Page 63 of Unconditional

But if I didn’t…if I worked with Milo instead, then he could go on living his pretty little life in Oregon.I would be forced into hiding, lose my business, and have to uproot Kenna’s entire family.I might not ever see Misely again.I might not ever see her again if I chose the former either.

As if on cue with my thoughts, the bedroom door down the hall flew open, slamming against the wall behind it.A red eyed, blonde haired tornado dashed into the room, her gaze fixed onto Birdie.Something was wrong.

“I need you to take me to the airport right now.Benji is missing.”

My stomach bottomed out.Oh no.I barely registered as pandemonium broke out around me, Birdie flying out of her seat and rushing to help Misely pack a carry-on bag.Promising to have the rest of her stuff shipped out to her somehow.I didn’t see when the women were zipping up their coats and tying their shoes.My mind was stuck on the fact that the very thing Misely had been worried would happen if she went with me to gather my brother, happened.

It wasn’t until the door opened and they were stepping out that I blinked, standing rapidly from where I sat.“Misely, wait.”

She turned, silhouetted in the late afternoon sun that shone through the doorway.For a small moment, hope seemed to hold its breath in her eyes.I wanted to tell her I’d take her to the airport.That I’d fly out with her so she wouldn’t be alone.That I—No.All the things I should have said drowned under the weight of responsibility.She had her own things to worry about, and I had mine.

“What about the baby?”I wanted to punch myself in the face as the hope died on hers.Replaced by a sheet of unfeeling stone.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll send you a bill.”In the next breath, the door was shut and she was gone.

forty-five

Misely

EverythingaboutleavingTalonbehind in that kitchen felt wrong.Where I should have been elated to finally be rid of the man and on my way home, it was overshadowed by the fact that I was undeniably infatuated with him.And then there was leaving behind Birdie when all I really wanted was to curl up in her arms and cry.

There wasn’t any time for that though because I hadn’t lied.Benji really was missing.Barbara had called while I was wrapping up my conversation with James, who had also taken me completely by surprise.Apparently, Benji’s foster parents had stepped into his room that morning when he didn’t come down to breakfast to find his bed unmade and empty.The police were already out looking for him, but I’d seen this story play out too many times to trust that they’d follow through.And if they did find him, Ihadto be there.

Birdie squeezed me tightly as we approached the line for my terminal, grateful to whatever higher power was watching out for me when there was one last seat available for a flight out to Chicago.

“I’m so sad you’re going.”Bird’s voice shook.“But I know you gotta do what you gotta do.”

“I’ll come visit again.Now that I know where to find you.”Our chuckles were watery, muffled between us as we squeezed the life out of one another.Sniffling, Birdie pulled back, keeping hold of my hands.

“I’ll hold you to that.What do you want me to tell Talon about…well you know.”Her gaze dropped to my stomach.

My heart pinched in my chest, fracturing a little bit more.“Tell him the truth.Or don’t.It doesn’t matter either way, he’s drawn his line in the sand.Whatever the hell we were doing, it’s over.”

“Misely—”

My flight was announced over the loudspeaker, both of our heads jerking at the sound.I sighed, tightening my fingers around Birdie’s as I took her in one more time.“If I learned anything from the catastrophe that was my last relationship, it was that I can’t stare at a closed door and wishful-think it into being a window.That door is closed.I have to go, but I’ll call you as soon as I land.”

“You better.”We embraced again, our bodies quivering in our sad attempt to keep from crying.“Fuck, I love you so much, Mize.”

“I love you too.”I lost the battle with the tears first, the drops streaming down my cheeks freely.We were spared only an extra minute, the final boarding announcement calling out over the airport’s speakers.With a final squeeze, I pulled away and jogged down the lane toward my flight.

It took three days to find Benji, but when we did it was because I had combed over every shred of notes taken down during our visits until I found the one I was looking for.Apparently, me insisting he was at his great aunt’s was not enough of a reason for the police to actually go look for themselves.And apparently, Barbara had no record of the aunt.

But I did.Because I’d spent hours with this kid andlistenedto him when he spoke.I heard him when he told me that his mother’s aunt, Joan, was the only family he trusted.Unfortunately, she was quite elderly and had a hard time getting around, making her unsuitable to care for Benji long term, according to the court documentation.I was willing to bet money that if he had run away and gone anywhere, it was to her.

When I found the notes and documents from the initial custody case the state had opened, I’d all but run to the police station, immensely grateful when they gave me the green light to follow them to the house.It was a quaint little yellow house in a small neighborhood right outside of the city.I could easily see how it would bring comfort to a kid whose entire life had consisted of living in hotel rooms and a bunch of random Joe’s living room floors.

The officer strode ahead of me, tapping his knuckles against the white paint of the front door.Surprise floored me when a woman just a hair shorter than me and no older than my mother, opened the door.She, on the other hand, did not seem the least bit surprised to see us.Leaning into the doorjamb, she crossed her arms over her chest.

“You must be here for my nephew.”

“Good morning, ma’am.Are you Joan Wright?”the officer asked, pulling his notepad from his shirt pocket and flipping it open.

The woman nodded, perfectly groomed brown curls bouncing on her shoulders as she looked up at him with accusing gray eyes.“That would be me.What can I help you with?”

“Well, as you guessed we’re here looking for a Benjamin Wright.He’s been reported as a runaway and we have reason to believe he’s here.”

Joan snorted, a sneer pulling at her lips.“Runaway?And what exactly did he run away from?His deadbeat mama?Or another foster family that laid their hands on him?”

---