Absent

Chapter 15

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"Hello?" Goosebumps raced over my skin and I wasn't sure if it was the night air or the sudden sound of his sleep-filled voice that caused them.

My breath, as well as my voice, was trapped in my throat and I blinked silently, holding the phone to my ear. I instantly felt stupid, wondering how I could possibly explain myself. What logical reason could I have for calling him in the middle of the night?

"Rowan?" Luca's voice called through the phone again, now verging on worry. I was obviously silent for too long. "Are you okay?"

I cleared my throat, cursing myself for ever calling. "Yes, I'm here."

I shut my eyes, trying to push down my overwhelming embarrassment. My anxiety hadn't left me yet and it was all I could do not to just hang the phone up.

"I shouldn't have called," I said. "I'm sorry I woke you up."

"Wait, did something happen,"

"Goodnight, Luca." I pulled the phone away and ended the call.

I stared at the blank screen for only a moment before tossing my phone on the porch chair behind me. I walked to the wooden railing and looked up at the sky, hoping the sight of the moon and the fresh night air would calm me down.

The air was chilly, but my skin was hot with embarrassment. I breathed out a long sigh, letting my eyes fall shut. For a few moments, I focused on my heartbeats, feeling them slowly begin to regulate. I focused on the sky, knowing that thinking about the dark house behind me would only bring my anxiety back.

It was likely nearing four in the morning, and I wasn't far from watching the sun come up, but I wasn't ready to go back in yet. I leaned my elbows on the railing, telling myself that staying hear all night wouldn't be so bad.

The sound of a car engine coming down the road caught my attention and I watched it disturb the quiet of the neighborhood. My first thought was that someone was leaving very early for work, or returning very late- but then I realized I recognized the car.

I pushed off of the railing, my eyes widening as Luca pulled to a stop in front of the house. I stared in shock for a moment before walking down the porch steps and waiting as he moved up the walkway.

"Luca, what?" I stuttered. "How?"

His eyes roamed over me before landing on my face. "Well, you look fine. So, why did you call?"

I gaped at him in utter disbelief. He'd driven here in the middle of the night for me? "I told you not to worry about it. It's almost sunrise, why are you here?"

"You didn't answer when I called you back," He said simply, as if that explained it. "I thought something happened."

"How did you even know where I was?" I could feel my eyebrows scrunching in question. He'd never been to this house before.

He was quiet then, hesitating to answer. The uncertain look on his face made me narrow my eyes on him.

"What, did you follow me here?" I asked him.

"No, of course not." He said immediately. I stared at him, waiting for his answer. "Your phone."

"My phone?" I glanced back to the porch chair where I had left it.

"It tracks your location." He said, not explaining further.

"You can track me with my phone?" I stared at him, registering that I had been walking around with a tracking device.

"Jason set it up to give your location to him, your parents, and me." He watched me. "Are you mad?"

I thought for a moment before shrugging. "No, why would I be mad?"