Anthony couldn’t think of what to say. He had also been going crazy with worry, but with Ethan so upset, he needed to be stronger than he felt like being.
“We’re cursed, Ant. I really believe that. Well, at leastChris is.”
He pulled Ethan closer and placed his arm around his shoulders. “Then good thing he has us.”
“Much help we are.”
“We’ll be more helpful once we hear from Jay. He knows what he’s doing. Can I get you anything to eat?”
“I ate five muffins.”
“Gross.”
“I needed the sugar, but yeah, I felt sick afterward. Let’s just stay like this until Jay calls.”
“Okay. It went well with your parents before we had to leave. It was refreshing going through that without being told I’d go to hell.”
Ethan shivered. “Was it really that bad for you?”
He tried not to dwell on those days, on how betrayed and alone he’d felt. For months, he’d expected his family to come around, or at least pick up his calls, but he was still waiting. “It could have been better, but I’m over it.”
“I don’t think you are, and you shouldn’t be. When your parents finally get their shit together, I’d be happy to see them again.” He pressed closer against Anthony. “And we’ll go back to my parents once we get Chris back. No fishing, though.”
Anthony’s phone rang. He picked it up and frowned at the name on the screen.
“Who is it?” Ethan asked.
“It’s... Oscar.”
“You have Oscar’s number?”
He faintly remembered Tobias giving him the number when they were dating. He gingerly answered the call on speaker. “Hello?”
“Anthony, this is Oscar. Have you heard from Jay?”
“No. He’s meeting with Dima at the garage.”
“Yes, three hours ago! I can’t get Dima to answer me, and I’m unable to locate his car. Did Jay attack him? I told him to play it smart!”
“Jay didn’t attack anyone,” Ethan snapped and leaned closer to the phone.
“Who’s that?”
“Ethan.”
“Oh, how lovely! Your invitation to join me at the club still stands, you know. Are you free on Tuesday?”
“I... what? No, we need to find Chris.”
“Well, of course we do. Finding Mr. Roberts is high on my to-do list, I assure you. Anyway, you two haven’t heard anything from Jay recently?”
“No,” they both said.
“Is there anyone else who might know anything? Was he working alone in that garage?”
“Stu,” Ethan said. “His brother was just leaving when I arrived, but he may have gotten back by now.”
“Will you please call him and put my worry to rest?” Oscar sighed. “I am as fond of Dima as I am of bunions, but I still need to know where he is. Please take care of this, you two.”
