Page 76 of The Callahan Effect

Jack quietly broke the stalemate.

He crossed the room first, stopping in front of Corey before extending his hand.

"It's good to finally meet you properly," Corey said sincerely. "I wish it was under better circumstances."

Jack smiled faintly before typing a reply.

Me too. Thank you for coming.

Corey read the message before giving Jack’s hand another brief squeeze.

"I owed him that much and more."

Mom reached Corey first, wrapping him in a warm hug before he had the chance to say anything.

"I'm so glad you're here."

Corey hugged her just as tightly.

"As soon as Jack called, I booked the first flight I could find."

Dad stepped forward next, pulling Corey into a quick embrace before resting a hand on his shoulder.

Corey glanced across at me, emotion flickering across his face.

"There wasn't anywhere else I was going to be."

Jack glanced between Corey and me and caught Mom and Dad’s attention with a message on his phone.

Why don't we grab a coffee? I think these two need a little time on their own.

Mom immediately agreed.

"I think that's an excellent idea."

Dad glanced from me to Corey.

"We'll only be downstairs if either of you needs us," Dad assured us.

Jack met my eyes for a moment, offering the smallest reassuring smile before slipping his phone into his pocket. He brushed his fingertips lightly across my hand as he stood.

A silent promise.

I'm not going far.

A few moments later the three of them disappeared into the corridor, leaving Corey and me alone for the first time since everything had fallen apart.

Corey dropped his backpack onto the floor before sinking into the chair next to the bed with a long sigh.

"I practiced this conversation for the whole flight."

"How'd it go?"

"It was brilliant."

"Yeah?"

"No." He rubbed both hands across his face. "It fell apart the second I walked through the door."