The Light in Us

15. Fallon

15

Fallon

I skid through the front door just as the phone begins to ring.

Breathless, I snatch it from the cradle. “Sorry. I’m here.”

Shaun pauses. “Fallon. Why do you sound out of breath?”

I force myself to take a breath. Teddy’s scent washes over me, something settling in my chest. “I was grocery shopping. Just got home.”

Silence.

I glance down at the warm wool coat. It’s too big for me, but I couldn’t bear to take it off. Quietly, I tug the lapel to my nose and breathe in as Shaun’s words filter through.

“I picked up your medication. How is your scent?”

Ah. Yes. My heat suppressants.

I push my tongue into the side of my mouth as I consider his question. “Fine, I think. I don’t need them yet.”

“We’ll talk about it later.” And the abrupt words sound like a threat, the single small bubble of happiness draining from me. “We won’t be home for dinner.”

“That’s—,”

The low droning of the line is the only thing I hear as he hangs up.

Slowly, I place the phone back in the cradle.

Teddy’s face flashes into my mind. The playful way he referenced his pack, so easily . With so much love in his voice.

I take off the thick, warm coat he gave me, my fingers sinking into the fabric. I’ll need to hide it, to wrap it up as soon as possible so the scent doesn’t linger. Beneath it, I’m left in my pathetic blue dress. It’s unraveling at the hem after being washed one too many times, the fabric fading in patchy spots.

My vision blurs. And sudden, blinding anger sears my throat, burns it as I spin back to that damn phone that dictates my days.

And I rip it off the wall, flinging it to the floor.

It smashes, pieces of plastic flying everywhere as I stagger back, my breathing heavy.

Euphoria wars with dawning horror that grips my throat.

What have I done—

I step back, digging into Teddy’s pocket for the glittering card.

Ink & Quill.

An interview, tomorrow.

Swallowing, I press my icy hands against my flaming cheeks, the card still between my fingers. I grip it like a lifeline as I sink down on a chair at the table and stare at it.

Think, Fallon.

One month of income. That’s all I’d need.

One month, to earn enough to buy a bus ticket and have a few dollars left over. It wouldn’t be much, but I don’t need much.

I could run away.

I could go somewhere they’d never find me. If they even bothered coming after me.

I would be free of this. Of them.

But to do that, I need to get this job. And get through an entire month without Rory, Shaun or Ellis finding out.

It’s impossible.

Dropping my head into my hands, I consider it. Teddy said they could be flexible. If I can get the right hours… I could leave and be home before they ever realized.

My eyes slide to the broken phone. There’ll be a price to pay for that tonight.

But… Ellis hates that phone. My breathing speeds up.

Maybe I could make this work.

With a wish and a prayer. I’d only need to last long enough to get my first paycheck.

A twinge of guilt hits me then, for Teddy.

But… I wonder if he’d understand.

Not that I plan on telling him anything. He’s done more than he ever realizes, just by giving me an interview.

“Okay,” I whisper to myself. “I can do this.”

First, I take Teddy’s coat. My brows draw together as I hear a buzzing sound, and I slide my hand into the other pocket.

The phone vibrates in my hand. “Hello?”

Silence, for a second.

“Fallon!” The warmth of Teddy’s voice fills me up. “I’m so sorry. Totally forgot that I left my phone in my coat. But you’re coming tomorrow, right?”

“I… yes.” I swallow. “I’ll be there.”

“Great.” There’s genuine relief in his voice. “I’m really looking forward to seeing you again. I think you’ll like it here, you know?”

I bite down on my lip.

He’s so… nice . “I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

“Oh, sweetheart. You couldn’t disappoint me if you tried. We’ll work it out, okay?”

“Okay,” I whisper. “Thank you, Teddy.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Actually, you never need to thank me for anything. Especially not before you’ve seen me in action. I’m a chaos cannon – I need all the help I can get.”

He waits for me to say goodbye before he ends the call. I brush my fingers over my lips as I carefully turn the phone off and place it back in his coat.

I’m smiling.

I carefully wrap the coat in cellophane, spritzing the plastic with some de-scenter we keep in the utility room before I carry it to my bedroom. Wincing, I send Teddy a mental apology as I yank my bed forward and jam it down the back, mentally praying that it doesn’t damage the material as I shove the bed frame back into place.

I head back into the kitchen and tidy up the broken pieces of the phone, placing them into a small pile that I put on the table. I won’t be able to hide it. Better to admit it up front than try to lie.

My stomach churns as I pick up a shattered piece of black plastic.

But I can’t exactly go to work if Shaun is checking in on me several times a day.

Which was the whole point, Fallon.

Which also means I’ll have to play this exactly right. Chewing my lip, I glance at the time. Shaun said they’d be late home. And they’ll be expecting their food to be ready and waiting on the table, even though they haven’t given me a time.

Anxiety fills my chest as I back out of the kitchen. But there’s determination, too, my chest fluttering as I disappear back to my bedroom. Grabbing my duvet off my bed, I drag it into the closet, arranging it until I can crawl inside it with The Light in Us clutched tightly in my hand.

I pull the door closed, flicking on a flashlight.

Time to put your game face on, Fallon.

Go big or go home.