Chapter 29
Nate
My leg bounces, and my fingers drum on my mum's kitchen counter while she busies herself making us each a cup of tea. She places a mug in front of me and lifts a brow while looking pointedly at my drumming fingers.
“You know this is something she needs to do on her own; she isn’t stupid, Nate. They’re her parents, they’re not going to hurt her, and she’s strong enough now to not fall for their rubbish.”
I pick up the mug of tea and take a sip, instantly feeling much calmer, the magic of my mum's tea-making skills. “I know that, but it still doesn’t stop me worrying.”
She has that knowing look in her eyes. “Well, when you can’t fix the problems of the person you love, it can make you feel hopeless.”
I nod along. “That’s very true.”
My mum gasps and clasps her hands together. “So you do? Love her, I mean?”
I huff out a laugh. “Yeah, but I haven’t told her yet. I didn’t want to put the extra pressure on her.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. That girl is a very intelligent and resilient young lady. Don’t wait too long before you tell her.”
I’m about to respond when Archie gasps out loud.
He looks at both of us. “She’s arrived, but her phone isn’t moving.” His eyes refocus on his phone screen.
I get up and walk over to him, looking over his shoulder at his screen. Sure enough, Hayleigh shows up at her parents' home, but she's stationary.
I whack his arm. “Chill out, she probably left her phone in her car.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t like this, Nate. Something isn’t right.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Stop being a worrywart, we’ll give her a couple of hours, and if she hasn’t checked in, like she said she would,” I emphasise the word, “Then we’ll try and call her and see how she is.”
He places his phone on the side but doesn’t turn off the screen, and despite my telling him to relax, he doesn’t. I only hope that he’s wrong and everything is, in fact, okay.
**********
About an hour ago, I decided to leave Archie inside with my mum, and I came out to the garden with our dad to clean it up after Lacey's baby shower a few days ago. We work efficiently, and I’m glad for the manual labour because it’s keeping my mind occupied and free of panicked thoughts of Hayleigh.
Right as I bend down to grab a piece of rubbish from the floor, something hits me on the back. When I turn around, I find my dad laughing his head off.
He wipes his hands together. “Oh, hello there, Nate. Welcome to the land of the living.”
“Sorry, I zoned out there. Did you say something?”
“I was asking how the list is going with Hayleigh.”
He beckons me over to the bench and pulls from the side a thermos, pouring us two steaming cups of tea. He hands me one of the small plastic cups as the warmth seeps into my fingers.
I blow on the tea before taking a sip. “She’s almost done, the only thing left after today will be to go on a Safari.”
My dad chuckles. “A bit hard to do that in England.” He clicks his fingers. “Actually, there is a place, your mum picked up a brochure when we were on our break at the lakes. I’ll go and find it for you.” He sets his tea down before standing, then heading off towards the house.
Guess I’ll finish cleaning the garden on my own then.
I take out my phone and open it up, my anxiety spiking because Hayleigh hasn’t checked in. It’s been two hours since she arrived, and we’ve heard nothing. It’s hard not to panic, but with Archie’s voice floating through my head, I can’t help it.
**********
By the time the garden has cleared, the sun has set, and my mum's famous steak and ale pie is waiting for me when I walk through the patio doors. I look around the kitchen, but no one’s to be found, so I move to the living room.
Archie’s curled up as best he can on one of the sofas, his tall, bulky frame scrunched up in one corner. My parents sit on the opposite sofa, and I nod my head towards Archie. “When did he fall asleep?”
My mum puts her finger to her lips. “About half an hour ago, I think all the worrying has tired him out.”
My phone rings, and Archie startles awake, flailing his arms around while he tries to get up. I fish the phone out of my pocket and click answer.
“Hayleigh?”
Archie jumps up and hurries over, shoving his face right against mine while he listens in on the phone call.
“Hey, Nate. Sorry, it’s later than usual, but it’s been…difficult.” Hayleigh sighs, her voice laced with tiredness.
“Don’t worry–” I shove Archie away, but like a fucking leech, he smashes his face right against mine once more. “Archie, give me some space.” I grit out.
“What’s she saying? Is she okay? Where is she? What can–” He fires out the rapid questions without taking a breath.
Hayleigh laughs down the line. “Tell him I’m okay, just tired. I’m coming back tomorrow.”
I hold Archie at arm's length with one hand while I move around the room. “I wish you could come home now, but I’m glad you’re not driving in the dark.”
“What’s she saying?” Archie hops from one foot to another and dives under my hand, wrestling the phone from me. “Hayleigh? What’s our code word?”
I try to take back the phone, but he waves his hand at me and walks away.
Little fucker.
I follow him around the living room as he hums and ah’s while flapping one arm toward me.
“Archie, give me the damn phone.”
He stops what he’s doing and laughs. “Yeah, okay. I need to give the phone back to Nate now; he’s giving me the worst daggers.”
He hands the phone to me, and I throw him another dirty look before saying. “Hi, it’s me again. You okay?”
