Page 258 of Steamy Ever After

“I’m sorry, Peyton.” Addy stood next to her.

“He was here. I swear it.” Out of the corner of her eye, Peyton saw Addy shake her head as she left.

Instead of calling Alex, Peyton went to her favorites screen and punched the icon for Kade.

The phone rang and rang, but he didn’t pick up, and it didn’t go to voicemail. That was odd. As soon as she set the phone down on the table, it rang. When she grabbed it, she saw it was Alex.

“Hi.”

“Hey, Peyton. I’m not at the hospital yet, but Maddox called. Their mom is going to be okay. It was a mild heart attack.”

“I know. They’re going to keep her at the hospital for observation.”

“That’s right. How did you know? Did you call the hospital?”

“Kade told me. He was just here, but I closed my eyes and he was gone. I need to find him.”

“Wait, wait, wait, honey. What’s going on?”

Peyton disconnected the call and shoved the phone into her pocket. He couldn’t have gotten far. Why did he leave? Where did he go?

She walked from the west village to the east, then searched both sides of the street again, wishing she’d driven instead. A few minutes later, Alex pulled up.

“Get in,” she shouted. When Peyton didn’t stop, Alex got out of the car, walked toward her, and put her arm around Peyton’s shoulders, then guided her into the car. Then she started the engine.

“Where are we going?” Peyton asked.

“Home.”

“Home? I don’t want to go home. I need to find?—”

Alex pulled the car off the side of the road, took Peyton’s hands in hers, and looked into her eyes. “Kade is dead, Peyton. He wasn’t here. He didn’t tell you about his mother.”

“But—”

“No, Peyton. Kade is dead.”

She rolled over and sat up. It was dark in her bedroom. Peyton remembered Alex had driven her home and guided her inside, then brought her in here and sat on the bed. She hadn’t left even when Peyton rolled to her side and faced away from her.

“She’s sleeping now,” she heard Alex say from the other room. “I don’t know. I have no idea what brought it on. She was fine when I saw her earlier. Better than I was, actually.” Alex paused. “I’m going to stay with her.” Another pause. “That would be great. I appreciate it so much.” Pause. “No, I think it would be best if I was with her.”

Alex peeked around the corner. “You’re awake.”

“Who were you talking to?”

“Your dad. He’s going to help out at Stave today. I’m sure Addy and Sam would be fine, but if it gets busy, it’ll be better if he’s there.”

“This is crazy.” Peyton started to get up, but Alex shook her head.

“You and I are going to stay here, Peyton. You need rest, and maybe I do too.”

“Alex, I?—”

“Peyton!” she shouted. “Don’t say it again. Kade was not here. You can’t find him, because he wasn’t here. Stop this.”

What was wrong with her? She knew Kade was dead, but it had seemed so real. It wasn’t the first time she’d thought she saw him, but this was different. He’d talked to her, and he’d told her his mother was going to be okay.

“How would I know about their mom if Kade didn’t tell me?”

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