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Reggie’s throat was really sore.
It’d started hurting after music class. He and the rest of Julie and the Phantoms had performed “Stand Tall” for the first time and totally knocked it out of the park. Reggie had sung his heart out.
Afterwards, his voice had felt strained and swallowing had been uncomfortable. He’d chalked it up to how hard he’d been singing. It was Flynn’s first day back after recovering from Strep throat, and he’d wanted to impress her.
He always wanted to impress her.
But by the time dinner had rolled around, his throat was sore enough that swallowing was difficult, and his head had started to hurt. He could only poke at his meal, appetite completely gone from the pain in his throat and the uncomfortable, achy feeling spreading through his body. He wondered if he was getting sick like Flynn.
The thought made him look at Ray, who was chatting happily with Alex about school. Alex had decided to try out for the track team, which was apparently something Ray had done when he was a kid. They were sharing stories. Reggie really didn’t want to interrupt for something as stupid as a sore throat. It wasn’t like he was dying or anything. He’d definitely been through worse.
If anyone noticed he was quieter than usual during dinner, no one said anything. He helped clean up like he normally did, even though he felt clumsy and slow. He had to turn the tap to cool as he washed the dishes, since the warm water made his skin feel like it was burning. He thought of Flynn and how she’d been so sick her skin had hurt. He couldn’t tell if this was what she meant.
“Reggie, are you okay?” Ray asked him when he’d dropped a dish back into the sink for the second time. “You seem a little out of it.”
“I’m just tired,” Reggie said, trying not to wince. Talking made his throat hurt.
“Are you sleeping alright?” Ray asked carefully, “any nightmares?”
Reggie knew exactly what Ray was asking: Are you hallucinating again? After he’d developed Gifted Psychosis in January, Ray had been hypervigilant about Reggie’s eating and sleeping, clearly worried he was going to have another episode.
Reggie didn’t know how to feel about it. Ray was a really good dad, and it made sense he’d be concerned about him. But Reggie didn’t like it. Ray had enough to worry about without adding Reggie’s health to the mix. He knew his counsellor, Dr. Heightmeyer, wouldn’t like him thinking like that, but she didn’t see Ray worrying about all of them all the time, the way he did.
Ray hadn't asked to take on four teenage boys from the nineties. The least Reggie could do was try to make it easier for him. “I’m fine,” he said, forcing himself to smile. “No nightmares. I promise.”
Ray was still looking at him with worry. “Maybe you should go to bed early tonight? You’re looking kind of pale.”
My throat’s really sore, Reggie wanted to say, but he didn’t. He knew it was stupid not to tell Ray, but Reggie's parents hadn't really helped him when he was sick. He couldn’t shake the feeling maybe Ray wouldn’t, either. Like, what if Ray told him to shut up and go away, like his mom used to? Or like that time he'd told his dad he felt sick and his father had hit him for whining—
Reggie shook his head to clear the memories. He really didn’t want to think about it.
It was way easier not to say anything. He just needed sleep, like Ray said. “Okay,” he agreed.
Reggie finished up the dishes and went back to the studio. He had a biology test coming up, but his throat was hurting and his head ached, and all he wanted was to close his eyes. He texted Flynn.
Hey baby. I have a headache. Going to bed early. He read what he wrote, and wondered if he should tell her his throat was sore, then decided not to. She had the same biology class he did, and he knew she’d come over to take care of him instead of studying. He didn’t want her to get a bad mark because of him. Besides, he was pretty sure he just needed to sleep it off. He’d be fine.
She texted back immediately, asking if he was alright, if he’d taken any medication, and if he needed her to come over. He texted back that he was fine and that he’d taken an Advil. He actually hadn’t taken anything because it really hurt to swallow, but he knew she’d worry if he said that. Besides, he’d survived way worse pain than a little sore throat. He’d get an Advil before school in the morning.
I always need you, he wrote, Go study. I love you. Goodnight! He sent her about a hundred heart emojis and then plugged in his phone to charge, leaving it on the piano.
Brushing his teeth and taking off his clothes wasn’t pleasant. He was exhausted and the way his clothing rubbed against his skin was just shy of painful. He was also really cold despite the mild February temperatures, so sleeping just in his underwear wasn’t going to be an option. He took off the necklace Flynn had given him and coiled it carefully in the bathroom where he could put it back on in the morning. Then he found one of Alex’s pink hoodies and slipped it on, along with a pair of Luke’s sweatpants before crawling onto the sofa bed and pulling the blankets up to his chin.
He fell asleep.
The Orpheum was burning.
The fire was raging all around him, Alex and Luke. The smoke was so thick he could barely see.
“We have to get the fuck out of here!” Luke cried. He was on one side of Reggie; Alex was on the other. They were all crouched low on the floor of the stage, trying to avoid the heat and flames. “The back of the stage isn’t burning as bad as the front. We should make a run for it!”
“No. No way!” Alex was gripping the sleeve of Reggie’s leather jacket like it was a lifeline. “We can’t go that way!”
“It’s so hot,” Luke moaned. “We have to get out of here.”
Reggie felt it, too. The heat was suffocating, like being in an oven turned on high. He pointed to the back of the stage, where the fire still hadn’t reached. “We can go that way—"
Part of the ceiling crashed down. Reggie was knocked flat as flames roared everywhere. He pulled himself to his hands and knees. His ears were ringing and his head was pounding from the noise. His whole body hurt.
Luke was lying on the stage, unconscious. There was blood trickling from a wound on his head.
“Reggie, you have to teleport us!” Alex grabbed desperately onto him. “You’re the only one who can save us!”
“What? No!” Reggie cried, pushing at Alex’s hands. “Alex, I can’t! What if I teleport us into the future? I’ll never see Flynn again!”
Alex’s eyes were wide with fear and shone bright from the orange flames. “If we stay here, we’ll die!”
“Okay, okay.” Reggie didn’t want to leave Flynn, but he had no choice. He couldn’t let his boys die. He knelt down by Luke and pulled him into his arms. He looked at Alex. “Hold onto me.”
There was a flash of golden light, and Reggie disappeared.
It had been a really stupid call.
TK Strand looked over where Mateo Chavez was slouched in the passenger compartment of their rig, facing the windscreen. Mateo always got the seat behind the driver. His Gift was incredibly fast reflexes, and if anyone was going to spot danger on the road, it’d be him. But right now, Mateo looked like he was half-asleep.
TK got that. It was almost 11 p.m. at the end of February, and the Riverside Farms Road was dark. There was really nothing to see.
He and the fire crew of the 126 had gone for a call at one of the farms at the far end. The young daughter had been home alone for the first time, and she'd thought she’d smelled something burning. It turned out to be some dust on the heater she’d turned on. No danger at all, which was the way TK preferred it. Firefighting was great, but not when people were at risk.
Mateo stretched, straightened his back and then slouched down again. He shifted in his seat, looking between Marjan Marwani, who was driving, and their Captain, Owen Strand, to the road beyond.
TK nudged him with his shoulder. “You good?” What he meant was “did you see anything?” but he knew he didn’t have to say that out loud.
“I’m good.” Mateo nodded. “Just tired, you know?”
TK nodded as well. “Been a long day.”
Paul Strickland looked up from checking his phone. He was sitting with his back to Owen. “This was only our third call.”
“Third bullshit call,” Judd Ryder drawled. He was the only Austin native on the crew and his accent was all Texas. He was sitting beside Paul, facing Mateo and TK in the passenger compartment. “Doing nothing all day is more tiring than doing something.”
“Hey,” Owen said over his shoulder. “We don’t complain about quiet shifts, remember? I’d like to get some sleep tonight. It’s good for my complexion.”
Judd laughed. “TK, you’re the gay one. How the hell is it your dad who’s so vain?”
TK laughed, knowing Judd meant no harm. It was the first crew TK had been with where his being gay really hadn’t been a problem. “Firstly, that’s just a hurtful stereotype," he said with mock seriousness, "and secondly, I got my good looks from my mom.” He grinned as the rest of the crew laughed.
“TK gets his looks from me,” Owen retorted. “His personality is from his mother.” That caused another bought of laughter and TK sat back in his seat, grinning.
“My hair’s from my mother,” TK said.
There was a sudden flash of gold about 500 yards in front of them. Before TK had even moved, Mateo was already sitting forward and squinting at it, clearly trying to figure out what it was. His eyes widened.
Owen was still looking at them, facing away from the windscreen. “Rude!” he shot back. “I’ll have you know—"
“Marjan, luck!” Mateo shouted.
“Shit!” Marjan cried. There was the strange feeling of Marjan’s Gift rippling through them at the same time she slammed on the brakes. The fire truck swerved, tires sliding on the dirt as she deftly maneuvered twenty tons of vehicle out of its forward trajectory. The truck heaved to a stop a moment later.
“Ow. My head,” she muttered.
Owen had his seatbelt undone and his door opened in the next second. “Judd, take care of Marjan. TK, Mateo, Paul, you’re with me. Mateo, what did you see?”
