Page 69 of Crew

“Who was that?” Knox wondered.

I took a deep breath and then forced out the words, “My ex.”

“Ah that makes sense now. It seemed a little awkward.”

“Yeah,” I agreed.

We paid for our stuff and walked back to the rental car. My head was still a mess as I turned the car on and drove the short distance back to the motel. Once we got inside, I dropped my food on the small table and then sat on the bed and stared at the wall.

“What’s wrong?” Knox probed.

“I keep thinking about the kid. Didn’t he … Didn’t he look like me?”

“Kinda, yeah. You think he’syours?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I haven’t seen Mallory in four years. She never said anything. Never asked for help. Nothing.”

“You’d think she would’ve wanted at least financial help.”

“When she broke up with me, she said it was so I could focus on my future. Maybe she thought she was doing me a favor and telling me about the boy, even for financial help, would stop me from playing.”

Knox leaned forward, forearms on his knees. “You going to talk to her?”

“I have to. I have to know.”

He nodded slowly. “Want me to come with you?”

I met his eyes. “Would you?”

“In a heartbeat.”

I wasn’t even sure where to start looking for Mallory. But this was Harvest Ridge—small town, no secrets. I figured her parents still lived in the same place and they’d know where to find her.

It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

And I needed one.

The next morning,I woke before my alarm, already wired with nerves. I hadn’t slept much—not with Grady’s face stuck in my head all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him staring back at me. I’d wanted the trip to Harvest Ridge to be me coming out to my family and now it had turned into the possibility I was a father. This wasn’t a maybe-he’s-mine situation like that woman in San Diego. This was different. This kid was already here and if he was mine, it hurt to think about everything I’d already missed.

Knox and I checked out of the motel and stopped at the diner where my mother used to work for coffee and breakfast sandwiches to-go before heading to Mallory’s parents’. I didn’t need GPS to find the place. I could’ve made the turns in my sleep. They lived in a little one-story ranch house off a gravel road, same as they had back when Mallory and I were teenagers sneaking around after curfews.

When I pulled up to the house, the driveway was empty except fora tan SUV and a red tricycle tipped over on the grass. My throat went dry.

Knox glanced over at me. “You want me to wait here?”

I didn’t hesitate. “No. Come with me. Please.”

“Okay.”

We walked up the front steps, and I knocked. Footsteps approached, and then the door opened. Mallory didn’t seem surprised to see me.

“I was just dropping Grady off,” she explained. “I have to get to work, but I can call in and say I’ll be late.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yeah. I had a feeling you’d come find me.” Her eyes landed on Knox. “You want to talk alone or …?”

“I’d like for Knox to stay, if that’s okay.”