Page 33 of Worth the Wait

“Time will just make it worse.”

“Just a little bit of time,” Landon justified.

Jack sighed and closed his eyes while Landon thought it out. He must have fallen asleep because when he opened them, Landon was gone.

9

Callum

Callum was losinghis fucking mind. Jack wasn’t answering his calls, his texts weren’t being read, and Jack wasn’t showing as being online on Skype. Callum didn’t have another way to get in touch with Jack, and the idea of something happening to him and Callum never knowing was enough to send his blood pressure through the roof.

Friday night.

Saturday.

Sunday.

Monday.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

Thursday, his phone rang.

Callum didn’t know if he was relieved or enraged to see Jack’s name light up the screen on his phone. The last weekend at work had been rough with Landon gone, and to not even have Jack to come home and talk with had been torturous. The whole week he’d been met with silence.

All his fears had come true in spectacular fashion.

Looking at his caller ID, Callum accepted the call, but didn’t say anything.

“Kitten?” Jack finally said after the silence had drawn itself out.

Callum’s eyes filled with tears and he hated how warm his stomach felt hearing Jack’s voice. He didn’t answer.

“Callum, baby. Are you there?”

Callum wiped his cheeks. “I’m here.”

“God, kitten. I missed you. I’m so sorry. Daddy is so fucking sorry.”

“Where were you?” Callum managed to ask. He hoped his voice didn’t betray his emotions.

“I was in the hospital. I just got home today. I didn’t have my phone or anything. I wanted to call you so badly.” Jack pushed the words out in a rush.

“What happened?” Callum’s anger at Jack quickly morphed into worry and fear.

“My appendix ruptured. It was bad. I had sepsis, blood poisoning.”

“I know what sepsis is.”

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t get in touch before. Please understand. Please forgive me?”

“Are you okay?” Callum asked, his voice small.

“I’m fine now. I have some mobility restrictions, but I’m home.”

Callum swallowed. “Is someone taking care of you?”