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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.