Out of Order | ONC 2022

14

"Here," Logan leaned closer to Earl before telling him his address. He punched in the address with ease on the touch screen. Even the audio system for the car was fancier than Logan had ever owned. His car now was on the older side, requiring buttons instead of a touch screen. The Bluetooth capabilities weren't the best either, and it would often disconnect on his way home from work. "Thanks again for the ride. It's not that far, but I can pay for gas."

This time, it was Earl who scoffed. "It's no trouble at all. Mr. Dawson is too kind to me and pays me far too handsomely to drive him around. Plus, this beaut has surprisingly good mileage. Don't you worry about it."

Logan retreated and leaned against his seat defeatedly, rolling his eyes at Callum's smirk. "At this rate, I will owe you an entire paycheck."

"Nobody's counting. And I wouldn't withhold a check; that's pretty illegal."

Callum leaned his head against the window, watching the marketing lead from the corner of his eyes. He was sure the only reason Logan was being this talkative thus far was from the drinks he must've had with his coworkers. Now that Callum thought about it, it should have had the opposite effect. Although no longer hunched forward, Logan fiddled with his hands and phone like he was headed to an interview. His phone vibrated a few times along the drive, but he had flipped his phone over to avoid looking at it.

After a couple of red lights, Callum shut his eyes momentarily, accepting that despite Logan's willingness to get a ride home or approach him at the bar, being around him still blatantly made him nervous, sober or not. He tried not to take it too personally; after all, he had just told Logan that he overreacted.

By the time Earl had pulled off the main road and slowed to an apartment complex, Logan had nearly jumped out of his seat, lunging forward as if in a car crash. Callum had almost gripped him back.

"Oh my god." Logan gripped the seat in front of him as he looked out into the parking lot. Callum craned his neck to look past Logan's head. There, pacing the premises on the first floor, was a man with crossed arms. Judging by the bag on his shoulder and the way he checked his phone every few seconds, and Logan's visceral reaction, Callum could deduce who the man was, yet he still voiced, "Is that him?"

Logan gulped before letting out a meek, "yes."

Callum narrowed his eyes, taking in the man's features. It was hard to make out his face, but the dim building light shone on his dark hair, sweatpants, and shirt. Callum would've questioned why nobody had reported him yet if it wasn't this late at night. He spotted an overstuffed backpack against the stairs like Chris had stuffed whatever he could and caught the first flight out to California, which was a pretty reasonable deduction judging by the timeline.

Logan was shaking in the seat next to him, his breaths ragged and heavy as he held on to the front seat like a life preserver. He nearly jumped in his skin when his phone buzzed, and upon looking out the front window, they spotted Chris with his phone in hand. Logan cut the call before unceremoniously dropping his phone on the back seat.

"Wha—what should I do?" Logan mumbled under his breath. Callum wasn't sure if it was directed at him, but he patted Earl's shoulder.

"Kill the engine and lights." Earl followed Callum's directions before adjusting his posture to glance at the two of them.

"What would you like to do, sir?"

Callum glanced at Logan, but Logan was struggling to breathe properly. Callum sighed. "Maybe he'll leave on his own?"

Logan shook his head, finally managing to say, "no. He's not going to leave if he knows I live here."

"Shall I talk to him?"