The crew piled out of the truck, boots landing on the hard packed dirt of the road. “I saw a flash of what looked like a golden light. And maybe a person?” Mateo was peering into the darkness, trying to locate what he’d seen. TK was doing the same, but all he could see was dark road poorly lit by the moon. The only real illumination came from the fire truck’s lights, pointing off towards the ditch.
“He’s right here!” Paul said to them.
There was a young man standing on the dirt road just beyond the truck’s illumination. He was wearing a pink hoodie and sweatpants and his feet were bare against the dirt. He looked dazed and terribly pale as he squinted against the truck's lights. If Marjan hadn’t used her Gift, the truck would’ve clipped him for sure.
TK’s heart thudded in his chest. If Mateo hadn’t called out when he did, they would’ve killed him. He pushed past Paul to get closer, desperate to make sure the man wasn’t hurt. “Hey, buddy. You okay?”
“Wait!” Paul said, “don’t get too close—”
The young man’s eyes widened and there was another flash of golden light. He was gone.
TK took a step back, heart pounding. One second the kid was there, and the next he’d just…disappeared. “What just happened?”
“He’s a teleporter and you spooked him!” Paul said angrily. “I told you not to get too close!”
“You could’ve told me before I went—”
There was another flash of light out of the corner of TK's eye.
“There!” his dad pointed.
The boy was back, but this time he was about a mile ahead, his pink hoodie barely visible in the moonlight. As they watched, he bent over and retched violently. Then his knees gave way and he collapsed slowly to the ground. Mateo immediately started forward, but Owen caught his arm.
“TK, get the medical bag,” Owen ordered. “Paul, how do we get close without him spooking again?”
“Let me do it,” Paul said. “I know this kid.”
“You know him?” Mateo asked. “How?”
“Storytime later,” Owen said. “Paul, TK, let’s go. TK, let Paul approach first this time. I don’t want to be chasing this kid all over Travis County.”
“Captain.” TK nodded. He grabbed the bag and started doing a mental inventory of what they’d need to do when they got closer. He turned to Paul as they started walking. “You know this kid?”
“Remember the story I told you about a month ago, about that kid teleporting right in front of me at the H.E.B.? He’s the kid. That's Reggie Peters.”
TK gave a low whistle. “And he just did it again? That’s crazy.”
“That’s Marjan’s Luck Gift for you,” Paul said. “Weird shit always happens when she’s around.”
“And you did your thing on him?” TK asked. Paul’s thing was the name they’d all given to Paul’s Gift. He was incredibly observant—like Sherlock Holmes level—and had the ability to analyse what he observed to get vital information. Like the kid spooking if TK approached.
Paul glanced at him. “Of course. He’s from California. Living with someone who cares for him, but isn’t his parents. Was in a lot of trouble and scared to death of something when I met him, but he teleported away before I could find out what.”
“Damn.” TK said. “That sounds rough.”
“I hope things have changed for him. But teleporting back here late at night without any shoes doesn’t look good.”
“Maybe we can help him this time?” TK said hopefully. He remembered feeling that kind of lost and alone, where you wanted to leave everything and everyone. Only his escape had been alcohol and drugs, not distance.
“Maybe,” Paul said. “But only if you stay back and let me talk to him first. I don’t think he likes white guys. Especially in uniform.”
“Did you get that from doing your thing?”
“Well, the first time he showed up, I had a whole conversation with him before he teleported away. But he took one look at you, and ran,” Paul said. “And I ain’t white.”
They reached the young man before TK could answer, and he stood back while Paul approached. “Hey, Reggie,” Paul said softly as he knelt by the boy’s head. “You’ve teleported back to Texas. How you doing?”
Reggie was struggling to get himself up on his elbow. His eyes were bloodshot and looked glassy. He was far too pale, but the sharp lines of his cheekbones were flushed with colour. His arm gave way and he dropped onto his back. He looked severely hypoglycemic. TK turned on the flashlight strapped to his bunker gear and passed the blood glucose monitor to Paul, who took it with a nod of thanks. Then TK prepped a syringe of glucagon. Paul hadn’t given him any numbers yet, but TK was sure low sugar was part of the kid’s problem. California to Texas was a long way to go. “I’m calling an ambulance,” he said, and keyed his radio for dispatch, giving them instructions. He nudged Paul’s shoulder with his hand. “Glucagon is prepped.”
“No obvious injures, but he’s definitely got a fever. Sugar’s fifty.” Paul said. “Help me sit him up.”
A sugar of fifty was really not good. TK went over to Reggie’s other side. Reggie’s eyes focussed on him, and his eyes went wide with fear.
“Don’t teleport!” Paul commanded him, hands on his shoulders. “This is TK. He’s trained as a medic and he’s here to help you. Do not teleport. Do you understand me?”
Reggie nodded. He watched TK warily through half-closed eyes as TK helped him sit up and Paul managed to pull the hoodie’s collar aside enough to expose the lower part of Reggie’s shoulder. Paul cleaned the area with an alcohol swab and injected him with the glucagon. Reggie flinched, and TK grabbed his upper arm. “Don’t teleport!” he repeated Paul’s command, hoping it would help.
“That was sugar we just put into your muscle,” Paul said to him. “You should start feeling a bit better in a couple of minutes.”
Reggie nodded, but his brain was still clearly off-line. He listed sideways into TK and his eyes slid shut.
“Shit.” TK shook Reggie. He could feel the heat rolling off him, even through the hoodie and his medical gloves. The kid was in a bad way. “Reggie, come on. Wake up.”
Reggie’s eyes opened. He tried to say something but his voice was a harsh croak. He whimpered.
Paul’s eyes met TK’s. “Strep throat.”
“He’s got it bad,” TK didn't doubt his friend’s Gift for a second. “This kid needs a doctor.” He keyed on his radio and reported back to his dad, who was still waiting by the truck with Mateo. “I’ve called an ambulance.”
“Good, because we can’t take him in the rig,” Owen said. He keyed off and the fire truck started up and rolled closer, lights flashing.
“Nothing to do but wait,” Paul sighed. He sat back on his heels. “Damn Judd for complaining about a quiet night.”
TK chuffed out a laugh, then visually checked Reggie again.
The truck stopped a few feet from them and Owen and Mateo got out. “How’s Marjan?” TK asked. Marjan’s Gift brought those around her good luck all the time, but when she used it on purpose it took a lot out of her. He knew she’d be done for the rest of their shift.
“Sleeping,” Owen said. “She’ll be okay. How’s the kid?”
“Strep throat and hypoglycemia from teleporting from California,” TK reported.
“California?” Owen’s eyebrows shot up to his perfect hairline. “You’re serious?”
“This is the kid who teleported here from Hollywood in January,” Paul said.
There was the sound of sirens in the distance, and TK looked down the road to see the flashing lights signalling the arrival of the ambulance.
“Damn.” Owen put his hands on his hips as he looked a Reggie. “How’s this boy getting home?”
“No idea, Captain,” Paul said.
Flynn’s Gift sensed.
She paused, finger on the word she’d just been reading in her biology textbook as she tried to figure out why her Gift had gone off. There was nothing. No sirens sounded on the quiet street, nothing smelled like smoke. She got up from her desk and opened the door to her room. “Mom,” she called, “is everything okay?”
“I’m fine, Flynn,” her mother answered from where she was working at the dining room table. “Why?”
“My Gift went off,” Flynn said.
“Well, nothing’s happening here,” her mom said. “Unless it went off because I’m not going to win my case tomorrow.”
Flynn laughed. “You’ll be fine.”
“I hope so,” Bridget said. “Let me know if you figure it out.”
Flynn went back into her room and picked up her phone, rereading the last message from Reggie. Her eyes had barely skimmed his text when her Gift sounded again. It was shrill, like standing beside a fire alarm.
Reggie! Her heart tripled it’s beat. She dialed his number, suddenly desperate to hear his voice.
It rang. “Come on,” she muttered, “come on!” The phone was finally answered on the fifth ring. “Reggie?”
“Hey, Flynn,” Alex said, “It’s Alex. Is Reggie looking for his phone? Because he left it in the studio.”
A pit opened up in Flynn’s stomach. “Reggie’s not in the studio?”
“No…” Alex said slowly. “Why would he be here when he’s with you?”
“He’s not with me.” Flynn was proud of how even her voice sounded. “He texted me he had a headache and was going to bed.”
There was a pause and the sound of Alex moving. “Well, the bathroom’s empty. And. Um. He left his necklace?”
It felt like a large hand was slowly squeezing the air out of her lungs. Reggie never took off the necklace she’d given him, unless it was to shower or sleep. “Is he in the house?”
“He must be,” Alex said confidently. “Where else would he go?”
Out of phase, Flynn’s mind immediately supplied. She ruthlessly shoved the thought down. Now was not the time to panic. “I’m going to text Julie—”
“I’m already walking to the house,” Alex said. There were the muffled sounds of Alex walking and then opening the door of the house and going inside. “Hey,” she heard him call. “Is Reggie in here?” Flynn waited for the response with a fingernail in her mouth.
