Somebody Like You: A Small Town Single Mom Romance (The Heartbreak Brothers Book 4) Carrie Elks (free reads .TXT) 📖

“My ex,” Mia said, her voice thin. The final decree had come through yesterday. “No, he wouldn’t know. He doesn’t live anywhere around here. And yes. I think we should call the police.”

Michael’s face was ashen as he stood in the hallway of his high school and listened to his mom’s panicked words.

“I haven’t heard from Dad since Sunday,” he said, swallowing hard. “Do you think he took Josh?” he asked Mia.

“I don’t think so. But the police have to follow every angle.” She glanced at the uniform officer standing with her.

“Is there anywhere else you think he could be?” the officer asked him, keeping his voice low. “Anywhere secret that only you and he know about?”

Michael shook his head. “No. He likes being at home. He’s not an adventurous kid, he’s a homebody. And we haven’t lived here long enough for him to know of somewhere I don’t.” He glanced at Mia, his eyes wild with panic. “Do you think he ran away?”

“I don’t know.” Mia wrung her hands together.

“If he did, it’s all my fault,” Michael whispered. “I was such an asshole to him this morning.” He looked away, his eyes shining beneath the fluorescent lights. “He’ll be okay, won’t he?”

“The sooner we find him, the better,” the officer told him. “So if you think of anything, let us know.”

“Wait!” Michael said. “You’re not going, are you?”

“We need to go to Josh’s school. We want to talk to his friends, and then to the parents who might have seen something.”

“Let me come with you. I can help.” Michael shook his head. “I can’t stay here and do nothing.”

He looked as frantic as she felt. Mia hugged him tightly, and Michael sobbed against her shoulder. “It’s all my fault,” he said again. “I hate myself.”

“It’s not your fault,” she said, stroking his hair. “We’re going to find him.” She ran her tongue along her dry lips. “You could help by going home, in case he shows up. There’s a policewoman there, but you’re a friendly face.” She gave him another hug. “I’d really appreciate that.”

“Home. Yeah, that’s where he’ll want to be.” Michael nodded. “I’ll stay there until he gets back.” His hands clutched at her shirt, his palms clammy through the fabric. “He’ll be okay… right?”

She blew out a long mouthful of air. “He has to be, sweetheart. He has to be.”

Chapter Thirty

Cam had started packing up his apartment. After Brian’s visit, and his gentle kick in the ass, Cam knew there really wasn’t anything left for him to do but start moving on. It still hurt to think about her. Damn, it hurt to breathe. But what could he do? She’d chosen her sons and Cam was on his own.

Maybe the distance between L.A. and Hartson’s Creek would give him a chance to breathe again without it hurting. To look at his bed without imagining Mia laying in it next to him.

Who was he trying to kid? It would still hurt like a bitch. But at least it would hurt in a place where the sun was shining and he had a chance at a career.

He’d almost finished sorting through his clothes – huge piles of unwanted and unworn hoodies and t-shirts were scattered on the bed. Tomorrow, when Brian was back, they’d pack them up and give them to charity. Some of the jerseys with his name on the back could probably be auctioned off.

His phone rang just after three. It took him a few moments to find it, nestled beneath a Bobcats cap on the dresser at the far end of his bedroom.

Expecting it to be Brian, he frowned when he saw it was an unknown number. Usually, he’d hang up – he’d had his fair share of stalkerish phone calls – but something made him accept it.

“Hello?”

There was no reply. Then some heavy breathing. Damn it. “Listen, whoever you are, I’m not in the mood for games. I’m hanging up now.”

A sob. Not in a high, female voice. But low and cracked. “Don’t hang up… I need… we need you.”

“Michael?” Cam ran his tongue along his dry lip. “Is that you?”

“Josh is missing.”

Cam’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“He’s gone. Disappeared. It’s all my fault.”

Cam opened his mouth but no words came out. His chest felt so tight it was hard to breathe. “How long’s he been gone? Are the police involved? How about your mom? Is she holding up?”

“She’s with the police. They’re following a few leads.” Michael sounded frantic. “But nobody’s seen him since this morning when Mom dropped him off. I don’t suppose he called you?”

“No.” Cam looked at his watch. His stomach turned at the thought of Josh being gone so long. “I wish he had.”

“Can you come here? Help us look for him?” Michael begged. “I know I was an asshole to you. I’ve been an asshole to everybody. But Mom needs you. I do, too.”

“Did your mom ask me to come?” Hope made his breath catch in his throat.

“No. But I know she’ll want you here.”

Yeah, Cam wanted to be there, too. Wanted to support the woman he loved, help protect her children. Josh was just a kid, a tiny kid who made everybody smile. He loved playing games and drawing and throwing a ball. Where the hell could he be?

What if somebody took him? Somebody bad…

Cam swallowed the thought down. It tasted bitter on his tongue.

“I’ll catch the first flight out.” He glanced at the mess in his bedroom. Who gave a shit about that? “Hold on, okay? I’ll be there.”

“Thank you.” Michael’s voice was small. “And I’m sorry. For everything I said.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry, too. Now hang in there. Hopefully Josh will be back before I get there.”

Ending the call, he threw some clothes in the bag he’d just unpacked, then grabbed his phone and wallet, shoving them into