Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
He looked down, shame curling his shoulders. “I…I didn’t mean to scare you. I didn’t think anyone would notice I was gone. My head was all mixed up, and I didn’t want to talk about it. I went to this all-night diner and drank coffee and ate pancakes all night.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. This poor kid didn’t think anyone would notice he was gone. That no one would care or paid close enough attention.
“Of course we would,” I told him. “Your mom was worried sick. Your dad came too. Jude and I were out of our minds with worry. Rush called all our friends—Trey and Tyson too. They’re all worried about you, and they’re all looking for you.”
He looked up, tears pooling in his eyes, and Jude hugged him again. “We’ll sort out the rest of it later. We’re just glad you’re okay.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Jude
Finally, Awkward Boy didn’t feel so awkward anymore…and for the first time, he was comfortable in his skin. ~ Theo’s comic
Cam called everyone and let them know we found Theo and were on our way back to the condo.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked as we headed home, but he shook his head.
“Can you guys… Will you stay while I talk to my parents?”
“Of course,” I replied just as Cam said, “You got it, kid.”
We were quiet during the quick drive back. The second we parked, Theo’s mom came running out of the building. She pulled him into her arms and started crying. “Oh God. Don’t ever do that again. I was so worried about you. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you, do you hear me?”
Theo pulled back and wiped tears from his own face, nodding.
His dad was there too, but he didn’t say much. He hugged Theo, but the emotion wasn’t there, and it took everything inside me not to tell the motherfucker what a piece of shit he was. Didn’t he know he had the best damn kid there was?
There were conversations with the officers, Cam and I never straying far from Theo. An hour or so later, it was the five of us—me, Cam, Theo, and his parents—alone in their condo.
“Thank you. I appreciate your help finding Theodore, but this is a family matter,” his dad said, and I could see the panic in Theo’s eyes.
“With all due respect,” I began just as Theo said, “Dad…”
But it was Annie who made the final decision. “If Theo wants them to stay, they stay. They’ve been good to him.” She began crying again. Maybe she was feeling guilty for not having spent more time with him herself.
We sat down. Theo’s leg was bouncing like crazy, nerves making his skin pale. “I, um…I didn’t mean to scare everyone. I just…didn’t think anyone would notice.”
“Of course we’d notice, kid,” Cam said.
“Theo?” his mom said, a soft question in her voice, as if she really didn’t understand why Theo would feel that way.
“I don’t…I don’t always feel like you guys care all that much about me. You’re both always at work. Dad doesn’t care if I go see him or not. I guess sometimes I wondered if it would be easier for you if I wasn’t around? Like maybe you didn’t want me.” Theo wiped his eyes again, and damn, I wanted to let loose on his parents. Wanted to tell them they had a really fucking great kid and I wasn’t sure they deserved him.
“That’s ridiculous. Of course we want you around,” his dad said simply, as if he couldn’t be bothered with Theo’s feelings. He’d never spoken much about his father, so I hadn’t taken him into consideration, and now I knew why he didn’t talk about him.
“Why are you always gone, then? Dad has his new wife and son, and Mom would rather be at work than with me.”
“Oh, baby,” Annie said, and then she shoved off the couch and knelt in front of Theo. “I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry. You deserved better. Me being gone was never about you. It was about my insecurity and my drive, but never about you, okay? You are the most important person in my life. I love you so much, and I’m going to do better. I promise you I’ll do better.”
“Even if…even if I’m gay?” Theo asked softly. I held my breath, and looking over, saw Cam’s hands were tightened into fists.
“I don’t care about that. You’re my son. I just want you to be happy,” she replied.
“Dad?” Theo asked.
“Like I told you last night, you’re too young to make such a life-changing choice,” he answered.
“It’s not a choice,” slipped past my lips. “Would you be saying he’s too young to decide he’s straight? It’s who he is. Theo is a great kid. He’s smart and funny. He’s an incredible artist. He’s passionate and caring. Who cares who he’s attracted to? That doesn’t change who he is. He’s made the past few months in my life much easier. I’m so damn grateful to call him a friend.”