Hayleigh giggles on the line. “I’m okay. I should be home by lunchtime tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you.”
“I can’t wait to see you, too.” She ends the call, and I whirl on Archie. “You’re a right pain in my backside, you know that?”
He grins. “Sorry, I was worried. Hey, do I smell pie?”
I turn around to my parents, who are watching with amused smiles, and throw my hands up. “Brains of a goldfish, that one. Do you see what I put up with?”
My mum stands and pats my cheek with her hand. “He means well. Come on, and I’ll reheat some pie for you before you go home.”
**********
The next day…
We’re back to pacing again. Only this time, I’m the one doing the majority of the pacing because Hayleigh was supposed to be home an hour ago, exactly when her phone cut off mid-sentence as she was telling us she’d be longer and also when her phone stopped showing up on the tracking app.
I stop what I’m doing and look over at Archie again. “Anything?” He shakes his head in response as a surge of anger flows through me. “Fuck!” I shout out, feeling completely helpless.
“Let’s go to her,” Archie suggests.
I shake my head. “Imagine how fucking stupid we’d look if we set off there as she’s driving back here.”
He shrugs. “We won’t know unless we try. What harm can it do?”
“Fine.” A sigh leaves my lips because I don’t have the energy to argue, and secretly, I’m worried.
Archie opens his phone and types furiously, and when he stops, my phone pings, and I instantly know what he’s done.
I raise my brow. “Really? The group chat?”
He grins at me. “Desperate times, my friend.”
I open my phone and have to stifle a laugh.
Archie
Okay, boys, 911, I repeat 911
It doesn’t take long for those bubbles to appear on the screen.
Rafe
You do realise that we don’t ring 911, don’t you?
Ethan
Note to self, if ever in an emergency, don’t ask Archie for help
Archie
I take great offence at that, Ethan! This is a real emergency, so get your skates on and meet us at Mum and Dad's.
Rafe
But is this a real emergency, or is this like the time you said there was an emergency, but really you just ran out of chocolate spread?
Archie
First of all Rafe, running out of chocolate spread on pancake day IS an emergency! Second of all, get a move on! *angry emoji*
Cole
Count me out, Lacey’s been getting Braxton Hicks, so I need to stay by her
Cas
What’s the emergency? Also, Arch it’s 999
Archie
Can we stop focusing on who we call in an emergency? Cole, that’s fine, but Cas, Rafe and Ethan meet Nate and me at Mum's in oh one hundred hours
I shake my head because Archie clearly has no idea what he’s just said.
Me
Uhm, Arch, don’t you mean one hour
Instead of him responding to me, he types.
Archie
You know what I mean. One hour. Be there
Ethan
Sir, yes, sir!
Rafe
*saluting soldier* Do we need snacks?
Ethan
Must you always bring snacks?
Rafe
How are we even twins?
Archie busies himself grabbing what he calls ‘supplies’ while I grab my car keys and wait for him. When he’s done, he climbs into the passenger seat, places a bag on his lap and straps in.
“Are you sure you have everything there, Arch?” I ask, sarcasm dripping from every syllable.
He looks at me incredulously. “What are you waiting for? Hurry. We don’t have time to waste, Nate.”
I do as I’m told, and drive to our parents', and hope this doesn’t all backfire in my face.
**********
We arrive with everyone else; it looks like a convoy outside our parents' home, where they’re waiting as well. I climb out of my car and walk over to my mum, who’s trying her hardest not to laugh.
She places a hand on my arm. “I know you’re worried about Hayleigh, but I’m sure she’s okay.” She looks around. “Is all of this really necessary?”
I roll my eyes and throw my thumb over my shoulder. “This is all Archie, if it were up to me, I’d make the drive myself, but you know if I don’t let him do this, he won’t forgive me.”
“You’re a good brother. Your father and I will come with you if that’s okay?”
I nod. “Sure, the cars open.”
Cas gets out of his car and walks towards me, giving me a one-armed hug when he reaches me.
“Emmy spoke to Hayleigh last night. She didn’t say anything was wrong, but she said she sounded tired and a little upset.
She tried ringing Thea, but it went straight to voicemail.
She told me to tell you not to try and not worry too much. ”
I look towards his car and wave at Emmy. “Tell Emmy I said thank you. How’s she feeling?”
He smiles. “She’s good, we’re going to take Daisy with us. Rafe and Ethan can drive down together.”
I nod. “Sounds like a plan.”
I turn around when a car horn beeps before I realise it’s mine. Archie hangs outside the window.
“Let’s move it or lose it; we don’t have all day.”
I roll my eyes. “Best get moving before Commando get’s angry.” Cas bursts out laughing at my quip, and I walk back to my car.
I climb in and turn to Archie. “Swap with mum.”
He makes a gurgled sound. “Why? What did I do?”
“There is no way that I’ll be able to concentrate on driving two hours with you in the passenger seat, getting all hyped up.”
He huffs in response. “Fine.”
I wait for my mum and Archie to swap places, and then we all set off in one long Peterson convoy to save the woman I love.