Page 87 of I'm Yours

“Looking for your sister.”

“Who’s this?”

“Justin. We owned the store together. He’s here visiting.”

He nods and pockets his keys, moving into the garage and glancing down at my feet where I’m still standing next to Sadie’s broken phone. He looks up at me and stills. “What do you mean, you’re looking for my sister?”

“Haven’t heard from her in a while. You?”

Samuel shakes his head. “Not for a couple days.”

“Call your mom. See if she’s heard anything.”

He pulls out his phone, staring at Sadie’s. “Mom? Yeah. Hey, have you seen Sadie today?”

I wish he was talking on speaker so I could hear. I only have his side of the conversation to go by and it’s annoying as fuck.

“Yesterday? Okay, yeah, I haven’t either. No… no, don’t worry, Mom, I’ll call Kandace. You don’t…” He blows out a breath and wrinkles his nose, not allowing his eyes to meet mine. “What? Why would he come over?” There’s another pause before, “Uh okay? Yeah. Yeah. I’ll wait here. Love you, too.”

“What’d she say?”

“Sadie went to Mom’s yesterday afternoon. She hasn’t seen or heard from her since.”

“What else?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “I guess Mom and Henry Anderson are a thing now. He’s on his way over.”

“Who’s Henry Anderson?” Justin asks.

“Local douchebag,” I tell him then wince and apologize to Samuel. I feel like I’m going to throw up.

“No offense taken. I have no idea when that happened or why.”

My phone rings and I almost jump out of my skin.

I pull it out of my pocket sending up a silent prayer that it’s Sadie. My chest deflates when I see Dad’s name on the screen.

“She’s not here. Neither Samuel or Nell have heard from her today,” I say instead of answering. I start walking back and forth in front of the garage, not being able to stand still.

“Reed.”

My heart sinks at the sound of his voice and I stop pacing.

“What?”

“You still at her house?”

“Yeah, I’m still here. No sign of her, though, and her car is still here.”

“Stay put. I’m almost there.”

I look at Samuel, the worry on his face no doubt matching my own. “What is it, Dad?”

“Just hang tight. I’ll explain when I get there. Deputy Goodman is on his way.”

“Hurry,” I growl. I have no idea what’s happening but the fact that Dad won’t tell me on the phone makes my blood boil.

I hang up and fight against the urge to throw my phone against the wall. “Goodman’s on the way,” I tell Samuel then look at Justin and explain, “Sheriff’s deputy. High school buddy of mine. Dad’s coming, too. He knows something. Don’t know anything other than that,” I add because I know they’re both wanting more answers. Get in line.

---