Page 72 of A Real Good Lie

“I what?”

“You made it good.”

Unwanted tears filled his eyes for a second time and he dropped his head against the back of the couch, blinking them away.

“Now that I know you’re not here, I’m going to leave,” Callahan said. “I’m going to pack and change my flight and get the hell out of this place.”

Jace smiled quickly, the expression falling away as tears slicked his down his temples.

“Can I please come see you tonight? Once I get back?” Callahan asked.

Jace’s heart and his mind warred with each other, and the music coming from Remington’s bedroom crescendoed into something so beautiful, Jace worried it would shatter his bones.

“Alright,” he agreed.

“Really?”

The music from Remington’s room went quiet and Jace listened to Callahan rustling around on the other end of the phone. He pictured Callahan packing, throwing his thousand dollar suits and polos into his suitcase with no care or concern. In that quiet and hopeful moment, Jace knew who Callahan was, even if Callahan wasn’t sure himself.

“I’m sure,” he said. “I’ll send you my address, and I’ll be waiting.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Callahan is Seen

Callahan’s arm trembled as he raised it to knock on the door at Jace’s apartment. He was tired down to the marrow of his bones, but he wasn’t going to wait. He wasn’t going to go wash off the day or brush his teeth to get the sourness of the flight out of his mouth. He was on Jace’s doorstep. The only place he needed to be.

The door swung open before he could knock, and Callahan’s shoulders sagged with relief at the sight of Jace on the other side of the threshold. He would have cried had his body not been so spent. His adrenaline was crashing and he blinked long and slow, staring up at Jace with sorrowful eyes.

“You look like shit,” Jace greeted.

“Appropriate.”

“Did you want to come in?”

“Very much.”

Jace stepped to the side and Callahan followed him into the apartment. It was a small place, but still nothing like what he’d expected. Jace’s roommate must do well financially, because Callahan knew Jace couldn’t afford half this place on a barista’s income. A surge of…something…flared in his chest, and he found himself jealous that there was another man who provided for Jace.

But more so, he was surprised Jace allowed it.

“Why did you leave?” Callahan asked after Jace closed the door behind him.

“You look like you’re about to collapse,” Jace said, ignoring him. “Let’s go in my room so we can have some privacy.”

“Is Remington home?” Callahan looked over his shoulder, but the apartment appeared empty.

“He’s in his room, but his music has turned off so I know he’s listening.” A small smile tugged Jace’s lips and it was beautiful. “I don’t mind him hearing, but you might.”

“I don’t,” Callahan said, gesturing toward the couch.

Jace gave him a nod and they both sat, though on opposite ends. The cushions were soft and overstuffed, and Callahan feared sleep would overtake him if he even dared to blink again.

“Why did you leave?” Callahan repeated, mustering the last remaining scraps of energy he could find.

Jace licked his lips and turned away, his head inclining in the slightest as he stared out a small window on the far wall.

“Never mind.” Callahan negated his own ask.