Page 152 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“Fuck!” He punched the accelerator and headed down the next block toward the back entrance of the bakery. After getting out, he ran down the short alleyway and walked inside. The deli had been quiet fifteen minutes ago but was no longer while Sandersonians stood in line or sat at the tables or counter. Callie was grinning as she chatted with Tobias and set a thick ham-and-cheese panini in front of him. “We’ve gotta go,” he said as he came up behind her.

She gasped and whirled. “Nate—”

He grabbed her hand. “We’ve gotta go.”

She frowned as she pulled away. “I can’t go. We’re in the middle of the lunch rush.”

“Let’s go, Callie.” He took her hand again, holding tight. “I’ll explain later.”

Molly came over. “What are you doing?”

“Callie’s leaving.”

Molly held his gaze, clearly able to see that something was wrong. “Okay.”

Callie shook her head. “But—”

“I’ve got this. Go with Nate. I’ll talk to you later.”

He didn’t bother telling Molly the official line was no comment. Eventually the press would find out that Callie worked at the deli, but his sister was loyal to the end. “Come on.” He hurried with her outside and down the alley.

“Nate, what’s going on? You’re scaring me.”

“Get in.” He waited for her to take her seat and slammed the door, then rushed around to the driver’s side.

“Nate—”

He took off toward the house, not bothering to wait for her to buckle up. “The press is here.”

“What?”

“Max Battleman outed you to the media.”

She closed her eyes and rested her head on the seat.

“Kay’s been getting some calls from reporters. You and Justine are in the papers.” He glanced her way when she said nothing. “It’s only one news van—”

“For now.”

“We’re going to handle this.”

She looked at him. “Your life and mine changed the moment Max opened his mouth.”

Nate lifted his radio, knowing truer words had never been spoken. “Kay, have Denny head over to the hardware store. I want him to pick up every No Trespassing sign he can get his hands on.”

Callie laughed humorlessly as she pressed her face into her hands. “That isn’t going to help.”

He turned down his road, glancing in his rearview mirror and spotting the van heading their way. “We’re going to figure this out,” he said again, accelerating and hitting the garage door opener as they approached the driveway. Within moments, he was pulling the Tahoe into the pickup’s usual spot, then shut off the engine and closed them inside.

Callie got out, went into the house, and headed upstairs.

He followed. “What are you doing?”

“Packing.”

“Whoa.” He took the stairs in twos, keeping pace with her. “What?”

She moved faster down the hall, then to the closet in the master bedroom, where her suitcase was.