AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I almost cracked when I explained what was going on, because he was kind and concerned the entire time.
“Come down to the shop,” he said. “Bring Paige. We’ll get everyone together and search.”
I appreciated the idea but, “I don’t know that walking the streets calling his name is the most efficient use of our time.”
“Good point. I’ll talk to everyone I know, ask if they’ve seen him or his car, and then Adam and I are coming over.”
“Thank you.” When I hung up, I pressed my back to the wall and sank to the floor.
“Mom?”
I looked up to find Paige studying me with concern. “Hey. Did you girls eat?”
Paige shook her head. “Jamie went home.”
And I didn’t hear it? I was a shitty mom.
“Is Bryan all right?” Paige asked.
Lord, I hoped so. “I’m sure he is.”
“You’re lying. Do you want me to call hospitals?”
My insides twisted in on themselves at the thought, but it needed to be done. “No. I’ll do that. Help me think of anyone at school who might have any idea where he is.”
“Okay.” Paige wandered a few feet away, then paused. “He’s fine. I’d know if he wasn’t fine. Wouldn’t I?”
I nodded. “I’m sure you would.”
Paige didn’t look any more convinced than me as she and I started making more calls.
When Adam and Deacon showed up, neither Paige nor I had any more answers. It should be a relief since it meant Bryan wasn’t in a nearby hospital, but not knowing was eating me alive.
“Any luck?” Adam asked.
I shook my head.
“I thought you said he took the car,” Deacon said.
Why would he say that? My brain stalled and I looked at Paige.
She shrugged. “He did.”
“It’s parked behind the barn. We saw the tail end of it when we pulled in.” Deacon nodded in that direction.
No. I hadn’t missed that. There was no way. But why would Deacon lie?
Paige’s worried expression had morphed, and she was looking between me, Adam, and the door. “I’ll go look in the barn,” she said.
I couldn’t imagine why Bryan would be in there. Had he parked the car out of sight and decided to camp in the woods behind the house, like when they were little? That didn’t make sense, but it made more sense than him being in the barn. “The barn is off limits.”
“I’ll go with her, to make sure it’s safe,” Adam said.
Deacon frowned. “You didn’t check everywhere on the property?”
I didnotneed his judgment right now. “Because that place is supposed to be boarded up. No one goes in there.”
“I’m sure he didn’t.” Paige was lying. “But I’ll just go make sure. Adam will help.”
