“Yep.” Thomas leans forward, pressing a gentle, yet firm kiss to my forehead. “See you soon, freckles.”
I leave the room, shutting the door behind me and taking a deep breath. I stride down the hall, and Elena catches me.
“Hannah, are you ready to go get your things?” she asks, her voice gentler than it was in the other room.
“Yeah. Thomas is calling his family, and will meet at my apartment later.”
“Great, let's go.”
17
THOMAS
My hands tremble as I watch Hannah leave the room. I don’t want to call my family, but I know I have to. I can’t just disappear. I think calling Jason is the best option. He’s the most level headed of us brothers, and will be the best one to spread the news.
I fight the urge to rub my eyes. My contacts are getting dry and I can’t wait to get them out and throw my glasses on. I hate driving with my glasses on, but I don’t think my eyes will last another hour in these contacts.
Elena told me that we’ll be escorted down to Missouri, but as soon as we are at the safe house, we will be on our own. They’ll follow us in an unmarked vehicle and keep watch on us. I can take the first shift of driving and hopefully Hannah can get some sleep, and maybe we can switch after. I might be able to do the full stretch without sleeping, but I know that wouldn't be the safest option.
I dial my brother's phone number, ignoring the guilt I feel about waking him in the middle of the night. It rings and rings until his voicemail picks up. Shit. I dial thenumber again, and it continues to ring. On the third ring, he answers.
“Hello?” His voice is thick with sleep and there is a rustling along the line.
“Jase, it’s Thomas,” I reply, my throat thickening with unexpected emotion.
“Thomas?” he grunts. “What time is it? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” I confirm, swallowing. “Something happened, though. I can’t tell you what, but I have to leave town for a while, and I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
“Shit, what?” He sounds much more alert now.
“Jase?” Fallon’s faint voice questions in the background.
“One second, sunshine,” Jason soothes. “Thomas, what do you mean, you have to leave town?”
I run my hands over my face, fighting back tears. “Hannah and I witnessed something tonight when we were leaving the street dance, and it was decided that we be sent to a safe house for a while.”
“Where?” Jason asks.
“I can’t tell you,” I reply. This fucking sucks. “I need you to tell everyone that Hannah and I are safe. Oh, um.” I pause for a long moment. “Also, we’re engaged, if anyone asks.”
“You’re engaged?” he stutters. “You two just had your first date. You can’t be engaged.”
I sigh. “Jason. I can’t give you any more details, but if anyone asks, yes, I’m engaged.”
“What the fuck did you do?” he asks, his big brother aura coming out.
“I didn’tdoanything, Jason,” I growl, growing defensive. “I need you to tell everyone that I will call when I can, but I won’t have my phone. I don’t have time to call everyone tonight, and we have to get on the road.”
“Is Arson going with you? Do I need to pick him up?”
“No, I’m taking him with me,” I state, though it was never discussed. My dog goes with me, no matter what.
Jason sighs through the line. “Fuck, dude. Is there really nothing else you can tell me? You know Mom is going to lose her mind.”
“I know,” I say through gritted teeth. “I can’t, though. I’ll call you all when I can, but for now, this is all I can offer you.”
“Alright. Be safe. We love you,” he says, and I can’t stop the burning pricking my eyes. I try to write it off as the contacts causing me trouble, but the tears that fill my eyes don’t lie.