“He’s not here. Ray said he sent him to the studio to sleep. Like you said.”
The hand tightened around her chest and she had to fight for breath. “He texted me about an hour ago.”
“But he wasn’t in the studio,” Alex said. “Flynn, is he there and you’re just playing some stupid joke?”
“He’s not here,” Flynn repeated. Her heart was hammering. Her fear was so thick she could taste it.
“But that doesn’t make sense!” Alex still sounded like he thought Reggie and Flynn might be pranking him. “I mean, where would he have gone?”
“I don’t know,” Flynn said. She stood and went down the stairs. “I’m coming over.”
“You’re not joking, are you?” Alex’s voice was laced with concern. “Oh, shit.”
“Tell Ray,” Flynn ordered him. “I’ll be there soon.” She hung up. “Mom, I’m going to Julie’s.”
Bridget was reviewing notes for tomorrow’s trial. She looked at her daughter, concerned. “It’s after nine.”
“Reggie’s missing,” Flynn said tersely. “I need to find him.”
“Oh no. Is he sick?” Bridget’s eyes were wide and Flynn knew exactly what she was thinking. Flynn had told her about Reggie going to hospital because of Gifted Psychosis in January, and how he’d teleported to Texas and back. And how, if he’d gone any farther, he might’ve slipped out of phase again.
“It’s not a relapse!" Flynn said hotly, desperate for that to be true. "He didn’t teleport away because he’s sick!”
Her Gift sensed again, heavy and loud.
She burst into tears.
Reggie didn’t know where he was.
Everything was coming at him like a kaleidoscope: distorted and not making any sense.
He was pretty sure he was almost killed by a fire truck, but he didn’t remember seeing any firefighters when the Orpheum was burning. Was getting hit by a truck how he’d died? He thought he’d teleported away from the fire.
But then Bradley had appeared and tried to touch him. Reggie had teleported away so fast his head was swimming.
It was still swimming, because he thought he’d seen Paul Strickland. But that didn’t make any sense, because Paul was in Texas and Reggie was trapped by the flames in the Orpheum.
He was so hot he knew he had to be on fire.
Only, the fire was in his throat. It was so sore he couldn’t talk. It was like he’d swallowed the barbed wire that protected Bobby’s house. He could feel it, slicing with every breath. He’d thought the pain Caleb had caused him was bad. He didn’t know anything.
He hurt. His whole body hurt. His skin was burning.
He just wanted to go home.
“Do not teleport!” someone shouted at him. A heavy hand was placed on his chest where Alex’s hoodie should’ve been, but wasn’t. His chest was bare. He cracked his eyes open. Above him was a series of off-white tiles and florescent lights, moving past him at dizzying speed. It made him want to vomit and he shut his eyes.
Finally, the forward movement stopped, only for all of him to be moved sideways onto a softer surface. The heavy hand came off his chest, and a lighter one shook his shoulder. “Reggie,” a woman’s voice said. “Reggie, can you open your eyes?”
He didn’t recognize her voice. He couldn’t understand how she knew his name. He opened his eyes.
The woman had dark eyes and dark hair, but her demeanour reminded Reggie of Alison. Are you a doctor? Am I in a hospital? he wanted to ask, but even the thought of speaking made him want to cry.
Dimly, he knew he should be worried if he was in a hospital, but he couldn’t hold onto the thought. It was like his mind was blank except for the heat and the pain.
The woman who seemed like a doctor was talking to him, but he couldn’t focus on her words. He let his eyes slide shut.
Something was placed in his ear, but before he could react, someone else placed a cloth on his head. It was damp and cold and felt better than anything.
A compress, he thought. He knew what those were now. Because Flynn had been sick and had needed them.
Flynn! His eyes flew open. If he didn’t know where he was, she wouldn’t either. She’d think he’d left her, and he promised her he’d never leave. He had to go to her. He had to get home.
“Reggie!” the same voice shouted at him and the same heavy hand was back on his chest. “Don’t teleport! You’re too sick to use your Gift!”
It looked like it was Paul standing over him, holding him down. Reggie couldn’t teleport because he’d end up teleporting Paul, too. He didn’t have the strength to do that, but he had to get to Flynn. He pushed at Paul’s hand, trying to get him to let him go. His mouth was pried open and a stick was pushed down on his tongue. He gagged, which made his throat spasm in pain. He bucked and twisted, wanting to get away.
“Kid’s a fighter,” a different person said. It was the white guy in the uniform, and Reggie froze, heart racing. For a second Reggie was so sure it was Bradley he almost teleported with Paul’s hand still on his chest.
“Will you back off, TK?” Paul said, “kid doesn’t like you!”
“His temp is 104, and his throat’s a mess. We need to get him calm. Can we get some meds started please?” That was the maybe-doctor.
The cold cloth was put back on his forehead. Someone grabbed his wrist, and then there was a sharp pain in the back of his hand. He flinched, but couldn’t pull his hand away. It was followed by the strange feeling of something cold flowing into him. The cold liquid felt almost as good as the cold cloth and he sighed. It was incredibly soothing on his burning skin.
“Don’t teleport, okay?” Paul said softly. “Let the doctor do her job and take care of you.”
She was a doctor. Reggie was proud he got that right. He wanted to tell Paul he had to teleport home, because Flynn would be worried about him. But his throat was still full of barbed wire and it hurt too much. He wanted to figure out where he was, but it was like there were weights attached to his eyelids, and he couldn’t keep them open.
“Sedatives are working,” the doctor said. “You can take your hand off.”
The heavy weight of Paul’s hand came off his chest, but the heavy weight attached to his eyelids didn’t.
Reggie fell asleep.
“Well, that was fun,” the doctor said wryly. “It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with a patient with really low blood sugar and a really high temperature at the same time.”
“Is he going to be okay? Kid seemed really out of it.” TK glanced at Paul as he spoke, feeling bad for how he’d clearly terrified the young man. Paul patted his shoulder in a silent show of “not your fault.”
“Nothing a little dextrose, a few antipyretics and a lot of amoxicillin can’t fix.” She waved her hand dismissively. “We’ll keep him for the rest of the night and then discharge him in the morning.”
“You’re going to discharge him?” Owen said.
The doctor looked at him, one eyebrow raised. “That’s the usual course of action when emergency medical treatment is no longer required.”
“His family’s in California,” Owen said. “We were hoping for a bit of time to track them down.”
The doctor frowned. “Well, I can get social work to come speak with him in the morning to find him a place to stay, but we can’t keep him here for convenience. We’ll give him two doses of IV antibiotics, make sure he has a sandwich and send him…somewhere.” She turned to go.
“But he’s a teleporter. He’s going to teleport the second you take his sedation off,” Paul said.
The doctor turned back. “I didn’t see any evidence of that.”
“That’s because Paul was leaning on his chest,” TK said. “He can’t teleport if someone else is touching him.” He had no idea if that was true, but Reggie had stayed put when Paul had hands on him. It was as good a theory as any.
“We’ll do our best to manage his Gift, but I can’t just keep him sedated if it’s not medically necessary,” the doctor said. “My plan is to discontinue it as soon as his glucose stabilizes and his fever goes down.”
TK saw Paul’s eyes widen in concern, which he totally got. If the kid had teleported from Hollywood, where’d he end up next? A mile off Galveston in the Gulf of Mexico? TK’s gaze met Owen’s, asking for permission. Owen nodded. “I’ll stay with him,” TK said immediately. “Keep him from teleporting. I can…hold his hand or something.”
“I can stay,” Paul said to him. “Might be better if it’s me.”
TK knew Paul only meant that Reggie seemed scared of him being in uniform, but it was amazing how much it stung. All that TK wanted to do was help people, not terrify teenagers who were already out of their mind with illness. Paul was probably right. He opened his mouth to agree.
“He can take his uniform shirt off. Problem solved,” Owen said.
It was moments like this where TK remembered his dad was an excellent captain. “Thanks!” he beamed and started unbuttoning his shirt. He’d have Paul put it back in his locker for him.
“Glad that’s settled,” the doctor said. “Let me know if you get any more information than his name for the chart. A date of birth would be nice.” She left.
“Charming,” Owen muttered.
“Super charming,” Paul agreed. “Think she’s single?” he grinned. TK threw his shirt at him.
“TK, since you’re going to be sitting here for a while, get your boyfriend to see if he can track down Reggie’s family.”
TK grinned at Owen. His boyfriend Carlos was a police officer with Austin PD. He’d definitely know how to find Reggie’s family. “That’s a great idea, dad.”
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks,” Owen said with a sigh. “I’ll have someone bring you your duty bag later on.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I should go check on Marjan and the others. Make sure she’s resting and Judd hasn’t gotten lost looking for coffee.”
“I’ll come with you,” Paul said. “Night, TK. Keep our boy safe.”
