16. Callum Maslow

Chapter 16

Callum Maslow

N ow that I was alone, I was nervous.

My mom, dad and more importantly, Sekani were in the next room over but that didn’t mean I wasn’t sweating bullets as I waited for Luke to arrive.

The door opened a handful of long minutes later.

Luke took two steps inside, and stopped. He had flowers in his hand, but now I suspected he only brought them as a show for my mom. He wasn’t actually wishing me well—he was probably the reason I was in the hospital to begin with.

“Callum!” He rushed forward.

I shifted in the bed, trying to move away from him.

My phone was already on the bedside table, turned face down and recording.

Luke sat on the edge of the bed. “You’re awake. I can’t believe it. How are you feeling? You look better.”

He sounded . . . concerned. But there was something in his gaze I didn’t trust.

“I woke up last night.” There was no need to lie to him about that, after all. I had just woken up. “I guess I was in a coma for six months?”

He nodded and squeezed my leg. “We were all so scared. I was starting to think you were never going to wake up. Are you doing okay?”

“So far. The doctors think it’s a medical miracle.”

Luke’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Where’s your mom?”

“She went to get some coffee.” I explained, clasping my hands together as I pulled my leg out from under his hand. I was proud of myself for keeping my tone even and calm. The last thing I wanted to do was give everything away. “Dad went home to get some clothes.”

“They must be so happy you’re up,” Luke said. “I can’t wait to tell everyone!”

I grinned and nodded. “The best part is, I can still submit my collection.”

Luke frowned and shook his head. “You can’t think you’re still going to finish it. You need to rest.”

“It was already finished,” I lied.

Technically, I finished it last night. Of course, Luke knew it was finished. He saw it yesterday; he was at my house.

“I don’t think you should stress about that stuff,” Luke said as he grasped my leg again. His fingers dug in.

“That hurts?—”

“I just think you should sit this one out,” he said. “You don’t need it.”

“It’s not like just because I submit my work, I’ll win. If someone else’s collection is better, they will get first place.”

“I need that award. I need the money. You don’t. You have enough!” Luke yelled, standing and pacing away from the bed. “Everyone thinks you’re so special. I could be as good as you. Better .”

“Ha! I’ve seen your paintings. You’re just a two-bit hack who rides my coattails. You couldn’t even steal correctly! You didn’t even have the talent to make my work your own.” I shouted back.

He leaped for me, his hands closing around my throat. I shoved at him, fought against his hold, but I didn’t have the strength to push him off as his fingers tightened around my throat. “I should’ve reversed! Then you’d be dead!”

The machines started to scream as I kicked my legs and banged at his chest. I opened my mouth but no sound came out.

Was I going to die for real this time? No.

No. Sekani wouldn’t let that happen.

Seconds later, Luke was gone and I was gasping for breath.

My throat burned as I wheezed.

“Are you okay?” Barnet tipped my chin back and inspected my neck. “Did you get everything on recording, Mr. Maslow?”

“I got it.” My gaze dropped to Luke. He was on the floor, blood streaming from his nose. Sekani had a knee on his back, holding him down.

Barnet turned, handcuffs ready, and Sekani yanked Luke to his feet. “Luke Swafford, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Callum Maslow. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”

I fumbled for my phone and turned the recording off, then emailed the file to Sekani as Barnet dragged Luke from the hospital room. He could forward it to her later.

“You son of a bitch!” Mom’s voice echoed from the hallway. The cursing was more shocking than the yelling in the quiet hospital. I don’t think I’d ever heard my mom curse. “You tried to kill my baby!”

Sekani eased the door closed and stepped towards me. He pushed the call button to alert the nurse before cupping my neck. “You alright, Ghost Boy?”

“Yeah.” I touched my throat. I would probably bruise, but at least I was alive. I’d figured Luke would yell and bitch and hopefully admit what he did, but— “I didn’t think he’d attack me.”

“Neither did I. I guess he’s dumber than we both thought,” Sekani said.

“Don’t you love it when a story has a happy ending,” River appeared in the doorway with Waylin, who was holding a teddy bear as big as the actual child in River’s arms—Isla.

“Did you kidnap Isla? We’ve talked about this, River.” Sekani sighed. “You can’t just take people’s children. And where in God’s name did you get that monstrosity, Waylin?”

River sat Isla in my lap and I ruffled her hair. She’d never seen me when she was over at Sekani’s house, but that never stopped me from playing with her, or stopped her demanding to be picked up when she knew I was around.

“Gift shop. Isla picked it out. Welcome back, Callum.” He set the bear next to me.

“Thanks.” I might not have made it back if they hadn’t been here to guard the door. I owed them.

“So can you see ghosts now or are you still boringly normal?” River poked my cheek and grinned.

“You can’t poke people who just woke up from a coma,” I said as Sekani slapped his hand away.

The hospital door opened again and my parents stepped in. My mother’s hair was all out of place; she looked as if she’d just been in a brawl. Maybe she had. She’d laid into Luke at the very least. They paused and I smiled. “This is River and Waylin—Sekani’s brothers. And this cutie is Isla, a neighbor.”

“Can . . . Can you see ghosts too?” Mom whispered.

“Yes,” River said. “River Young from RiverStyxs.” I doubt my parents had heard of him or his channel. I’d be surprised if they had.

“You’re not that popular, River,” Sekani said.

“Yet.” River sighed when no one in the room was impressed.

“Where is Mrs. Taffett? Why do you have Isla?” Sekani asked.

It was a good question.

“She needed a spa day.” River said.

Waylin rolled his eyes. “She picked up an extra shift at work.”

River poked his tongue out at Waylin.

I laughed and shook my head. Some things never changed.

“We can’t thank you all enough for what you did for our family,” Dad said.

“ They didn’t do anything,” I said, pointing to River and Waylin. “Sekani did everything.”

“You can hop off Sekani’s dick now,” River said, but he was still grinning.

“I haven’t hopped on it yet.”

“Callum,” Dad groaned, rubbing his face.

“This is the rainbow dildo all over again,” Mom muttered.

River started it. Who gets in an argument with someone in the hospital?

River.

And my mom.