Page 110 of Save Me

Fudge, I know what to do!

Picking up my phone, I shoot off a text.

Me: Cal, my man, can I get Vox’s number?

He responds almost immediately with a voice note: “He’s straight, sorry, skunk boy.”

I stare at the phone. I blink, then respond, “Bro, I’m married. I just need his number for something.”

Clearly, Mads and I aren’t married, but it feels good to say it. I grin, thinking about it.

The voice note comes in. “You’re married??” There’s a rustle of something in the background and a muttered exclamation that sounds a lot like, “Before us?” Then, he’s clear again. “Sure, skunky. But he doesn’t talk so…have fun with that.”

The number rolls in, and I send a text.

Me: EMERGENCY . I need to know how you did your hair.

I wait a few minutes for a response, but nothing.

Me: This is dire. What bleach did you use? I need all the color out without burning it off.

Nothing.

I blow a breath through my lips.

Then, my phone dings.

Vox:

Thumbs up? I stare at my phone, waiting for him to text back. Something. Anything.

Nothing. It’s like he threw his phone in the ocean after responding.

Ugh, whatever.

Some time later, someone knocks on the door. Odd, Maddox never knocks; he just uses the key. I check through the peephole as Princess and Minky try to push past my feet to investigate.

Outside is a tall, silent man.

I crack the door open.

Vox. With a bag of…something.

“How did…”

Vox just shoves past me, herding the animals with his feet.

My mouth is open. How did he know where we were?

Vox crouches down to pet Princess, and Minky tries to jump up and kiss him on the lips. He pets both of them.

“How did you find us?” I ask.

Vox doesn’t respond.

Right. He doesn’t talk.

“Are we in danger?” If he knows where we are, then surely it’s too easy to find us. He can give me a nod or write a note or something.