Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I wait until I’m out of view and heading toward the elevators before I call Atlas.
“This better be good, Brenner.” His voice is groggy with sleep, which makes my hope sink.
“Is Taylor with you?”
“No…is he supposed to be?”
“What’s wrong?” I hear Troy ask and figure he’s in bed beside Atlas…which is where Taylor and I should be.
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m sure he’s fine. He just went to breakfast and never came back. He left his phone in the room. And he’s not in the restaurant, and our parents haven’t seen him.”
“You probably missed him and he’s back in your room,” Atlas assures me.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m heading there now.”
“I’ll have Troy message Colin to check with him too.” Atlas is trying to help, and I appreciate it, but the fact that he’s asking around also makes me more concerned. Maybe I’m not freaking out for no reason.
“Thanks, man. I’m getting into the elevator and might lose my signal. Hit me back if he’s there.”
I end the call, my hands shaking, my heart beating too fast. Logically, I know I’m jumping the gun here, that I don’t need to be this worried, but I can’t help it. What if something happened to him? What if I lose him like we lost Mom?
I pace the elevator, grateful it’s empty and wishing I had a fidget spinner or something to keep my restless hands busy. As soon as the doors open on our floor, I rush out, jogging down the hallway to our room. The red light flashes when I slide the card over the lock.
“Fuck.” I do it again, and when I see green, I push the door open. “Tay?” But I know I won’t get a response. The room looks just like it did when I left, and I don’t feel him in here, don’t smell that Taylor scent or sense him the way I do.
My phone rings, and I fumble it, dropping the stupid thing to the floor. Atlas’s name shows up on the screen, so I quickly bend to pick it up. “He with them?”
“No. He’s not in the room?”
“Fuck. No. I…”
“Hey. He’s fine, Bren. He probably went for a walk around the lake. He’s good. I promise. We’re on our way, and then we’ll go find him, and he’ll tell you you were being an idiot for worrying.”
I want nothing more than for him to tell me I’m being an idiot for worrying. “I’ll meet you guys out front,” is all I can manage to say.
I scribble a quick note, telling him to keep his ass in the room and call me if he comes back, then hurry downstairs. On the way, I shoot Mila a text to see if she’s seen him, but sometimes she’s terrible about checking her phone.
Blood rushes through my heart, making it feel like it’s going to break a hole in my chest. I push open the doors to go outside, the whole time hoping I don’t see our parents. Nicole is expecting Taylor to message her. It’s their wedding day. The last thing I want is for them to worry. Please don’t let them have a reason to worry.
My gaze snags on Atlas, Troy, Colin, and Ash, and I nearly stumble as I hurry to them. “No one has seen or heard from him yet?” I hear the panic in my voice, not having the strength to hide it.
“No, I haven’t seen him all morning,” Colin says.
“Me neither,” Ash confirms.
I run a hand through my hair, tug on the strands until I feel a burn in my scalp. I’m losing my fucking shit, and I don’t know how to stop it.
“What about Mila? Has she seen him?” Troy asks.
“I texted her, but she hasn’t messaged back.” I tug my phone out and call her, but it goes straight to voice mail. “She might’ve gone for a jog.”
“Then Taylor’s probably with her,” Colin tries to soothe me.
“When the fuck have you ever known Taylor to go for a jog?” I snap, then immediately get buried in guilt. “Shit. I’m sorry. I’m freaking the fuck out.”
“No worries. We get it.” Atlas squeezes my shoulder. “He’s fine, Bren. It’s a big day. I’m sure he just needs some time to himself. Come on. We’ll go find him. You come with me,” he says, and sends Troy a look.
“I’ll go with Colin and Ash,” Troy confirms, and we go separate directions.
There’s the lake, docks, numerous gazebos, and trails all around the property. There are a million places he can be, all of them making a lot more sense than something bad happening to him, but I can’t help remembering my mom just getting a cold, and then going into the hospital and dying.
“You good?” Atlas asks.
“No,” I answer honestly. “I just…need him.” I’ve never needed anyone or anything, not for a long time, and not the way I do with him.