up and slams his hands down on the table, making me cringe, considering his weight could probably break it. His stormy greyish-blue eyes meet mine, his face slowly turning red as he grits his jaw in anger.

“What are you planning to do, Callie? Are you gonna record yourself being beaten, try and smuggle your phone down into the basement with you? Is that what you’re planning?” He asks, taking a step towards me. Callum places a firm hand on his chest and nudges him back.

“Con, stop it!” He snaps. Connor looks down at Callum and shakes his head.

“You should be agreeing with me, for fuck sake!” He pushes Callum away from him and his fingers plunge into his inky hair. He turns away from us, pacing in a small line, back and forth across the kitchen.

“You get put in the basement?”

Nate’s soft voice cuts through the thick tension in the room. My eyes connect with his, and my heart stutters to a stop at the pain I see inside them.

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