Visible Ghosts

18

Sang POV

Grocery shopping took longer than I expected. Zane is pulling into the driveway ten after three and I still haven't called Gabriel. I'm not sure how I feel about giving out my number. It's not that I don't like the guys but I have a feeling that once one of them has it, they'll all have it and then I won't get any peace and quiet from them.

Good thing I have a brother. "Hey, can you call Gabriel?"

Zane loops another bag through his arm and raises an eyebrow at me. "Didn't he tell you to call him?"

I don't respond as I gather the rest of the bags into my arms and close the hatch. "Yes, but I don't want them to have my number." I purse my lips. "It's not that I don't want them to, I just don't think it would be a good idea right now to do so."

"Whatever you say, buttercup. I think you're just scared." He says, somehow opening the garage door even though he's carrying so many grocery bags I can't see either of his arms or hands.

"Am not." I argue. "I just.. I don't know." I let out a sigh and place the bags on the kitchen counter. "Can you do it or not?"

"Yeah, I'll do it. Chill." Zane rolls his eyes, dumping everything he carried onto the floor then pulls out his phone. "What's his number?"

Grabbing the piece of paper he gave me at lunch, I place it on Zane's waiting hand. "Here ya go."

He punches in the numbers then sets his phone on the counter, the tell-tale sounds of the dial tone playing over his speakers.

"Oy. Trouble, it's about fucking time you called me." Gabriel's colorful words come through.

"Calm down, man it's only 15 minutes after 3." Zane complains.

"Oy, Zane. Where's Trouble?" Gabriel asks, his voice deflated.

"Right here Gabriel. You're on speaker." I tell him.

"Good. Now I have some shit to do for Mr. B in an hour but I should be done by 7:30. At least I fucking hope so. Anyway, I can have Vic drop me off at your place afterwards. What's your address?"

Panic runs through me when I think of someone else figuring out where we live. From the look in Zane's eyes, his thoughts are spiraling the same way mine are. As much as I would like to let people in, I can't. Having Axel here on Friday put me on edge and I'm still not over the nerves.

"Uh, Gabe, man. We're really out of the way. Why don't we just meet you at your place? That way no one has to pick you up later." Zane offers instead.

"Fuck, you're right. Yeah, let's do that. I'll text you the address." Gabriel rapid fires back to us. "Luke is going to shit his pants that you're coming over, Trouble. Actually if word gets out, everyone will try to make an appearance. If that's the case, those fuckers are going to eat all the fucking food in the fridge. I better call North to have him prepare some shit. Alright, I gotta run. I'll see you two later."

Without waiting for a response from us, Gabriel hangs up. Not even 30 seconds later, Zane's phone chimes with a text notification.

"Damn. I don't know whether to be impressed or annoyed with his multi-tasking skills. Looks like we're in for more than just a study sess."

Shrugging my shoulders, I start putting away the week's worth of groceries. "We don't have to stay long, you don't even have to go if you don't want to."

"Blah, blah. You know I'm going, I just hope we are actually able to get some work done. That math class is piling on the homework." Zane says from on top of the counter, not bothering with putting anything away. Typical.