Page 221 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

My shoulders tense around my ears, and my fists clench at my sides. My heart hammers against my sternum and my blood vibrates through my veins as I come to terms with this reality.

My mind reels, playing the last few months over like a movie, but I can’t find any clues that would have given me a warning that Sophie’s a mom. I’ve purposely steered clear of single moms. I didn’t want the responsibility. I never wanted to risk falling in love with a woman and her kids when something could happen to them. I never wanted the responsibility that came with loving a single mom.

And I’ve gone and fallen for one, anyway.

I feel completely blindsided.

Fuck!

A throat clears behind me, and I turn, looking down into the angry face of Sophie’s father as he scans the tattoos on my arm with heavy disapproval. His narrowed eyes climb back to my face, and he scowls at me. “You have some explaining to do.”

I’m not sure what explaining I need to do, but I’m not here to cause trouble. “Look, Mr. Chalmers. I’ll tell you whatever you need to know, but we need to find James.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “I’m here to help.”

His posture softens slightly. “Of course. But don’t think we won’t be having a chat when this is all sorted out.”

Another cop car pulls up, and the officer climbs out. Officer Banks takes James’s clothes over to him, and they have a brief discussion.

Sophie leaps down the steps, her swollen eyes flicking from her dad to me and back to him. “Did you check the park?”

“I didn’t want to leave in case James came home,” he grumbles.

“All right. I’m gonna start there.” She turns to me. “Thanks for bringing me home. But I need to get moving.”

If she thinks I’d leave her at a time like this, she doesn’t know me at all. I step closer, forcing her to tilt her head back to look up at me. “I’m coming with you.”

“You don’t ha?—”

I cut her off and my voice turns to steel. “I’m coming with you. Let’s not waste time arguing. Lead the way.”

She spins on her heel without another word to me, calling over her shoulder. “I’ll call you when we find him. Go inside and stay near your phone.”

As we breach the front gate, the cop opens the back door of his cruiser to release a dog. I feel better knowing they’re taking this situation as seriously as they are. The cops let the dog sniff James’s clothing, then its nose immediately drops to the ground, and the German shepherd moves quickly around the front yard.

Sophie sprints down the sidewalk, and I run to keep alongside her. She told the officer he loves the park, but my gut tells me we won’t find him there. We run seven or eight blocks before the park comes into view, and Sophie picks up speed. Panting hard, she lurches through the gate, screaming her son’s name. I separate from her and call his name on the opposite side, but I already know he’s not here. Kids stop what they’re doing and watch as we frantically make our way around the area, checking in tunnels and behind bushes.

A man with a baby strapped to his chest stops me. “What’s going on?”

I point across at Sophie. “We’re looking for her son, James.” I describe him the best I can remember from the description she gave to the police, but before I can finish, the guy’s shaking his head.

“Haven’t seen a kid matching that description, and we’ve been here since school finished.”

I thank him and head over to Sophie. She swipes at the tears flooding her cheeks when she notices my approach. “I just talked to that guy over there.” I point behind me. “He’s been here since school got out. He hasn’t seen James.”

Her chest heaves with exertion, but she nods slowly, her hands rising to her hips. I wish I knew what to say to her, but I’m at a loss. “Okay.” Her shoulders rise and fall as she takes in deep breaths and blows each one out. “There’s a field where kids play soccer on Monday afternoons about five miles from here. I’ll check there.”

I know the field she’s talking about. It’s where we play. “That’s a long way for an eight-year-old to walk. Do you really think he’d be there?”

She shrugs and drops her gaze to the grass between us. “I dunno, but I have to try. He’s desperate to play soccer, and his friend practices there.”

“Fair enough. Let’s check it out.” She surges forward, but I grab her arm to stop her. “How about we go back to your place and get my car? It’ll be easier to go from place to place. Quicker, too.”

She nods. “Okay.”

I guide her to the gate with my hand on her lower back, and we sprint back to her place, update her dad, collect my car, and head to the soccer field.

Every muscle in my body is tense and maintaining a proper breathing pattern is a struggle, but when I glance at Sophie, I dig deep to find strength I wasn’t sure I had. This is bringing back a flood of memories for me.

Memories long buried.

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