Tragos had told Kaden, when he'd left for school that morning don't you dare text me unless it's an emergency. He'd sent him a stupid message on Thursday and dread had ripped Tragos' stomach right open, he had to put his phone down and go and sit in Marcie's bathroom for a while to calm down.
So this time, when his phone buzzed, Tragos knew exactly who it would be. He tensed his arms around Marcie, who was lying on him, her back against his front, as they watched TV, but he only let himself hold her tighter for a moment. "I have to go," he said, sliding out from underneath her as soon as he'd said it, because he couldn't risk being late. He was tying his boots on before he knew it, fingers firm and precise under focused concentration.