“Will do.” TK mock saluted the two firefighters as they left through the room’s glass doors and went out into the ED. There was a plastic chair against one of the walls, and TK pulled it over to Reggie's bed. The kid was still heavily asleep and didn’t look like he was going to wake up any time soon.
TK sat down and moved the chair close enough, he could easily grab Reggie’s arm if the boy looked like he was going to teleport. He really did look like a boy, now he was asleep. He looked young and terribly pale; definitely someone who shouldn’t be 1500 miles from home on their own.
With that thought, TK took his phone out of his pocket and pulled up Carlos’ number. Hey Babe, he texted, I got a job for you.
The response was almost immediate: Does this job involve me not wearing any clothes? with far too many winky-face emojis.
TK chuckled. No. Need you to track down a kid’s family in Hollywood. Reggie Peters. No date of birth.
His phone rang a moment later. “Who you rescuing now?”
TK laughed, and then told his boyfriend the story. “So, what do you think?”
“I think there’s probably a family in Hollywood desperate to find this kid,” Carlos said. “I’m Googling his name now.”
“Googling?” TK asked, incredulous. “Don’t you have some super-special police database or something? I mean, I could’ve Googled—”
“Holy shit,” Carlos interrupted him. “This kid’s famous!”
“Famous?” TK looked at Reggie again. The boy was still deeply asleep. TK studied his face and waited for a jolt of recognition, but there wasn’t any. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. He’s part of a band called Julie and the Phantoms. Their music’s really good!”
TK smiled fondly down the phone even though his boyfriend couldn’t see it. “Just because their band has a few YouTube videos doesn’t mean they’re famous.”
“They have over 750 thousand hits.”
“Still not famous.” TK laughed. “Is there any information posted we could actually use? Like, does the video list a producer or an agent or something?”
“The videographer’s name is listed. I’m going to Google him. See if I can find a contact.”
“Call me back when you find anything?” TK said, and then, “I love you,” because he could.
He could hear Carlos’ smile. “I love you, too.” He hung up.
TK held his phone in his hands and thought for a moment. He pulled up his Instagram. “Julie and the Phantoms,” he muttered as he keyed the band’s name into the search bar.
He found it right away and was mildly impressed with their large number of followers. It was a cute page, full of happy pictures and videos of the band hanging out together and playing music, with concert details thrown in every once in a while. There were several pictures of Reggie on the feed, and all the locations were in and around Los Angeles. It looked like Paul had been right.
TK pressed the “message” tab on the profile page. My name is TK Strand, and I’m a firefighter with the Austin Fire Department, he wrote. Reggie Peters is here in hospital and TK frowned at the sentence. Telling whomever was monitoring their social media Reggie was in hospital was going to cause a lot of stress. He erased it and tried again. Reggie Peters is here in Austin. He’s okay, but we’d like to find his family. Are you able to help? He pressed send.
“Let’s hope someone’s monitoring your social media, buddy,” TK murmured to Reggie. He sat back in the chair and waited.
“Thank you for coming, officer,” Ray said to the imposing woman standing in the doorway.
“The LAPD takes the disappearance of minors very seriously,” she said as she came into the house.
Ray immediately wanted to correct her. When Willie had disappeared, they refused to even send an officer until he’d been gone over 24 hours. But he kept his mouth shut. He needed her help.
She was short, but her presence made her seem tall. Her hair was cropped and straightened and her expression made her look equal parts competent and dangerous. Ray took a step back in reaction. “And, please. Call me Athena,” she said.
“Athena,” Ray repeated. The name suited. He led her into the living room, where Flynn and Alex were sitting on the couch next to each other. He’d asked them to stay, since they’d been the ones to first realize Reggie had gone missing. Willie, Julie, Luke and Carlos were upstairs, safe and out of the way.
Ray sat next to Alex and Athena sat in a chair opposite the three of them. She took a notepad and a pen out of her pocket and flipped it open. “So, your son’s gone missing?”
“That’s right,” Ray said, not bothering to correct her about that, either. He explained how he’d sent Reggie to bed around eight p.m. because he wasn’t feeling well, and how Alex and Flynn had discovered him missing approximately an hour later. He also told her about Reggie's history of Gifted Psychosis. “He left without his phone or his shoes,” Ray explained. “That’s why we’re worried.”
“We think he teleported somewhere,” Flynn blurted. Her eyes were red-rimmed and shiny from her distress. Ray knew she was using every ounce of strength to keep from breaking down. He’d yet to see her cry.
“He’s Gifted, right? Suffers from Gifted Psychosis?” Athena confirmed. “And you think he’s having a relapse?”
Alex and Flynn looked at each other. “We’re not sure?” Alex said finally. “I mean, he seemed fine?”
“He was with me on the weekend. I didn’t notice anything.” Flynn tilted her chin up, as if defying someone to say she’d missed something. Ray didn’t have the heart to remind her she’d been ill the whole time, so she might not have noticed Reggie sliding.
“I’m sure you didn’t miss anything,” Athena said kindly, and Ray immediately decided he liked her. “But you think he may have started hallucinating again and…teleported somewhere?”
“It’s kind of what happened the first time?” Alex said with a wince. “He thought he was being haunted by the ghost of his father—who’s not dead, by the way—and he teleported to the Hollywood sign to sleep? None of us knew he was doing that.”
Athena’s dark eyes narrowed. “Do you have a picture?”
“Here.” Flynn pulled up the Julie and the Phantoms Instagram page and showed Athena. “The one beside me is Reggie.”
Athena studied the photo for a moment. “I'll be damned,” she murmured. “I met him in January at the sign when I was on patrol. He teleported away then, too.”
“He teleported all the way to Texas in January. We didn’t know he could do that,” Alex said.
Flynn’s head snapped up. “Texas!” she cried. “Oh my God, he’s in Texas!”
Athena’s eyes went straight to her. “How do you know that?”
“My Gift,” Flynn said.
“She’s a Cognitive. Her Gift will sense and tell her things.” Ray grimaced, knowing he hadn’t explained it very well. He wasn’t 100 percent sure how Flynn’s Gift worked.
“Where in Texas? It’s a pretty big place.” Athena was looking at Flynn for answers, believing her without hesitation. Ray decided he liked her a lot.
It was strange to think Reggie had ended up in Texas again. Ray had just been there on the weekend fishing with Bobby…. He slammed down that train of thought. He could think about Bobby when Reggie was safe.
“I don’t know,” Flynn said, defeated. “My Gift isn’t very precise.”
“It’s okay, at least it’s a place to start,” Athena said comfortingly. “I’m going to go back to the station and contact the Texas Rangers and the Highway Patrol. See if I can get their help to find him.” She handed Flynn a card she pulled out of one of the pockets on her tac vest. “Please text me a couple of pictures I can distribute.”
“Absolutely.” Flynn took the card and immediately bent over her phone.
Athena stood and Ray stood with her. She gave Ray a card as well. “Don’t hesitate to call me if something comes up, and I’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything.”
“Thank you so much,” Ray said as he walked Athena back towards the door.
“We’ll bring him home safe,” Athena said with a gentle squeeze to Ray’s forearm.
“Ray,” Flynn said behind him, then she screamed: “Ray!”
Ray and Athena spun to face her. Ray’s hand was against his chest. “Mija! What’s wrong?”
“A firefighter in Austin just DM’ed the Julie and the Phantoms page. Reggie’s with them! They found him and he’s okay! He’s okay—” Her voice broke and she fell into Alex’s arms, sobbing.
“Well, my night just got a whole lot easier,” Athena said with a grin.
“Thank you!” Ray said to her, like she had anything to do with it. The tension he’d been holding since he realized Reggie was missing dissipated all at once. He was feeling both giddy and faint with relief.
“I’m glad it’s ended well,” Athena said. “And safe flight to Austin.” She left.
“I’m coming,” Flynn said immediately. “I don’t care how much it costs. I’ll use my college—”
“We’re not making that decision tonight,” Ray said. He could imagine how much Flynn wanted to see Reggie, considering he was desperate to see the boy himself. But he wasn’t going to take her if Reggie was actually in a really bad way. “Let’s talk to this firefighter first, see how Reggie’s doing.”
“I’ve got their number. Their name’s TK?” she read from the message. “Is that a name?”
“Sounds really Texan,” Alex said. “Is Reggie okay?”
“TK says he is,” Flynn said. Her smile was so wide her face must have hurt. “Can we call him now?”
“Please,” Ray said. “And Alex, can you please go upstairs and tell everyone Reggie’s been found?”
Alex took off like a shot. “Guys! Reggie’s okay!” he bellowed halfway up the stairs.
Flynn had her phone cradled to her cheek. “It’s ringing.”
“You’re home late, boy.”
Reggie froze at the sound of his father’s voice. He shut the front door behind him, careful to not make too much noise. “I was practicing at Bobby’s house.”
