Page 109 of The Way Home

“Well, I—” He patted his pockets and looked around. “I came straight here, I didn’t think—”

“Exactly.You did not think.”

Oh God. Of course JB would be worried about his first day riding his bike to workandshowing up late. And Caleb. He’d asked Jamie to share his location, but he hadn’t thought—

“Fuck, Jean-Baptiste. I’m so sorry,” Jamie rushed out, realization dawning on him like ice water. “I’m a bloody idiot.” Turning toward the bench where he’d dropped his briefcase, he dug around for his mobile.

“Fuck.” Four texts from Caleb. Three missed calls.

Caleb:

J, why are you Tottenham Ct still? Did you stop?

Worried about you. Why aren’t you at work yet?

Can you call me?

Talked to JB. He said you got in. Have a good day at work.

The ball of guilt in Jamie’s stomach doubled in size. This was precisely the last thing Caleb needed right now, between work and the drama with his father. The two of them had been up untilmidnight, Caleb on the phone with his sister Bri about flying back to the States.

And then Jamie had to go and make him worry all morning, like a dumbarse. He stared at the screen, thumbs hovering uselessly over the keyboard. After a moment, he lowered the phone and turned back to JB.

“You talked to Caleb?” Jamie asked softly.

JB nodded, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth.

“I’m so sorry, mate.” He walked over and placed a hand on JB’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to freak you out. I just…” His voice wobbled.

JB’s eyes softened immediately. “Tell me what happened, Jamie.”

Fucking hell, JB always knew everything.

“I sort of… freaked out. On my bike,” he explained through the lump in his throat. A crease formed between JB’s brows. “I was fine at first, up until…”

“Tottenham,” JB finished quietly.

Jamie nodded. Saying that he ‘sort of freaked out’ was a gross understatement. Jamie nearly had a panic attack on the side of the road.

“I just—I was so excited to get back on the road, you know? I love biking.”

“I know,” JB murmured softly.

“Caleb bought me the perfect bike, and I thought I couldhandleit, but…” Tears burned behind his eyes as JB’s hand squeezed his shoulder.

“It is okay, my friend. It is okay.” He tugged off his glasses and pressed the heels of his palms into them. The familiar scent of JB’s fancy cologne surrounded him as he was pulled into a hug. Before he knew it, the dam in his chest burst.

Jamie sobbed into JB’s perfectly tailored suit in the middle of the museum exhibit. As his shoulders shook, JB said gently, “It will not always be like this. You took the first step, and that was very brave. Your body is still adjusting, yes?”

“I thought the adjustments were over,” Jamie hiccupped miserably.

“There will always be challenges.” JB brought a hand to the back of his head. “But there will always be friends here to help you through them.”

Jamie managed a weak smile against his shoulder, but it quickly faded. He pulled back slightly.

“Ugh, JB? Can you… not tell Caleb?”

JB frowned. “I already spoke to him. I told him you arrived safely.”