Conrad doesn’t move. “You need to come with me.”
The blood drains from my face, and I feel Lewis beside me. His hand brushes my arm, his voice the steady rock I need to keep me from tipping over. “What’s wrong?”
I can’t move. My feet are made of stone.
The men exchange glances, and I don’t care who this stranger is. I just want to know what’s going on.
“We found a car in the woods,” Conrad tells me, his eyes drilling into mine, setting the truth in a safe place in my mind. “It might be Taylor.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CORINNE WILDE - PRESENT DAY
Somehow we end up in Conrad’s car. I don’t recall the walk to the car or the moment he started it up. I don’t recall if they’ve said anything since we left. All I know is that the moment my mind finds its footing again, I’m in the back seat, my hands clasped together in my lap. Lewis’s arms are around me as I stare out the windshield, raindrops pelting the glass like pennies.
I don’t know how far we’re going or how bad of shape the car is in. How bad the wreck might have been.
Why didn’t they check the car instead of coming to get us? What if she’s hurt? What if she needs us? What if they could’ve helped her?
“She’s going to be okay.” Lewis’s voice is close to my ear, his message just for me as he rubs small circles along my spine.
“Was she in the car?” I ask, speaking up. “Was she hurt?”
The other man—the stranger I still don’t know—is the one who answers. “There was no one in the car when we stopped. It was empty, but it didn’t look like it had crashed. More like someone had pulled over and gotten out.”
This phrase sends my brain into new spirals.How? Why? She wouldn’t have just stopped.
My phone vibrates, drawing me from my thoughts, and Lewis leans away from me, removing his hand from my back and giving me space to pull it out.
My heart skips as I read the name.
“Mom?” I put the phone to my ear, and Conrad turns down the heat so it’s easier for me to hear her.
“I have Taylor.”
I’m flying and falling and crashing all in a second, my face burning hot. “What?”
“She just showed up at the house. She can stay as long as she wants, but she’s safe.”
“What are you talking about? She’s…there?”
“She says she was tired of the two of you fighting. She’s been saying it. You just don’t listen.”
I can’t answer. Can’t argue. Lewis leans closer, trying to understand what’s happening. “She’s there, though? And you’re…where? Home?”
“I’ve already told you that.”
“Greta said you weren’t home. She was just there.”
“What? Who was here? Greta? We’ve been home all evening.”
“I don’t…” I can’t think. Can’t breathe. It’s as if my reality has been placed into a blender and puréed.
“She’s there?” Lewis asks as I feel the car slowing down. “She’s with your mom?”
I nod, but I’m not sure what the truth is. “Can I talk to her?”
“She’s just gotten here and is in the bathroom, but I can have her call you back. If you want my advice, though, you should give her space. Both of you.”
