He had worked his whole life to keep this business alive, and here he was, putting it all on the line forme.
No.
I wouldn’t have it.
I stood up and leaned over, dropping a gentle kiss on his forehead.
“I’m going to go rest for a bit, ginger snap,” I lied.
He nodded absently, still rifling through old dusty boxes.
“Okay, angel. I’ll come wake you up when it’s time for dinner.”
“Yeah. Sounds good,” I muttered, already making my way down the ladder and into the hall on the second floor.
The anger in my chest only seemed to build as I stalked toward our bedroom, where I knew my phone was still untouched, charging.
Ripping the cable out of the base, I unlocked it and didn’t hesitate before opening my conversation with Ryan.
Over fifty unread messages awaited me, and I suddenly couldn’t keep myself from gobbling them up.
They started off kind of angry, then they turned to worry and concern.
Ginger Snap:
Cal, please answer me. I’m fucking terrified. Where are you?
Ginger Snap:
Cal, what the actual fuck? Answer me!
Ginger Snap:
I tried to call. Your phone just goes to voicemail. When you see this, can you please send me a text? I’m super worried about you.
Ginger Snap:
Vox is here. Naomi, too. He told me all about recalibration. Baby… I just want to come get you. I wish your fucking friend would tell me where you are!
Ginger Snap:
I don’t know if you’re seeing these and just can’t respond, but on the off chance that you can, I just want you to know that I’m thinking about you. I think about you every second, Cal. I just want to know that you’re alright.
Ginger Snap:
I hate that I’m so helpless and can’t do anything right now. Sitting around like this is killing me! Vox said (well, I guess ‘wrote’) that it usually lasts a week, and it’s been four days. I hope you’re okay. You’re strong, Cal. And so fucking brave. Just hang in there, baby. Thinking about you always.
Ginger Snap:
Did I ever tell you that my mom used to tell me I had a dark angel and that he was going to come save me someday?
Ginger Snap:
I used to kind of resent it because there were so many times in my life when I could have really used a dark angel to come save me… I was kind of a wimpy kid lol.
Ginger Snap:
Anyway, I stopped believing he was coming after a while, but she never stopped believing you would show up… and now I feel like an idiot for not believing, Cal. Because you’re here. You did show up. I’m sorry it took me so long to see it, but I do now. I can’t lose you, baby.