Page 118 of Don't Call Me Daddy
“I’ve got a delivery,” Jett says from behind me, as if on cue.
I spin to face him, feeling a tiny bit of relief that Guy will at least have one adult to supervise him.
“Thank God. You can set it up over there on the side of the stage. There’s a tent—make sure it’s in the shade, please. I don’t need these guys walking out before the parade.” I cover my face with my hands. “Shit, that’s in two hours …” I look at Guy with a pleading expression. “Can you please help me out? I need someone to distract them in case we aren’t back in time. We can’t have your dad pass hiscrownto Leo withoutLeo.”
Jett appears again after setting up the keg. He wipes his hands together, then crosses his arms over his chest. “What’s going on? Why do you need this needle dick’s help?”
I breathe out a sigh, but thankfully, Luka answers for me. “Leo’s missing. Ivy and I are going to look for him, so she needs Guy to make sure shit doesn’t go off the rails.”
Jett narrows his eyes and takes a step closer, his broad shoulders looking impossibly larger. “What do you mean, he’s missing?”
I blow a stray strand of hair from my face. “He went back to find a checklist I must’ve dropped while we were there a couple of days ago. It was the last thing I had left of my sister’s … and I lost it.” I sigh, feeling so stupid for causing all of this. “Anyway, I think he went back to the old coal mines to find it … but it’s been over four hours since anyone’s seen or heard from him …”
“You’re saying thatLeowent to the mines … alone … of his own accord … to find something you’d lost?”
I nod, trying to figure out where he’s going.
Jett blows out a huff, looking shocked. “Jesus, the man’s more whipped than I thought.”
His words punch me in the chest, nearly knocking me off-balance as I look between his brothers in shock.
Jett shakes his head in disbelief. “Are you really going to tell us you didn’t know? Your relationship might have started out asa lie, but there’s no denying our brother is head over heels in love with you … and judging by the look on your face right now, I’m guessing you just realized you feel the same way.”
I open my mouth to speak, but I’m not sure what to say. Of course, I knew he cared for me, but if he really feels that strongly, if he is really in love with me, why hasn’t he said something? Why hasn’t he asked me to stay here with him instead of moving across the country?
He knew you’d feel guilty, for making you choose, I hear my sister’s words in my head and immediately think back to the little girl this morning, knowing she was right. Which makes me wonder … if I can still hear my sister now, why am I clinging to a list she created in the past?
“So, are we just going to leave Leo to fend for himself out there with all his worst nightmares, or are we going to find him?” Jett finally asks, breaking through the awkward silence.
“Luka and I are heading there now on his?—”
“I’m coming with you,” Jett says before I can even finish my sentence.
I nod in understanding, realizing how scared he must be and the traumatic memories he’s likely remembering.
Guy pulls out his phone and begins typing notes for himself. “So, I just need to transition from the afternoon concert and buy you time until the ceremony? That all?”
I bite my cheek, hating that I have to ask him to do this. “Yeah, there’s a list of step-by-step directions on this clipboard, and I have a detailed itinerary here on the iPad.” I grab the iPad and swipe over to my Excel sheet. “It’s color-coded, but if you swipe, you can see all the events happening, broken down by half-hour chunks. Click on the event, and there’s a primary contact in charge with their contact information if you can’t get them on the walkie-talkie.” I grab the walkie-talkie and mybackpack full of supplies—the one Leo packed ahead of time that’s already saved my ass multiple times today.
“Wow, this is really thorough.” Guy scrolls through the document and looks up at me, wearing a surprised look on his face. “You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”
I shrug. “I didn’t have your brother going missing anywhere on that list, so I guess not everything …”
He places a hand on my arm. “Don’t worry, Ivy; he’ll be all right. You’ve given him something to fight for.”
I force a smile. “Yeah … I hope you’re right.”
“I’m going to get a head start; I’ll meet you two there. And, Luka, drive safe. I know we’re worried, but I don’t need you crashing and giving us two reasons to panic.”
Luka holds a hand over his heart. “Aw, Jett, you do love me. Don’t worry; I’m not an amateur. It’s like you have no faith in me.”
“Or we’ve seen you wreck too many times to count,” Guy says, but Jett’s already walking away.
“Cars are different than bikes. And I barely nudged that guy. It’s not my fault he parked in my blind spot.”
I step in between them. “Enough, you two. Guy, please call me if you have any questions and … improvise if you have to. Just don’t let anyone see you panicking. No running. Keep things easy and light.”
He makes an okay gesture with his fingers. “Easy and light. Got it.”