“'I was practicing at Bobby’s house',” his father mocked him. He took a swig of the drink he was holding. Reggie could smell the whiskey, harsh and pungent.
Reggie came further into the house, wondering if he could make it all the way to his bedroom without his father coming after him. “I’m going to go to bed.” He pressed himself as close to the wall as he could as he passed his father in the narrow hallway.
Bradley grabbed his shoulder. “You tired? Tired from staying out late, playing music? Or maybe you were with that little slut you call a girlfriend.” He leered as he said it, smirking against the rim of his glass.
Dimly, Reggie was aware it didn’t make sense for his father to be insulting Flynn. Reggie had died nearly ten years before Flynn was even born; there was no way Bradley could know she existed. But his father had insulted her. Reggie was too angry to think about anything else.
“Don’t you dare talk about Flynn like that! She’s a better person than you’ll ever be!”
Bradley backhanded him across the face.
Reggie woke up, heart pounding. The room he was in was dark and unfamiliar. There was a man sitting beside his bed, hand resting on the back of Reggie’s wrist. “Luke?” he croaked. His throat was dry and hurt.
The man raised his head. “Oh, hey. You’re awake.”
Reggie’s heart seized in panic. Bradley! He had to get away—
The man’s hand tightened around his wrist and his eyes went wide with concern. “Don’t teleport!”
It wasn’t his father. Reggie stopped trying to tug his wrist out of the man’s grasp. “Who are you?” he asked, then grimaced. His throat was really sore.
“I’m TK Strand,” he said. “We met earlier tonight when you teleported in front of our fire truck? Maybe you don’t remember.”
Reggie had a vague memory of TK and Paul Strickland taking care of him…somewhere outside? He didn’t know why he'd remember Paul being there, unless… “Am I in Texas?”
“Yeah.” TK grinned like he’d gotten the correct answer on a really hard quiz. “You teleported to Austin from Hollywood. That’s pretty impressive.”
No wonder Reggie felt like shit. He hadn’t eaten any dinner because of his sore throat; he must’ve burned up all his sugar. Then he realized he hadn’t asked the most important question: “What year is it?” He couldn’t keep the fear out of his voice.
“2021,” TK said. “February 25th to be exact.”
“Tomorrow’s my birthday,” Reggie said, because his mind had blanked at everything but the date. He was so happy he hadn’t gone out of phase.
“Oh yeah?” TK was still smiling at him like he was acing a test. “The hospital’s going to be really happy to have that info. How old are you going to be?”
“Eighteen,” Reggie answered by remote. He was thinking about how far away he was from Hollywood, and how he’d teleported without meaning to. Again. He wondered if Flynn knew he was gone.
“Happy birthday,” TK said, still smiling. “Any big plans?”
“We already had a party last weekend,” Reggie said. He remembered how sick Flynn was. She’d cried in his arms, scared he’d teleport away and leave her forever. He’d promised her he wouldn’t. “I need to tell my girlfriend where I am.” He tried to sit up.
“Not so fast, buddy. You’re still really sick.” TK stood, gently pressing down on Reggie’s shoulders so he couldn’t move.
“Please,” he tried, “she’s going to be really worried. She’ll think I left. And I promised—!”
“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” TK said. He sat down and took Reggie’s wrist again. “I’m pretty sure I already spoke to her. Before I spoke to your dad. Is her name Flynn?”
“Yes!” Reggie exclaimed. “Does she know I’m okay?”
“You’re not exactly “okay”,” TK said wryly. “Your blood sugar was really low and your temp was really high when we first brought you in. But yeah, I let her know where you were and that you were getting medical care. Your dad’s flying out to get you in the morning.”
“Oh.” Reggie immediately felt bad. Ray was spending money flying out to Texas when he should’ve been at work. All because Reggie lost control and teleported too far. “He doesn’t need to do that. I can teleport home—”
TK’s hand tightened on his wrist again. “Pretty sure the doctor’s going to have something to say about you not teleporting for a while. Seriously, Reggie, you were sick when we brought you here. You really need to save your strength to get better.”
Which meant he was trapped. Tears of frustration pricked his eyes. He’d let everyone down. He’d let Flynn down. She’d never trust him again. His eyes burned and he blinked. He really didn’t want to cry in front of this guy he didn’t know. “Could I please be alone?”
TK looked upset. “I’m really sorry, but I can’t do that. I need to hold onto you to stop you from teleporting.”
Reggie glanced down at his wrist. TK’s hand was still encircling it. “Has your hand been there all night?”
“Yeah?” TK’s cheeks pinked. “It seemed the best way to keep you here. You know, in case you woke up and got scared.”
Which was exactly what happened. “I can teleport up to five people.”
“Really? Wow. You’re really powerful.” TK looked at Reggie’s wrist, and then removed his hand, putting it in his lap. “Guess I didn’t need to be doing that,” he said, embarrassed.
“No,” Reggie said. “That…was really nice of you. To try to help me like that.”
TK shrugged. “It wasn’t that big a deal. But, you’re welcome.”
They lapsed into silence. Reggie turned his head so he could look out the window of the hospital room. The sky was already beginning to lighten with the coming dawn. As he watched, one star faded, then another. He wondered if that was a metaphor for his relationship with Flynn: Once bright and beautiful as a star, but now fading because of how he’d betrayed her. He wondered if she’d ever be able to forgive him.
“So, can I get you anything? A drink maybe?” TK said after the silence had extended even further.
Reggie shook his head. He was trying to imagine what it would be like when he saw Flynn tomorrow. Would she break up with him right away? Or would she wait until his throat was better? Don’t catastrophize, Dr. Heightmeyer’s voice reminded him, but he couldn’t help it. There was no way Flynn could forgive him for this. He’d broken his promise and left her. He really didn’t deserve her love. Against his will, a tear slid down his cheek. Angrily he brushed it away.
She was going to break up with him on his eighteenth birthday. He couldn’t imagine anything worse.
“Whoa, are you crying? Are you in pain? Do you need me to call the nurse?” TK shifted closer, worried.
“I think my girlfriend’s going to break up with me,” Reggie confessed. He didn’t know TK at all, but he was sick and sad he couldn’t keep it inside.
“Flynn? No. No way.” TK shook his head. “That girl is crazy about you.”
Reggie gave a small smile in response to TK’s certainty. “I broke a promise.”
“Hey, not all broken promises are the end of the world. She’ll probably forgive you.”
“I don’t know,” Reggie said miserably. “She was scared. Scared about my teleporting and doing something just like this. And I promised her I wouldn’t, but I just did.”
“But she must’ve known you were sick!” TK protested, like he was actually defending Reggie to Flynn. “No one can be held responsible for what they do when they have a really high fever!”
Reggie bit his lip. “I didn’t actually tell her?”
That made TK pause. “You didn’t tell her you were sick?”
Reggie shook his head. He swiped at another tear.
TK was still looking at him. “She’s your girlfriend. Why didn’t you tell her?”
Because I didn’t think it’d be this bad, Reggie wanted to say, but he knew it was a lie. He looked out the window to the lightening sky and told TK the truth. “I didn’t want to bother her.”
“You didn’t tell her you were sick because you didn’t want to bother her?” TK repeated.
“She has a biology test coming up,” Reggie said. “She has enough on her mind.”
TK sat up, eyebrows drawn. “Wait. You’re saying, your girlfriend would rather study for her biology test then take care of you?”
Reggie mind went back to his parents, and how they ignored him when he was sick. He always had to go to school, no matter how ill he was. He knew Flynn wouldn’t do that to him. She’d even told him on the weekend she’d take care of him if he was sick, but what if she hadn’t meant it? “I don’t know.”
TK eyed him. “Let me tell you something, kid. When someone loves you, they want to take care of you. More than study for a biology test. Trust me on that.”
“Guess my parents never loved me,” Reggie said. He meant it as a joke but the expression on TK’s face let him know he’d really missed the mark.
“Shit, Reggie,” TK said softly. “I’m really sorry. I mean, that guy Ray seemed really nice, but—”
“Ray’s not my biological father,” Reggie said quickly. “But he takes care of me now. And he is really nice. He’s awesome. I don’t live with my biological parents anymore.”
“Ray seems pretty awesome,” TK said, and then: “I’m glad you got out. It’s pretty hard living somewhere you don’t feel wanted.”
There was a wealth of history to that one statement, and Reggie debated leaving it alone. But it was really early in the morning. and he was 1500 miles from home lying in a hospital bed. “Did that happen to you?”
TK’s lips curled up humourlessly. “Yeah, kind of.” He ran his hands over his head. “Things are good with my dad now, but…”
“I’m sorry,” Reggie said sincerely.
TK shrugged. “Shit happens.”
They lapsed into silence again. The nurse came in, raised the head of his bed, brought him some water and changed his IV, telling him it was his second dose of antibiotics. She patted his shoulder and left. Reggie sipped experimentally on the water. His throat was still sore but much better than it was. Clearly the antibiotics were working.
