Page 103 of The Way Home

Jamie allowed himself to be steered toward the dance floor, spotting Ellie and Will a few feet away. Dancing would definitelycheer Caleb up. Helovedto dance and, good bloody fuck, he looked sexy doing it.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Caleb said suddenly. Had Jamie been saying all that out loud?

“Yes.” Caleb’s hands redirected Jamie’s gaze to his. “You’re saying all of this out loud.”

“Oh.” Jamie shut his mouth.

He would feel embarrassed if not for the way Caleb seemed to be loosening up. Jamie looped his arms around Caleb’s neck and swayed his hips from side to side. Caleb settled his hands on his waist and threw his head back. As he danced, Jamie watched the stress melt out of him.

With Caleb’s head thrown back like this, Jamie could see all the muscle in his neck. He wanted to lick them. Leaning forward, he dragged his nose from Caleb’s collar, up his neck, until he found his ear. His hands slid from behind Caleb’s head, around to the front of his chest.

“Damn, J.” Caleb’s chest rumbled beneath his fingertips.

“You have a nice neck.”

With a chuckle, Caleb looked down at Jamie, eyes heated. Before he could reply, Sally appeared at his elbow.

“Hey,” she said quietly. Caleb stiffened, and Jamie wanted to shoo Sally away.

“Hey,” Caleb grumbled.

Jamie watched as Sally murmured something close to Caleb’s ear. Caleb’s expression tightened again, the softness draining from his face.

“What?” Jamie asked, peering between them.

“Nothing,” Caleb said immediately. “Sal, we can talk about it tomorrow.”

Sally gave Jamie a quick smile that didn’t quite stick before grasping Caleb’s bicep and tugging. “I’m stealing him. One minute.” Jamie let go reluctantly as Caleb rolled his eyes and followed her a few steps away.

They stood close, talking in low voices—Caleb’s jaw clenched,and Sally’s face pinched with worry. At one point, she squeezed his arm, like she was trying to convince him of something.

Jamie’s stomach sank. Something was wrong. When Caleb returned, his smile was all wrong. Without even thinking, Jamie pulled him in. He wanted Caleb to go back to dancing—to throw his head back and close his eyes andrelax.He wanted to kiss his neck and his throat until Caleb didn’t have any worries in the world.

“You alright?”

“Yeah.” Caleb cupped the back of his neck, thumb brushing his hairline. “You ready to go home?”

Jamie blinked and glanced back at Ellie. “Already?”

“Yeah, if that’s okay. I’d like to get some water in you, so you’re not hungover, and… well, I think I need to go home. Long day.” He flashed a weak, unconvincing smile and wrapped his arm around Jamie’s shoulder.

Jamie nodded and leaned into him. “Okay. Home sounds nice.”

Caleb’s arm tightened around him, holding him close as he guided him toward the exit. Jamie rested his head against his shoulder as they walked, but the knot of worry stayed lodged in his chest the entire way out.

Chapter 27

The drive toJamie’s childhood home was usually relaxing.Usually. Today, rain hammered the windshield, and traffic slowed to a crawl thanks to a wreck up ahead. Caleb thought British people would be used to driving in the rain, but… apparently not.

“I still think it would be completely professional if you sent an email, at the veryleast,” Jamie said sternly. “I drafted one to Halcombe. I’ll show you when we get there…”

Caleb exhaled slowly, tightening his fingers around the steering wheel. It had been almost two weeks since Halcombe told Caleb that he was a “bad influence” on Nate, and, apparently, Jamie and Sally were still furious about it. He understood their anger about it—truly, it was bullshit—but, at this point, Caleb just wanted to let it die. The season was nearly over, and he wanted to get to summer camp without blowing everything up.

He kept his eyes on the road. “Jamie, sweetheart, I know you mean well, but I already told you I’m not saying anything.”

“Why not?” Jamie dropped his phone into his lap, frustrated. “You can’t just let this arsehole go around being a homophobic prick—”

“I know that. I know what he said was wrong. I know he’s a dick. But summer camp’s coming up, and I have to work with him.” He tried to swallow down the anxiety that crawled up his throat. “I just need to get through the next few weeks, alright?”