Bailey leaned toward the nightstand and opened the small drawer, then came back with his phone. He offered it to Derek. “Call him. However it goes, you’re not going to rest until you make the call. Bite the bullet, baby.”

His eyes sinking to the device, Derek hesitated. Now that the moment of truth was at hand—he was scared shitless. As long as he didn’t know for certain why Patrick hadn’t contacted him, he couldmake upreasons to soothe his heart and mind. If Patrick sent him packing, in no uncertain terms… he would have no choice but to face cold, hard reality.

Just fucking do it and get it over with.

Derek sighed and took the phone. He didn’t need the contact info saved in his phone at home—Patrick’s number was seared into his brain. Shakes gripped him inside and brought on a light wave of nausea as he made the call. Bailey sat quietly beside him, and Derek absently reached for his hand, squeezing hard.

He waited for the ring at the other end of the line.

Nothing. Then—

“The number you are calling is no longer in service.”