AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Willow has been my lifesaver and my new best friend since I lost mine to the cheating-on-Hudson scandal. We’ve been each other’s rock during hard times.
My dad and Amos are on their way home. My mom has been calling for updates every five minutes, and I know she’ll be pressing my dad for as many details as she can get.
I’m unsure of where I’ll go and what I’ll do when I land.
Time for me to figure that out.
Guilt sweeps through me when I go to call Kyle next. I should’ve called him on my way to the airport, but all I cared about then was getting here. My phone nearly falls from my hand when it rings with an incoming call.
Perfect timing.
“Hey,” I answer. “I was about to call you.”
“The hell is going on, Lauren?” Kyle shouts. “Gage texted me, asking for time off for an out-of-town emergency and isn’t answering his phone. Did something happen between you two? Did you break up with him again?”
“I wish it were that simple,” I answer, grabbing my bag and walking down the hallway, away from eavesdropping ears.
“I told you not to make him flee,” he grits out. “I lost my best friend once, and I won’t let it happen again.”
“It’s not my fault.” I clear my throat. “Did Gage ever tell you about his life in Chicago?”
“The man has been a sealed-up coffin about that shit.” His tone lowers. “What do you know?”
I sigh. “It’s not my place, but find me any information you can about where he might stay in Chicago. Maybe a friend he still keeps in touch with?”
“Answer me on why he left,” he demands.
The severity of the question breaks me down. “Gage had a son who went missing and was assumed to be dead. They found his body today.”
“Holy fuck. Give me a few minutes, okay?”
He hangs up, and I walk around the airport, looking for Gage and ignoring the silent and curious looks from people. I’m wearing my bridesmaid dress, sporting an updo, and my cheeks are stained with mascara.
I want to be there for Gage, wrap my arms around him, and absorb slivers of his pain. My job and life are about healing and helping, and it’s killing me that the person I most want to heal doesn’t want it.
I’ll be Gage’s backbone while he’s crumbling.
I redial his number.
No answer.
I’m grateful when Kyle calls me back and gives me what information he has.
I board the plane, knowing I’ll be facing a broken man … if I find him.
Thirty-Three
Gage
It isno surprise that Missy’s parents are waiting for me when I land.
The private jet wasn’t an act of sincerity. It was bribery.
I accepted the favor to get to my son faster.
Her parents didn’t want Missy to keep Andy. He was dark-skinned, didn’t fit into the perfection of their Christmas photos, but they took to him when they realized Missy wasn’t breaking. They then made it their mission to scream to the world that their daughter had been such a humanitarian to take an orphaned baby into her home. They didn’t make it as known after they found out she was a murderer.
I ignore her parents and stroll straight to Luke, who’s waiting for me on the opposite end of the section. I see the dirty looks he’s throwing her parents. He despises them as much as I do.
