Chapter 44

“It’ll be fine,” Luke said, but that didn’t help either.

The radio was on, but Shane switched it off before they even left Little Hinckley, the sound grating on his nerves. Jason glanced at him, but said nothing, and for once Shane was grateful for that. He clung to what Jason had said the night before, and tried to ward off the panic. Jason wasn’t mad at him. Jason wasn’t going to ditch him. And he’d said Dad wasn’t either.

But the journey was still too short, and at the traffic lights on the last junction before their house, Jason said, “Chill.”

“Can’t.”

“Well, try. You look like you’re gonna puke.”

“Might do.”

“Not in my car you don’t,” Jason warned, and Shane cracked a tiny smile.

“Jase?” he mumbled as the car swung up into the drive behind Dad’s.

“Yeah?”

“…Thanks.”