Page 59 of Run to Me
As soon as I exit the plane my phone rings and I answer without looking to see who it is, expecting to hear uncle Judd’s voice on the other end. Who I hear instead has me stopping in the middle of a crowd, ears buzzing.
“Hey, son. It’s been a while.”
“Who is this?” Hairs stand at the back of my neck.
“I think you know.”
“I’m sorry but you have the wrong number. Please don’t call here again.” I end the call, shoving my phone into my pocket, unable to move my feet. Everything spins around and I can’t get his voice out of my head. I hear him as I walk to the baggage claim, when I wait outside in the big bright sun, and as I get into Uncle Judd’s truck.
“So how was it?” He looks ahead, driving toward the road.
“Huh?” I say, feeling numb and too stuck in my head.
“The trip? How was the family? Your dad good?”
Dad. He means his brother, not the man who called me only minutes ago. How can I let him affect me so much? How does he have the ability to make me feel so damn small?
“I . . . good. Everyone’s good.” I rest my hands in my lap, watching as the cars move past us.
“You hungry? Your aunt made your favorite. Steak and potatoes.”
I try to stay in the present, but it’s not as easy to do with anyone who isn’t Nate. He has a way of pulling me away from everyone and everything.
“Can’t wait.” I force a smile. “Sorry. Long flight and I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Your mom said you were staying in a hotel. That’s your first mistake there.”
I push out an awkward laugh. “Yeah. You’re probably right.”
“People my age usually are.” He shoots me a smile, turning up the radio. The guy in the song mentions how hard it is to walk away after being so close, and I resonate with him. It took everything in me not to go back, and then my dad called, reminding me of who I’ve become because of him. I’m not the monster he is, but the fact that the authorities have me listed as such makes me feel like I’m not safe enough for the man I love most in this world.
This is for him.
Those words have become my mantra and what has me blocking his number again as soon as I get home.
Twenty-Nine
Nate
“You hear about that man out where your uncle lives who’s been torturing people in his cellar? Or is it a basement? Or maybe both.”
A small laugh has my stomach shaking. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he won’t come after me in the short amount of time I plan on being there.”
“You don’t know that,” Dad says.
“I think you watch too much news. Look, I’ll call you and Mom when I get there. I’m sure Jace won’t let anything happen to me.”
“I’m sure you’re right. See you when you get back.”
The line goes quiet and I step forward when I see my ride pull up. “You Nate?” he asks through the cracked window.
“Yeah.” I put my bag in the trunk and climb in the back seat.
“You’re aware how far we have to go, right?” He peers at me through the rearview mirror.
“Yeah.” I sit up taller, adjusting my shirt.
“Like, this place is really out in the sticks.”
