Page 64 of Escape Velocity
Now. Please.
He clenches his phone harder in his hand and tries to pick up the courage to tell his family that he has to go. They can’t force him to stay. He can just say Aunt Josie was bothering him too much. He’ll pay for it later, but right now, he needs to go.
Callum
I’m getting in my truck now.
His phone feels lighter now, like all the pressure and doom of the day is removed with just one text. One message is all it took.
He takes one breath in and walks to the table.
“My friend is having an emergency, and she needs to see me. I’ll try to be back soon,” Mason says.
Worry paints his mom’s face. “Is Jenna okay?”
Mason nods. “Yeah, she’s fine, she just—needs a friend right now. I’ll be back soon.”
He immediately turns away, gets his coat, and walks out the door.
He’s free. For now.
18
MASON
The rumbleof a Chevy jolts Mason out of his head, and he watches as it slows down in front of his house, but park a few houses down.
He sees the frame of Callum immediately get out and stand outside the front of the truck. He’s bundled up in a plaid jacket and dark blue jeans, giving him a more mature disposition compared to his usual boyish fashion.
Mason manages to escape out the front door unseen and walks over to Callum, who immediately perks up and walks over to Mason.
“Are you okay?” Callum asks as he looks between Mason and his house, his tone more comforting than Mason has heard in years.
Something warm and comforting envelops Mason as he realizes that Callum already knows why he’s upset and that he understands why. He knows what his family is like.
“I’m—”
His throat tightens as he looks back at his house then back to Callum whose face is painted with worry, his dark eyebrows knit together in concern.
Nothing feels okay anymore. Nothing feels safe anymore. He can’t be himself for anyone except for Jenna and she’s still back at Montgomery, but even she is just a reminder of the lie he’s created for himself. His only choice is the towering man in front of him who still keeps him up at night.
Mason rubs at his face. “No. Can we just—get out of here?”
Callum nods. “Of course.”
He walks to the passenger side of his truck and opens the door for Mason.
Something in the chilly air arrests him and creates a pocket of warmth at the realization that Callum really just wants to make Mason feel better.
It’s been so long, but it’s finally time for him to let Callum in.
“Thanks,” Mason mumbles as he gets into the truck.
Callum closes the door behind Mason and walks to the driver’s side and gets in.
“You don’t deserve this, Mason,” Callum mumbles as he puts the car in drive and speeds along the street back to his home.
Back when they were little, they had found a secret passageway in and out of their secret hideout that didn’t involve going through Callum’s backyard. He hopes that Callum remembered, but as he turns down the street where the passage started, Mason knows.
