Page 71 of The Price of Ice

Brad nodded, fork finding the last of his peas with impressive accuracy. “Haven’t known you long, but gotta tell you it seems to be a thing you do a lot.”

His first instinct was to deny it, but he stopped instead and tried to make it fit. “Well, you know my life is...” He waved.

“What you make it,” Brad finished for him, and Kallen straightened to stare at him. “That’s what made you decide to quit, right?”

He huffed, annoyed. It was true, but there was no reason to make it sound so... Well, simple. So simple he shouldn’t have needed anyone to come and tell him that he could quit a job where he was being abused. Except hehadneeded it, and Bradhad been that person. Or one of them anyway, his mum had tried to warn him too, and Levy hadn’t exactly been subtle about how he really felt.

Brad deserved to be thanked, but Kallen shrugged instead. “Yeah, I guess.”

“So what’s freaking you now?”

“Just... I almost didn’t, okay? It feels like I almost got run over by a lorry or something. And I didn’t even see it, so how do I know I won’t miss another one? Just get myself into another situation like this?”

“Mmm...” Brad was sipping at his coffee, which had to have gone cold while he cooked for them. “Well, the first lorry should have scared you enough that you will look around from now on?” he suggested.

“What about when they come at me with their lawyers and their bullshit?”

The other man looked back at him calmly, but something had shifted.You can run straight into this solid wall if you like, his eyes seemed to say. “You get your own lawyer and you go at them with the truth.”

“Oh.” He reached for his cup and found it empty. He wasn’t actually thirsty, it was just a distraction. He clenched his fists on his lap instead. “The truth. Does that ever work?”

“Less than it should, but more often than they want you to believe.”

“How are you so—” He cut himself off, because something about Brad’s attitude frustrated him, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. “Dunno, chill. I mean, I know it’s no skin off your nose if I get screwed—”

“Hey!” Brad interrupted. “I’m team Kal, don’t go around questioning my commitment. The moment you get t-shirts made; I’m ordering one.”

“Be serious.”

Brad huffed, which felt like a bit of a win. “I am serious. Not freaking out doesn’t mean I don’t care. Just means I know you can do it, man. Really, does everything have to be drama with you?”

Kallen glared at him but then deflated. “I’m not dramatic, my life is.”

The ‘uh huh’ that got him could have flattened a couple of minor philosophical theories. It was difficult to believe him, but the guyhadjust made him breakfast and was now listening to him moan about said life. Technically he was still getting paid, Kallen supposed, but then again, maybe he did mean it.

“So, can I have your number?”

Brad’s smile was contagious. “Now we’re talking.”

Chapter 28

Back when he’d been a child, the notion of his mother flying on her own to see him would have been absurd. It was always his dad who acted independently. But when he found her at the airport, she just looked tired.

At least until she caught sight of him and her face crumbled. A moment later she was dragging him down into an embrace that was not far from strangulation, breathing ragged. She pulled back only to look up at him incredulously. “What on earth...?”

“It happened yesterday,” he explained, realising she’d expected to see him on the wheelchair. And he hadn’t told her, like a total dick, because he’d been too busy worrying about what the White Cats might do to him. “I’ll tell you in the car, okay?”

Levy had argued that he shouldn’t drive so soon after, and Kallen got his concerns, but it was his decision. He knew he was fine, just like he knew he was sad.

It wasn’t great, but he thought it was a good sign, that he could feel it.

Rescuing her suitcase, he took her by the arm to lead her to the car park. “I’m okay,” he said. “Do you need some food?”

“Kallen, I don’t care about food right now. Have you... Have you changed your mind?” Her voice had gone thin and terrified.

He stopped in a corner to face her. “No,” he assured her. “I swear. I’m not staying, okay?”

She watched him, green eyes just like his own looking back at him warily. “Okay.”

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