“Can I give you some unsolicited advice?” TK said after Reggie had drunk about half the cup. At Reggie’s nod, he continued. “Talk to your family. Talk to your girlfriend. Tell them when you’re sick, or you’re hurting, or you need help. Tell them all of it.”
It was the same advice his psychologist had given him. Reggie had thought he was getting better at talking about stuff, but maybe he wasn’t. “Okay,” he said.
“I mean it,” TK said, as if Reggie wasn’t going to. “Because, instead of just telling my parents what I needed, I got myself addicted to alcohol and drugs and it nearly killed me. You teleported yourself to Texas and it nearly killed you. Not talking is dangerous, and can be deadly. So maybe, use your words?”
Reggie put the water down on his tray table. “But I already broke my promise to Flynn,” he said softly. “It’s too late.”
“That girl loves you,” TK said with complete certainty. “Hell, I had one phone conversation with her and I could tell. Tell her what happened. She’ll understand.”
Reggie wasn’t so sure, but he let TK’s words give him a glimmer of hope. “You really think so?”
TK smiled. “Absolutely.”
Flynn and Ray had boarded the first flight to Austin at 6:45 a.m., California time.
Bridget, understanding her daughter’s anxiety, had let her go without any issue. Flynn even had a note in her pocket letting the security guards know she had her mother’s permission to travel, but they hadn’t even asked.
“Bring him home safe,” Bridget had said when Flynn had left at 4:30 that morning. Flynn had hugged her as tightly as her arms would allow, so grateful her mom understood how much Reggie meant to her, and how quickly Bridget had adopted him, too.
She was now sitting beside Ray in the small passenger jet, anxiety crawling through her. The firefighter she’d spoken with had said Reggie was sick, but otherwise okay. He’d had Strep throat, just like she’d had the weekend before. She bit her lip.
“Is it my fault Reggie got sick?”
Ray looked over at her. He’d been staring out the window at the infinite blue sky beyond. “How could it be?”
“Because I kissed him when I was sick?” Flynn confessed. “He must have caught it from me.”
Ray tilted his head in agreement. “Yeah, he probably caught it from you. Strep throat is really contagious.”
Flynn’s heart skipped a beat hearing Ray casually confirm her fear. “I got him sick,” she said again, feeling sick herself. “If he’d gone out of phase it’d be my fault.”
Ray looked at her quizzically. “How would it be your fault?”
“Because he caught it from me! Who else’s fault would it be?
“The germ’s?” Ray said. “Spreading person to person is what they’re designed to do.”
“But I kissed him!” Flynn said again. “He wouldn’t’ve caught it if we hadn’t.”
“You don’t know that. He might’ve gotten sick regardless. He was with you the whole weekend, after all.”
“But he teleported because he was sick!” Flynn said adamantly, trying to make Ray understand. “What if he went out of phase—”
“But he didn’t,” Ray interrupted gently. “He didn’t, and you can’t torture yourself with ‘what ifs’. He’s safe. That’s all that matters.”
Flynn mulled that over. She knew she’d had no intention of him getting sick. She hadn’t even thought about it. Now she wished she had. “Do you think we packed him enough clothes?”
“We’re only staying long enough to pick him up and take him home, so yes?”
Flynn nodded. “He left without shoes. Did you get shoes for him?”
“Yes. His running shoes. And socks too, before you ask.”
Flynn nodded again. “How about his phone? It was on the piano—”
“I have his phone. And ID, and some toiletries, and even a snack in case he’s hungry. We’re going to take care of him, mija, don’t worry.”
Flynn nodded yet again, but the pit in her stomach hadn’t lessened. “Did you get his necklace? Alex said he’d left it in the bathroom.”
“Yes, I did.” Ray eyed her. “Flynn, what’s this about?”
“He didn’t tell me he was sick. He took care of me, but he didn’t let me take care of him. Why didn’t he tell me?” Her mouth twisted. “I don’t even know what I did wrong.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Ray said. “Reggie’s parents abused him, and he’s not used to people genuinely caring about him. Especially when he’s vulnerable. He didn’t tell anyone he wasn’t feeling well, including me. You haven’t done anything wrong. I promise.”
“He told me they didn’t take care of him when he was sick. They sent him to school and it was Luke, Alex and Bobby who took care of him. Isn’t that awful?”
“So awful.” Ray grimaced. “His parents are horrible people.”
“Makes me want to shank a bitch,” Flynn said.
Ray laughed. “I totally hear where you’re coming from. But do you see what I’m saying, mija? Reggie’s still learning that he’s safe—and loved. He’s not going to get it right every time. Just be patient. He’ll figure it out.”
Flynn thought a moment, trying to get it straight in her head. While it was a relief to know it wasn’t about her, Ray’s words had made her heart hurt. It was really hard to think about everything Reggie had suffered. “So, he didn’t tell me because he didn’t know he could?”
“That, or he didn’t think he should. He might not even really know why he didn’t. But for sure it wasn’t because of anything you did wrong.”
“How do I help fix this?” Flynn asked quietly. “I just want Reggie to feel safe.”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. Keep loving him as fiercely as you have been. The more constant and consistent your love is, the more he’ll realize it’s not going anywhere and he’ll feel more comfortable opening up.” He patted her knee. “He’ll get there, don’t worry.”
Keep loving him fiercely. It was a really good description; Flynn did love Reggie fiercely, with every fibre of her being. She knew she’d never stop.
And maybe, one day, he’d even believe it was real.
Austin was two hours ahead of California, and even though Ray’s flight had left at around 7 a.m. California time, Reggie knew he wouldn’t get there until at least 1 p.m. in Texas. It was already well after twelve. He paced the hospital room, borrowed socks sliding along the floor.
His nurse had come in around seven in the morning, made him eat a pretty decent breakfast of cream of wheat and two glasses of juice, and then discontinued his IV. As soon as Ray arrived, he could go home.
It felt like he’d been in hospital forever.
TK was still sitting in the chair, looking worn and tired from being up all night practically holding Reggie’s hand. They’d been chatting on and off all morning. Reggie had seen a lot of photos of TK’s fire crew and his boyfriend. Now, TK was scowling at him. “Relax,” TK said to him for the umpteenth time. “He’ll get here when he gets here.”
Reggie nodded, not really listening. He still felt really guilty Ray had to make the trip. But TK had been right about the doctor not wanting him to teleport. When she’d come by during rounds that morning, she’d told him not to even think about teleporting for at least a week, glaring at him the entire time. If Ray wasn’t coming for him, it’d be a while before he could get home on his own.
But he really didn’t like it.
What if he’s mad? he wanted to ask TK, but didn’t. It probably sounded stupid to be worried his dad would be angry coming to get him after he’d been sick. But then again, Bradley had hit him once for throwing up in his bed and made him change it himself. Maybe it was normal for parents to be mad when kids were sick. He wished he knew.
TK got up and stood in front of Reggie. “Hey, hey! Relax! You’re wearing a hole in the floor.”
Reggie stopped walking. “I’m just nervous, okay?”
“Because your dad’s coming?” TK raised his eyebrows. “Wait, is it the bad one on the plane, because I thought it was Ray—”
“It’s Ray,” Reggie interrupted him. “My biological dad doesn’t know I’m here.” Or alive, but TK didn’t need to know that.
TK frowned. “But, you like this dad.”
“Yes, I like Ray!” Reggie snapped, then sighed. “Sorry,” he muttered.
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why are you nervous?” TK leaned his hip against the bedrail. “Is Ray not as awesome as you said?”
Reggie opened his mouth, then shook his head. “Never mind.”
TK gave him a flat look. “I thought we talked about you, you know, talking.”
That was true. Reggie ran his hand through his hair, feeling leftover grit from when he’d collapsed on the dirt road the night before. “I’m just scared he’ll be mad, okay?” It felt terrible to say that out loud. He hugged himself.
TK’s head tilted in obvious confusion. “Why would he be mad?”
“Because I made him spend money to fly out to Texas on a work day? That’s a lot to be mad about.”
TK was still staring at him. “Reggie, your dad loves you.”
Reggie shrugged, anxiety twisting in his stomach. “He hasn’t known me that long. Only since September.”
“You don’t need to know people that long to fall in love with them,” TK said.
Reggie couldn’t actually argue that. He’d only know Flynn since September as well, but he knew he’d love her forever. Unless she was done with his shit. He rubbed his face.
“Reggie, parents who love their kids would do anything for them. Surely you know that?”
“Sure,” Reggie said. But he didn’t know that. Not really. He’d seen the way Ray was with Julie and Carlos, and now Bridget with Flynn, but he didn’t know if that related to him. Ray was a really kind man, but even kind people had their limits. It was hard not to believe this would be it.
TK sighed. “Reggie, let me tell you a story. Several months ago, I nearly died of a drug overdose. And you know who it was who found me? My dad. He found me, called the paramedics and did fucking chest compressions on me until I’d been given enough meds to survive. And then he dragged me to Texas to live with him to make sure I’d keep surviving. And you know what? He wasn’t mad.”
