Page 115 of Coach Me
Lucie steps to her brother. “Will, I love you, but I need you right now.Milesneeds you right now. You and Callie, you guys go check the dugout and the Blues locker rooms. I already sent extra security to look on the Crimson side in case he got turned around.”
Will gives her a nod, then meets the man's eyes one more time before Callie pulls him away slowly.
Lucie whips right around. “Dad, you go check our seats in the stadium. They’re on the away side reserved seating closest to the dugout. Check anywhere in that section, really. I’m going to start checking suites.”
When Lucie turns to me, I can see the emotional hell she’s in. “Let me go with you.”
She gives me a small nod, but then Kate cuts in. “I’m going wherever you’re going, Dex.”
Lucie exhales. “You two do the suites.”
“Luce—”
“No.” Lucie’s voice comes out just as strong as it did a moment ago. “It’s okay, really. We don’t need three people searching one area, Dex. Pairs are fine for big spaces. You two check there first, and I’ll start at the offices. I already have people searching the stands in general, and someone’s staying here in case he comes back to this spot.”
I know she’s right, but damn it, I hate leaving her alone like this. “Okay, meet us back here in ten minutes if you can’t find him.”
Lucie nods before she goes one way, and Kate and I go the other.
Chapter 39
Lucie
So this is what pure terror feels like. Absolute utter terror.
It’s been maybe ten minutes since Miles went missing, but it feels like an eternity. I’ve sent people in every single direction. I just need someone to find him. My chest physically aches, and I feel like I’m on the verge of throwing up, but I have to keep going.
I think I’ve run every horrible scenario through my head, and with each passing minute, they just get worse and worse. Today’s crowd is thick; what if someone grabbed him in the shuffle? What if he got so turned around that he’s found his way out in the city?
I know this kid knows stadiums, but he’s only five years old, and this isn’t ourstadium. He could have easily gotten overwhelmed by this place with the number of people here. Then, add on the fact that he hasn’t found anyone he knows. I know he has to be terrified.
I’m terrified.
Seeing Dex’s face…Will’s face. They both gutted me. I hate that I’ve put everyone in this situation.
Miles missing? My fault. I should never have let them walk away when we were in such a crowded area.
Dex having to learn his son is missing from someone who isn’t me? My fault. I know he needed to know, but I couldn’t physically take time out of getting this search started to tell him.
Will having to face our dad completely unprepared? Also my fault. My brother’s done everything for our family. The slip of “son” from our dad’s mouth, and I wanted to scream for Will.
The weight of everything threatens to make me crumble into nothing, but the pure adrenaline of finding Miles keeps me going.
I reach the halls on the far side where some of the onsite offices could be. I look up with closed eyes and take a deep breath.Please be here.I swear my next call is going to be the police if this comes up empty.
“Miles!” I call, swinging open doors and repeating his name louder with each room that shows up empty. I make it down three rooms, and my heart is sinking lower and lower.
Another room empty, and I’m dying.
“Lucie?” I hear from the end of the hall before there are footsteps charging toward me.
“Miles!” I fall to my knees as Miles launches himself in my arms. “Thank God, Miles. My heart couldn’t take another second of you being missing.”
“I didn’t know where to go. The crowds were so scary, Lucie.” Miles keeps his grip tight as he cries. “They don’t usually feel so scary. Is this stadium bigger?”
Tears now streaming down my face in relief, I squeeze him tighter. “It does feel that way, doesn’t it?”
I scoop him up, and he doesn’t let go, and I really don’twant him to. Pulling out my phone, I send a text to Dex that I found him and to meet me back at the concession stand. “How about we go find your dad, buddy. I know he’s going to be so happy to see you.”
