I shake my head.
He frowns. “You sure?”
I hate that the logical choice is the lonely option. I want to stay. I want to hide here where it’s safe and warm and no one’s throwing things at walls.
But I can’t.
Zinnia’s still there. My things are still there. And if I don’t get back in time, my dad will know I snuck out, and then all hell’s going to break loose. It’ll only get worse, so I nod. I’m sure.
I look at Jax. Then at Zephyr. Then back at Jax.
“Drop me off at home before you go to the airport,” I say.
They don’t try to convince me to stay.
Jax just nods. “Be ready in five.”
They park behind my house where the cameras can’t see.
It’s still dark. The sky’s just starting to lighten at the edges—that pale gray that comes before sunrise.
I reach for the car door handle and hesitate.
“Thank you,” I say. “And good luck with your game.”
Jax nods. Zephyr gives me a small smile.
I slip out of the car and close the door as quietly as I can.
They don’t leave until I’m across the neighbor’s yard and out of sight.
I move through the shadows, heart pounding, terrified of being caught.
But when I reach my window, it’s still unlocked. It’s still cracked open the way I left it.
I climb through and land softly on my bedroom floor. I try my best to do the screen. Finally, after fidgeting with it, it clicks into place.
The house is silent.
My door’s still locked from the inside. Everything’s exactly how I left it.
For a minute, I stand frozen. I’m waiting for footsteps, for my dad’s voice, for a bang against the door, and my dad’s voice to appear, telling me how awful I am. How much of a liar I am.
But there’s nothing.
I toe off my sneakers and peel off my hoodie. I put everything back where it belongs.
Then I climb into bed.
And I smile at the thought of Jax, Zephyr, and Callum.
Because I have people who care about me.
And that means everything.
Chapter Twenty: Callum
Minnesota is fucking freezing.
