Chapter Twenty-Five

Jamie:

Dad didn't have much to say to me once we got home. That was nothing new, but this time it seemed different. He seemed different. It was as if he'd actually been scared standing out there waiting to hear where I was. They'd all been scared; the reporters had told us.

When they realized nine kids were still missing, they'd feared the worst, not knowing what state they'd find us in.

I knew that by tomorrow my father would plan how to use this for his political advantage, but tonight he was just a dad.

We stood at the bottom of the tall staircase, looking anywhere but at each other. I shifted from foot to foot. He was still as a statue.

“Son,” he finally said, taking a long pause. “I…” He scratched his chin in thought. “You should get some sleep.”

Before I could respond, he reached out to grip my shoulder. I flinched. Pretending he didn't notice, he gave me a few quick pats on the back and then walked into his study.

My brain was still working on overload from the evening. I shook my head and trudged up the stairs.

Alone in your room, it becomes more real. It happened. There's no escaping it. Nothing to hide behind.

I turned over in the dark, unable to close my eyes without hearing the gunshots or footsteps pacing outside my door.

Rubbing my fists against my eyes, I let out an exasperated groan. A door opened down the hall, making me jump. I couldn't do it, couldn't be there. With a sudden certainty, I knew the only thing I wanted to do was be with the two people I cared most about. The two people who'd gone through the same thing as me.

Whatever happened with me and Callie, we'd always be connected now. I don't think I could ever look back on this day without remembering that the feel of her in my arms grounded me, kept me together. For that, I'd always be grateful. For that, some part of me would always love her.

Because I knew now. I was in love with Callie McCoy. It should have scared me, but in light of everything else, it just didn't.

Kicking off the covers, I got up and pulled on a pair of sweats and a hoodie. I was on autopilot as I got in my car and drove the short distance to the house that felt more like home than my own.

The TV was on in the living room, its sounds drifted past the front door. Using the key I'd had since I was ten, I unlocked the door.

Shutting it behind me, I walked in to find brother and sister, my best friend and my girlfriend, sitting side by side on the couch staring at me. Callie had the blanket pulled to her chin and a death grip on Colby's arm that she relaxed when her brain finally registered it was me and not some intruder.

I saw in them the same fear that brought me here.

“Couldn't sleep?” I asked them.

Colby looked to his sister, an exhausted sigh escaping his lips. “I don't think I'll ever sleep again.”

“Me either,” Callie agreed, scooting over and folding her legs beneath her. She held up an end of the blanket, inviting me to stay.

My shoulders sagged in relief as I sank into the couch and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. Colby didn't say anything, and it was then that I remembered he'd come with Callie to the dance so she could confront me. Our friendship was safe.

He caught my eye and nodded. “It's good that you're here, man.”

None of us said it, but the real reason we were there was because we couldn't bear to be alone.

Colby flipped through channels, settling on an old John Wayne movie on TMC, and the three of us sat together all night, knowing full well that although one night stole away our peace, it'd take a lot more to bring it back - if that was even possible.