Reggie stared at TK, stunned. “Holy shit.”
“Yup,” TK said. “It’s not exactly something I’m proud of, but it happened, so…” he shrugged.
“I’m glad you made it,” Reggie said, meaning it. He didn’t know TK well, but he liked him. He was glad he was still in the world.
“Me too,” TK smiled. “And I have a feeling your dad would feel exactly the same way about you. Glad you made it, even if he has to take time off work to come get you.”
TK’s comment made Reggie think about the other times he’d been in hospital: after Julie had killed Caleb and after he’d developed Gifted Psychosis. Each time Ray had come to get him, he’d been loving and supportive and not even remotely angry. Maybe this time would be the same?
It made him want to ask TK if he thought Flynn could ever forgive him for betraying her like that. "TK? Do you—"
“Reggie!” Flynn cried as she burst into the room.
Flynn threw herself into Reggie’s arms, holding him as tightly as she could. She was shaking.
“Flynn,” Reggie said reverently against her temple. “I’m so sorry.” His voice was raspy from his infection.
“You were gone!” Flynn cried. “You left and I didn’t know where you were!”
She felt him freeze under her hands. He stepped back. “Hey, Ray, thanks for coming for me,” he said, carefully not looking at Flynn.
Ray went to him and pulled him into an embrace. “I’m so happy to see you, mijo. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“I’m TK.” The other man waved at Flynn. “The guy you spoke with on the phone?”
Flynn smiled tightly at TK. Her heart was pounding at Reggie's sudden withdrawal from her, and she wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries.
“Thank you for taking care of him,” Ray said, coming to her rescue. She saw Reggie had picked up the bag they’d brought for him and disappeared into the bathroom, probably to get cleaned up before they went home.
“My pleasure,” TK said with a broad smile. “He’s a really great kid. I was happy to help.”
He and Ray continued with the small talk, while Flynn’s temper got shorter and shorter. What the fuck was up with her boyfriend? He’d vanished to Texas and ended up in the hospital! How dare he avoid her now?
She marched over to the bathroom and tried the handle. It was locked. She started hammering on the door with her fist. “Reggie!” she called, “Reggie! You let me in there right now!”
TK and Ray looked at each other. “Maybe we should…” Ray gestured at the doorway.
“Oh, absolutely,” TK said, and they both left through the glass doors, stopping just long enough to pull the curtain shut behind them.
“Reggie!” she hollered, “don’t’ you dare lock me out! Reggie—!”
The door opened.
He was naked except for a towel wrapped around his waist. “Flynn? What—” She pushed past him into the room and he shut the door behind her.
“What the hell was that?” She glared at him, hands on her hips.
“What the hell was what?” he said, eyes wide. As if he didn’t know.
She narrowed her eyes in turn. “You running away to take a shower?”
“I’m really dirty?” he said, like there was a chance in hell she’d buy that. “I ended up lying on a dirt road—”
“Reggie!” she cut him off, “you don’t get to be angry at me and just walk away!” She squared her shoulders. “If you’re mad because I made you sick, say it to my face!”
His skin, already pale from his illness, went even paler. “I’m not mad at you!”
“Oh yeah? Then why did you just leave like that?”
“Because…” he ran his hand through his hair. “Because you’re going to break up with me!”
Her anger was immediately snuffed out, to be replaced by confusion instead. “Why would you think that?”
“I broke my promise. I told you I’d never leave you, but I did. I did! How could you ever trust me again?” His eyes were shining brilliant green and bright with unshed tears, and Flynn’s heart broke just looking at him.
Flynn almost asked what promise? but then she remembered their conversation back in January, after he’d mended their breakup. He’d promised her he’d never leave her. He’d promised it again just that weekend when she’d been crying in his arms, terrified he’d, well, do something exactly like this.
But he’d gotten it wrong.
“You didn’t break your promise,” she said.
“I did!” he insisted. “I promised I’d never leave, but I’m in fucking Texas! How is that keeping my promise?”
“Because you didn’t teleport farther than Texas?” She took his hands in her own, tugging him gently until he was closer. He put his forehead against hers, just like she’d hoped he would.
“But I left you,” he said quietly. “I teleported away when I said I wouldn’t.”
“You said you wouldn’t teleport further than Texas or carry more than five people,” Flynn corrected him gently. “And you didn’t. Promise kept.”
She felt him go still as he took in what she’d said. “But I still went to Texas.”
“By accident. Because you were sick. Reggie, you didn’t do it on purpose, and you didn’t go out of phase. I didn’t lose you. I was scared, but I didn’t lose you. You kept your promise.”
“You don’t want to break up with me?” he asked, voice still quiet.
“No,” she said with total conviction. “Never.”
He moved suddenly, capturing her lips with his own and kissing her with a breathtaking intensity. She sunk into him, her hands going to the back of his neck, holding him as close as possible. She’d been so scared for him, and now tears of relief snuck out the corners of her eyes. She’d cried so much since she’d started dating him, but he was worth every tear.
“I love you,” he said against her mouth. “I love you so much, Flynn. I’ll never leave you. I promise.”
“I love you,” she said back, and leaned into him, letting her head rest against his heart. “And I’m sorry I gave you Strep throat.”
“I’m not mad about that. Please don’t think I am. But I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was sick.” She heard his throat click as he swallowed. “I had a nightmare. About the Orpheum. Maybe because I had a fever, but I dreamt about teleporting away from the fire.”
“Oh, Reggie.” Her heart just ached for him and everything he’d had to endure. “I wish you’d told me you were sick. I would’ve taken care of you.”
“And I probably wouldn’t’ve ended up in Texas,” he agreed. His voice dropped. “It’s just… hard, you know?”
She didn’t know, not really. But then again, she’d grown up being able to trust the adults in her life. “I get it,” she said after a moment. “Your parents didn’t make it easy.”
“But you’d take care of me? If I were sick?” He said, and her heart broke a little more hearing the note of uncertainty in his voice. That he still wasn’t totally sure she would care that much.
She moved so he could see her face, and infused her voice with every ounce of sincerity she could. “I promise. I love you, Reggie, and I’ll take care of you. In sickness and in health. I promise.”
“That sounds like a wedding vow,” he said softly.
“Now you’re getting it.” she grinned.
He laughed, a sound of pure happiness, and kissed her again.
Flynn left to give him privacy and Reggie took a shower.
He got dressed into the clothes Ray had brought for him, being careful to slip the necklace Flynn had given him over his head first. He was so glad they’d remembered it; he felt naked if it wasn't on.
Ray, TK and Flynn were waiting for him in the room when he emerged.
“You clean up nice,” TK said with a smirk.
Reggie looked down at the sweatpants and hoodie he was wearing. Ray had grabbed one of Willie’s shirts this time, and it was a faded blue with the name of some surfing shop he’d never heard of. “You’re easy to please.”
That made TK laugh. He held out his hand. “Nice meeting you, Reggie. I hope I see you again—but under better circumstances, yeah?”
Reggie shook his hand. “I’d like that, too. And thank you. For taking care of me.” He meant more than TK just standing guard while he slept, keeping him from teleporting.
TK seemed to understand. “Anytime you want someone to hold your wrist all night, you know who to ask.” He winked.
“We should probably be heading out.” Ray shook TK’s hand as well. “You have my phone number,” he said. “You need anything at all, just ask. We owe you…” he paused and cleared his throat. The look he gave Reggie was so full of affection Reggie almost blushed. “Well, we owe you a lot.”
“All in a day’s work.” TK gestured at Ray, who was holding a brown bag Reggie hadn’t seen before. “Paul dropped that off for you when he brought my duty bag. Consider it an apology for destroying your other clothes. And happy birthday! Stay safe.”
“Thank you!” Reggie grinned. Amazingly enough, he’d forgotten today was when he officially turned eighteen. Ray gently steered him towards the door with his arm around his shoulders. “Bye,” he called back to TK. He wondered if he’d ever see the firefighter again.
Flynn took the day bag they’d brought from him and slung it over her shoulder, glaring at him when he tried to protest. “When you’re famous you should send him concert tickets,” she said sagely. “That’d be a good way to pay him back for saving your life.”
“Good idea.” Reggie took her hand, relishing the connection. Everything about her fit him so perfectly. It was like they were made to be together.
They stopped at the nurse’s station and Ray picked up Reggie’s discharge instructions, including a bottle of antibiotics he’d have to take for the next several days. There was a note in bright red marker stating “patient is not to teleport until antibiotics are completely finished” on the paper. It made Reggie’s cheeks burn.
They continued down the hallway to the elevator. Ray’s arm was still draped over Reggie’s shoulders, a comfortable and comforting weight. Reggie bit his lip. TK had been right about Flynn not wanting to break up with him. He wondered if he was right about this, too? “You’re not mad at me, are you?” he asked Ray. He sounded casual as he said it, his voice barely raspy from his illness. But inside, his heart was pounding.
