“We know Caleb, you’re our everything too.”
Jess sits up and whispers. “Where is he? Is he coming home?” Her voice is raspy from sleep.
I shake my head. I don’t know, but I really fucking hope so.
“Where are you, are you coming home?” I ask. “Caleb, we need you.”
I hear voices in the background before there’s more shuffling and another voice comes through the speaker.
“He’s just passed out,” a male voice says, and I frown.
“Who is this?” I say, my voice coming out harder than I intend.
Jessica’s eyes widen, her body tense beside me.
“It’s Lincoln.”
I sigh in relief.
“Fuck, sorry man.”
“It’s okay. Lucien’s here too.”
There’s some rustling followed by another voice. “Hey man,” Lucien says. “Don’t worry, Linc and I will get him back to you. He just needs to sleep it off, as does my big sister,” he says.
Jessica taps my arm, and I move the phone away from my mouth.
“Octavia’s brother is going to bring him home.”
She sighs, her relief palpable.
“Thanks man, we owe you.”
“It’s all good, see you in twenty.”
I hang up and let out a heavy breath as I wipe my hand over my face.
“Is he okay?” Jessica asks, searching my face.
I nod. “Yeah, he’s just wasted.” Jessica’s seen him have a drink or two before, but this will be the first time she’ll see him like this.
She moves to get off the bed.
“Hey, where are you going?” I ask.
“To get supplies, water and tablets,” she says as she rushes out of our bedroom.
And this is why she’s going to be the most amazing mother. She’s a caregiver, she nurtures. Instead of being angry that he went out and got pissed, she wants to ensure he has everything he needs when he gets home.
Fifteen minutes later, my phone rings.
“Hey, man.”
“We’re just pulling up now. You want to get the door and Linc and I will drag his sorry arse up to the house.”
“Got it.”
I move to the alarm pad and turn it off before opening the door.
