Page 160 of Redemption
What made him run?
A thousand more questions dart through my head until a throat clears from the bottom of my porch steps.
“Son, I don’t know why you’re holding my daughter like that, but Hayes might kill you when he finds out.”
I lift my head so fast that the top of it collides with Campbell’s chin.
Campbell groans, and I wince, rubbing at the spot and wiping away my tears.
“Dad,” I say, stepping around Campbell to see him, “What are you doing here?”
He clears his throat again, red settling into the apples of his cheeks.
It’s the second time I’ve seen him look embarrassed.
“I wanted to talk to you, but if it’s a bad time—.” He lets his words trail off.
Campbell steps up behind me and says, “I was just leaving, sir. MJ, charge your phone. I’ll keep you updated.”
I nod, already planning to text Hayes myself.
We both watch as Campbell walks to his cruiser and backs out of the driveway. And when he’s heading down the street, my dad turns back to face me.
“What’s going on?” he asks, concern dipping his brows.
My voice threatens to crack. “Tanner is missing.”
“They just went home this morning,” my dad says matter-of-factly.
“I know, Dad,” I say, trying to keep my annoyance tamped down. My dad thrives on facts—throw in emotions, and it’s a whole other ball game. So his inability to understand why Tanner would be missing after a night like last night isn’t surprising. Disappointing, but not surprising. “Look, I don’t have all the details. I need to charge my phone so I can text Hayes and figure out what’s happening. You can come back another day if you want—”
He inches up another step. “I’m staying.”
Sighing, I nod and leave the door open behind me for him to follow me in while I go charge my phone.
It was a shock to see him at the hospital last night and even more so on my doorstep today.
I can’t think of one reason he would be here, especially since last night was the first time we’ve talked since the soup kitchen.
“Make yourself at home,” I call from my bedroom.
The charger to my phone is by my bed. Walking over, I snag it from the floor and plug it in, pressing the side button over and over again until it’s finally charged enough to turn on.
Sitting down on my bed, I hold my breath as I swipe into it and search for Hayes’s name.
MJ: What’s going on? Have you found him yet?
The text back is almost instant.
Hayes: No. Theo says Tanner took off while he was sleeping. Will you call Bella to see if she’s heard anything?
MJ: Of course. But keep me updated.
Hayes: I will. I’m going to check around with the other football boys.
I don’t bother texting him back—I can’t. My hands are shaking so badly that I can hardly hold the phone. Sitting it down on my nightstand, I try to pull in some deep breaths, but within two, they turn into sobs. I try to cover my mouth so I don’t alert my dad that I’m crying, but they won’t stop coming.
Heavy footsteps sound on the floor, and I’m too embarrassed to look up when he’s standing in my doorway. I keep my head tucked down, trying to hide until polished shoes enter my line of sight. My bed dips with his weight as he sits next to me, and then strong arms are wrapped around me, rocking me back and forth.
