Page 49 of Peaks and Promises

I wanted out of that bathroom as soon as possible, so I threw on my clothes and hurried out.

While Nate and Reese took their turns, I finished combing my wet hair and tied it back in a low ponytail. I stuffed the few things I’d taken out of my bag back in and made sure we weren’t leaving anything behind.

We loaded our things back into the SUV, and Reese returned the room key to the office. The sun was still low on the horizon when we set out again, heading north.

And I couldn’t help but notice that Reese was looking at anything other than me.

Axel

Some old woman with a cane was walking across the entrance to Summer’s apartment complex when I drove up. I hung the left but had to stop and wait for her to shuffle by. Annoyed, I revved my engine. She shot me a glare.

Finally, she got far enough down the sidewalk that I could get past. I drove into the parking lot and stopped outside Summer’s building.

I didn’t see her car, but maybe the guy in the SUV had dropped her off.

Who was he? Buzz and Hammer hadn’t said anything about her having a boyfriend. But they were half useless, so maybe they didn’t know about him.

Looking around, I gritted my teeth. I didn’t give a shit who Summer was fucking. But if the asshole thought he could come between me and the kid, he was sorely mistaken.

I parked and went up the stairs to her apartment. Buzz had figured out where she lived, so at least he’d done something. I was about to knock, but instead I tried the doorknob. Locked.

Irritation flashed through me. We hadn’t seen any sign of her since the guy in the SUV had gotten away in front of the train the day before. The three of us had split up, but no luck. I’d wanted to keep watch over her apartment—she had to return eventually—but they’d said it was a waste of time.

Assholes.

But I didn’t need them.

I knocked a few times and waited. No answer.

“Hey, Summer,” I called, forcing my tone to sound nonchalant. “I just want to talk. No big deal.”

Still nothing.

Where the fuck was she?

I’d driven by the diner, but it was still closed. I thought about going to the school again, but they’d been too suspicious when I’d tried to pick up Nate. If I went back, they’d probably call the cops. Which was bullshit. I was his fucking father. Who did they think they were?

I started down the stairs when a woman across the parking lot caught my eye. She was staring at me with her mouth open.

That didn’t necessarily mean anything, but it did make me wonder if she knew Summer.

I raced the rest of the way down and jogged across the parking lot. “Wait. ma’am, I have a question.”

She hesitated, her eyes darting around nervously as I approached.

“Do you know Summer?” I asked.

She glanced away. “I’m not sure.”

“She lives up there.” I pointed. “Has a son named Nate. It’s really important that I find them.”

“Um…”

“I get it,” I said, my tone soothing. “I look scary. But I promise, I’m not here to hurt anyone. You don’t need to be afraid of me, and neither does she.”

“Are you her ex?”

“No, I’m her brother.”