Ray looked at him, expression one of utter confusion. “Mad at you? About what?”
“That you had to fly to Texas to get me? “I mean, it was probably pretty expensive, and you wouldn’t have had to do it if I hadn’t been so boneheaded to teleport—”
“Reggie, no,” Ray said sharply. He stopped walking, put the bag down and gripped Reggie’s shoulders. “Let me explain something to you, and I want you to listen really well, so I don’t have to explain this again. Understand?”
Reggie nodded dumbly. He’d seen Ray angry before, but never quite like this. It was like a quiet, focussed rage that should’ve been frightening, but wasn’t.
“You are worth it. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Reggie nodded again. “Good. But I’m going to say it again. You are worth my time, my effort, my affection, my care and my money. All of it. Every last bit of it. Because I’ve made a promise to care for you, and I want to care for you. Do you understand? Reggie nodded again. “Good,” Ray repeated. “Now, tell me what I just said.”
“That I’m worth your time?”
Ray nodded. “And what else?”
Reggie swallowed. There’d been a lot of information and his mind had kind of gone blank when Ray had said he was worth it? He looked helplessly at Flynn.
“He said you’re worth his time, effort, affection, money. Basically, everything a kid needs, he wants to give it to you,” Flynn said.
“I’m worth your effort and affection?” Reggie said. He heard the words, but it was like his brain couldn’t hold on to them. He didn’t think he’d ever had an adult say anything like that to him. It was overwhelming.
“Good enough.” Ray ruffled his hair. “You’re worth it to me,” he said yet again. “So, no. I’m not mad. I’m grateful I get to help you. And I will always help you. Always.”
“Oh,” Reggie said. He was still feeling kind of stunned from Ray’s outpouring of words.
Flynn hit the elevator button. “Are we going to grab lunch before we hit the airport? I’ve never had authentic Tex-Mex.”
“Find us a restaurant and an Uber.” Ray grinned at her. “We don’t have to leave right away.” He picked up the bag, and then pulled Reggie against him, arm over his shoulders again. Just like Reggie always thought a dad might.
I have a dad. He smiled at the thought. Ray cared about him and Flynn loved him. This was a pretty good birthday, after all.
There was pizza and cake waiting for him when he got back home.
“Hey, guys!” Reggie said happily once he was in the house. The boys and Julie had strung a “Happy Birthday/Welcome Home!” banner between the shelves above the dining room table. They’d even set it with the nice dishes.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Carlos shrieked and threw himself into Reggie’s arms. That seemed to be the cue for the rest of them to mob him in a giant hug.
“How are you feeling?” Julie asked once he’d been released. “Is your throat still bad?”
“Yeah,” Reggie said honestly, “but it’s way better than it was. I can eat real food now.”
“He’s also really tired,” Flynn said. “He slept for the whole flight home.”
Ray pulled out a chair and had Reggie sit. “So he’s going to eat and then go to bed,” Ray said to everyone. “He’s still not well.”
“Got it,” Luke said with a nod of his head. Then he frowned. “Wait, does that mean no Star Wars marathon?”
“Not tonight,” Reggie said. He’d been in Texas less than a day, but it was like the time difference had caught up with him already. He was exhausted.
“We can have it anyway. No reason we can’t celebrate his birthday without him,” Alex said. Flynn punched him in the shoulder. “Ow!”
Luke sat down beside him and served him a slice of pizza. “So, how was Texas?”
“He met a really cute firefighter,” Flynn said as she sat in the chair on Reggie’s other side. “What? He was!” she said, when the boys all glared at her.
“Oooh, hot firefighter!” Julie said as she slid into the seat beside Luke. “Spill the tea!”
“He has a boyfriend,” Reggie informed her. “They’re madly in love.”
“So does Flynn,” Julie said. “Doesn’t mean she can’t look.”
“I don’t want you looking at hot firefighters,” Luke muttered.
Carlos, Alex and Willie sat down and Carlos immediately reached across the table for the pizza box. Julie slapped his hands. “Manners!”
“Dad! Julie hit me!” Carlos pouted, like everyone hadn’t just seen it.
Ray sighed. “Julie, serve your brother a slice of pizza, please. I’d like to get through this meal with minimal bloodshed, ¿Bueno?”
“Oh!” Flynn said excitedly, “we got stuff for you guys!” She jumped up and ran back to the doorway.
“You got stuff for us?” Julie asked, a delighted smile on her face. “But it’s Reggie’s birthday!”
Flynn came back with a pile of cloth in her hands. “For you,” she gave one to Alex. “And for you,” she handed one to Julie. “And for you, for you, and for you!” She gave the last three to Carlos, Willie and Luke. “We got them at the airport.”
Alex spread his out. It was a tie-dyed hoodie in Pride colours with “Austin, Keep it Weird” emblazoned across the front. “Cool!” he exclaimed. “How’d you guys know I needed more hoodies?”
“Because the one I borrowed kind of got cut apart in Texas?” Reggie winced.
“And I’m not giving the one I borrowed back,” Flynn said.
“Neither am I.” Julie was holding up a baby-blue crop top with the same slogan. “This is so cool!”
“Wait, how many hoodies am I missing?” Alex asked. No one answered him.
Luke had a black sleeveless T-shirt that said, “Austin City Limits Music Festival” in 70s-style lettering. He immediately pulled off the shirt he was wearing and put it on. “This is great! Do I look hot?” he asked Julie.
“Definitely almost as hot as a Texan firefighter,” Julie said. Luke scowled at her, making everyone else laugh.
“Awesome!” Carlos shouted. He had a T-shirt celebrating the University of Texas Longhorns baseball team. He was extremely excited and pulled off his T-shirt to put it on, just like Luke had done.
Willie got a long sleeve T-shirt similar to Alex’s. He grinned broadly. “Thanks, guys!”
“Married couples should match,” Flynn said to him. “Makes you easier to find.”
“Speaking of married couples.” Alex turned to look at her and Reggie. “I don’t see you guys with matching T-shirts?”
Reggie grinned at Flynn. “We got something better.” Flynn grinned back and went to the door again, this time returning with the bag Ray had been given. Inside were two thick, navy blue hoodies emblazoned with the emblem of the Austin fire department. One for each of them.
“Damn!” Willie took one out of Flynn’s hands. “I am so stealing this!”
“Hand’s off.” Flynn took it back. “You want one? You need to teleport to Texas.”
“Maybe I just need to become a firefighter,” Willie mused. “I’m kidding!” he said immediately at Alex’s horrified expression.
“You can become a firefighter if you want,” Ray said to Willie. “Don’t let your boyfriend stop you.”
“You’d have to cut your hair,” Julie warned him.
“Never mind,” Willie said. “Sound engineer is way better.”
Alex gave a dramatic sigh of relief, making everyone laugh again.
Ray collected the shirts and put them on the couch, and they all turned back to their pizza. They laughed and joked with each other until after they’d had cake, and Reggie opened his presents. There wasn’t one from Flynn, but he didn’t worry about it. She’d already given him so much.
Flynn saw his energy flagging. “Guys, I’m taking the birthday boy to bed.”
“Get a room!” Luke snickered, making Julie smack him and Reggie give him the finger.
Flynn walked him back to the studio. “Good birthday?” she asked, head against his shoulder.
“Good birthday,” he agreed. He kissed the top of her head.
They reached the studio and Flynn gently pushed him towards the bathroom. “Go brush your teeth. I’ll get the bed ready.”
Reggie did, too tired to protest. He brushed his teeth and stripped down to his underwear, glad his temperature was back to normal and he was no longer freezing cold. Carefully, he took off his necklace and put it in it’s place on the shelf where he could easily find it. He went back into the studio. He found a clean T-shirt of Luke’s in their laundry basket and threw it on
Flynn was sitting on the newly-made sofa bed. Her bottom lip was between her teeth and she looked uncharacteristically nervous. He sat beside her. “Flynn?”
“Here.” She thrust a small box into his hand.
Reggie looked at it. It looked like a ring box. His heart kicked up a notch. “What’s this?”
“Your birthday present,” she said. “Open it.”
He opened the box. Inside was a wide, silver ring with intricate bands going all the way around it. When he touched them, they spun. He looked up at Flynn, delighted.
“It’s a spinner ring,” she explained. “People use them to help them feel calmer when they’re bored or stressed. I thought you might like it?”
“I love it,” Reggie said honestly. He put it on the middle finger of his left hand. It fit perfectly. He spun the bands around and looked at her, brimming with joy.
“It looks good on you,” Flynn said. She bit her lip again. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” Reggie repeated. “I’m never going to take it off.”
“It’s sterling silver, so you don’t have to,” she said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get something nicer.”
“That’ll be for later. When we get married,” Reggie said. He spun the ring again, amazed at how soothing it was.
“When we get married? I thought we were already married,” Flynn joked. Her mouth curled up in a smile. He had to kiss it.
“Yeah,” Reggie said, holding her cheek in his hand. “We are.”
END