Page 16 of Fearless Bond

“Rewind for a bit. Did Damian leave you alone by the roadside in the mountains? At night? While it was snowing?”

Oops. He might have a fit anyway.

“I’m pretty sure he made a U-turn after a few minutes and went back for me, assuming I’d be properly humbled.”

“But he didn’t find you.”

“Nope.”

“Damn. I didn’t expect that. I mean, from him, I expect just about any shitty thing imaginable, but I didn’t think you’d leave.”

“I’m sorry I never listened to you. You had been trying to warn me for weeks. You were right all along.”

“I get it, Cal. It didn’t help that your dad was singing his praises. But yay! I’m so happy you broke up with him. I’m proud of you, man!”

“Damian is a manipulative, egotistical piece of trash.” That felt nice saying out loud.

Laure let out a surprised chuckle. “Yeah, he is. Go, Calvin.”

“Thanks for not giving up on me.”

“Never, Cal. Love you like a brother. Anyway. I’ll send someone to pick you up and give you a ride to the city.”

I braced myself. The next part would be difficult to explain. “I can’t go home now. Father will be on Damian’s side, and if I tell him I’m never marrying Damian, he’ll claim it’s just my anxiety talking. But I’m okay. Never been better. Only the thought of going back to the city and facing them… I can’t, Laure. I’ll break down, and they’ll send me to a psych ward. I can’t go back.”

“Then you’ll stay at my place.”

“Damian will look for me there.”

“Let him try. My security will call the police on him if he trespasses.”

It was crystal clear in my head, but how to explain it to my friend? “Laure, listen, I can’t go back to the city. Ever since I decided to break up with Damian, I’ve been feeling better and better. It’ll all fall apart if I go back. I can’t. I need a break and time to put myself together before I can face any of them.”

Laure was quiet for a moment, then he hummed thoughtfully. “How about I come and get you?”

“You’re on tour!”

“I have a gig tomorrow and one more two days after that, then ten days off. Today, I’ll send someone to keep an eye on you. A bodyguard. On Sunday, I’ll come and get you. We’ll figure it out, okay? Is there a hotel in town where you can wait for me?”

“You don’t have to send anyone. I’m safe here.” I hoped Barclay would let me stay for a few days.

“With a stranger? How is that safer than a hotel?”

“Look, under normal circumstances, I would be hyperventilating right now. And I’m not. I’m not entirely sure why, but I feel fine around Barclay.”

“You’re not making much sense, Cal.”

“I’m a nervous wreck on the best day, right? Well, not around him. He’s safe. I can feel it. He looks scary, but he’s nice. Besides, he could have hurt me ten times over already if he wanted to.”

“Do you have your meds?”

“No.”

“Cal…”

“I feel fine. I really do. As long as I stay here, I’m safe. But just the thought of leaving here and going back to the city makes me nauseous.”

Laure sighed. “I’m sending a bodyguard.”

---