Page 129 of The One for Me
“We don’t even know when he left! God! He could be lost!” My heart pounds, and the terror builds higher. This was such a mistake. I never should’ve let Austin go to the room without talking to him. He’s in pain, and I let him down.
“We’ll find him.”
I’m glad he’s so sure. I look over, grab my cell phone, and dial Austin’s number, only to hear the ringtone blaring from the couch.
Of course, he didn’t take his phone. If he had, I could at least have tracked it or done something.
“Sean . . .” I don’t know what I’m asking for, but I’m so afraid, and he’s the only person who might make this better.
He moves to me, hands on my shoulders. “Okay, think about this, we’ve been in Tampa a few days. There were two places he loved, the baseball field and the beach. I say we check the field first.”
I look out the living room window where the ballfield is visible.
It makes the most sense, and if he’s on foot, it’s the best option.
“Let’s go,” I say and start to head to the elevator.
“One of us should stay here in case he comes back.”
I can’t do that. “There’s no way that I can sit here and wait. I can’t!”
He takes my face in his hands, holding us so we’re eye to eye. “I’ll find him. If he comes back, call me. I swear to you, Devney. If he’s out there, I will bring him back.”
My throat goes tight as the fear gets stronger. “He’s just a little boy . . .”
“I know, I’ll bring him back. Stay here and call me if anything happens, okay?”
I nod. Sean brings his lips to mine. “I love you.”
That is something that will never change, no matter what choices I have to make. “I love you.”
He grabs his keys, phone, and wallet and then heads out the door. I make my way to the couch and sink down, gripping the blanket and crying harder than I ever have before.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, my phone rings. I sit up, head pounding as I wipe the tears from my face. “Hello?”
“He’s not here. I’m going to the beach now,” Sean says quickly and slightly out of breath. “I let the staff that’s here know to look out for him, and if they see him, they’ll call one of us. I think you need to call the police.”
My hope dissipates like early morning fog as I stare out the window. He’s lost. He’s alone and probably scared without any idea of where to go. I don’t even know the address to this place, so I doubt Austin does.
God, please protect my baby.
“Please find him,” I beg.
“I’m trying. I’ll check the beach and keep looking. I’m on foot because I don’t know how else he would’ve traveled. I’ll call you soon. Call the police, we need all the help we can get looking.”
I hang up with him and immediately dial the police department, and they explain that they’re going to send a car over.
My body trembles, and I start to pace. I have no idea what to do or think. Everything feels so helpless. I debate calling my mother but decide against it. I don’t want to worry her or give her anything else to hate me for or, heaven forbid, give her a reason to try to take Austin away from me. Until I know something, I’m going to avoid that.
Instead, I call the voice of reason.
“Devney?” Syd’s voice sounds like I woke her.
“Syd . . .”
“Is everything okay?”
