Begin Again 2: RESET || Nate Maloley

{ three }

"I'm talkin' kegs, handles, smoke, and babes all up in here," Swazz said with inspiration & joy.

"I guess the babes are for you," Bea smiled. "Considering these other two guys are taken."

"Of course," Swazz cleared his throat. "Of course."

"Ya'll know you got nothin' to worry about." Nate rubbed my leg which was draped over his lap on the couch. I was reading a magazine through this entire conversation.

"I'm inviting other dudes too, just...not a lot, you know?" He laughed to himself. "Just gotta make some calls and we'll be set tonight."

Swazz stepped outside, Nate got up to use the restroom, and Bea went back to her room; leaving Jacob and I alone.

"Hey," Jacob whispered, putting the bong down on the floor.

"What's up?"

"You guys said they were tracking your phones right?"

"Yeah."

"They're not tracking ours, at least not mine."

"What are you...getting at?" I lowered the magazine.

"I was thinking about it." He leaned forward. "Use my phone to call your family, tell them to get out of there and go somewhere safe. So if shit hits the wall, they're nowhere to be found. Tell them to use cash when they travel. You guys should be using cash too. Cards only make you more trackable."

"That actually sounds like a plan. Wait, why are you whispering? Shouldn't Nate know about this too?"

"Let's just say I watch a lot of movies. There are ways to tap into someone's phone camera and microphone without them knowing. Plus Bea said she knows that Foosh guy, like what the fuck is that?"

"I don't think she's part of it though," I shrugged. "We came here last minute. She's innocent."

"I know she is...it's just...a small world, you know?" Jacob looked around and tossed his phone to me. "Here. Go in Swazz's room, leave your phone out here. If it rings, I'll let you know."

"Thank you, Jacob."

I went to Swazz's room with urgency and tried to collect myself before calling my mother. I knew she was going to be stubborn and ask 21 questions but I couldn't put us all at risk and tell her exactly what was going on.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Mom? Hey...it's Liv. Listen, I can't talk long-"

"Olivia! Good to hear from you. Whose number is this? Are you ever coming home this summer? At least for a week?"

"At the moment, no. But I need you to hear me out and listen closely."

"You're starting to worry me."

"Remain calm. I'm in a bit of trouble. I can't tell you what exactly. But I need you and Alex to get out the house. Go on a vacation or something. Cash only. Please. Please don't ask why."

"You know I will. If my children are at risk then I'm going to ask why. Can you call the cops?"

"That's just it. I'm being tracked. If I go to the cops or anything, I'm not sure what they'll do. So I need you to get out of there, mom. Please."

My bottom lip begins to tremble. I didn't know what else to say to make her get moving and I was scared she wouldn't listen.