Page 26 of No More Words

Olivia squeezes the taut tendons in her neck. Amber’s right. She could be removing the lid on a potential custody nightmare. But if Ethan’s been part of Josh’s life, or even just paying child support, he’ll know how to reach her. And if he hasn’t been in touch with her, Olivia wants to know why he didn’t pursue Lily after she ran away. She took his son away from him. The Ethan she thought she knew never would have let that happen.

“He might know where Lily is,” Olivia explains.

“I don’t have his number, but Pete might.” Ethan’s best friend from high school. “He follows me on Insta. I’ll DM him.”

“Thanks.”

Amber promises to text Ethan’s number as soon as she gets it and Olivia ends their call just as Josh comes in the front door. He looks at his shoes. “Sorry I ... hop.” He squeezes his eyes shut. “Ran.”

Her heart knocks around her chest. “That’s okay. You’ve been through a lot.”

He nods. “He said ...” He points at her. “Help.”

Olivia frowns, deciphering what he’s attempting to tell her.Lucas said you’ll help, comes to mind. She switches her phone between hands, back and forth. “I will. I’ll help you find your mom.” And his dad. This kid needs to go home. “So, um ... what did you and Lucas talk about?”

He shifts from one foot to the other. He cocks his arm back and pretends to throw a ball.

“Football?” she guesses and he nods. “Do you play?” He shakes his head. “Do you watch on TV?” He nods. “Favorite team?” If she can get him talking, he might remember something about his mom and share.

He licks his lips and doesn’t attempt to find the right word. He holds two fingers by his head like horns and bends at the waist, looking up at her.

Charades. Crap. She sucks at games. And it’s killing her he has to resort to hand gestures to communicate because words are lost to him. Lily must be going crazy thinking Josh is wandering around alone. Is she aware he’s missing? Is she alive to even wonder?

She clears her throat, focusing on Josh so the pit in her stomach that gets bigger with every thought of Lily stops aching. “Okay, I got this,” she says, playing along. “Buffaloes?” Josh looks appalled and she swallows a laugh, holds up her hands. “Sorry. My bad.”

He hunches over and blows air out his nose.

“Rams?”

He grins and holds out his fist.

Of course. Ethan’s favorite team. Figures. But she bumps his fist anyway.

He gestures toward the kitchen and she supposes he wants to go back to his drawing.

“Sure, fine. I have to send some texts.” She shows him her phone. “Hey, Josh.” He turns around. She gestures at his backpack. “What’ve you got in there?”

His throat ripples and she swears he pales a little. “Stuff.”

“Do you have a wallet? Anything with your address on it?” He shakes his head. “May I take a look?” she asks, approaching him, hand outstretched for the backpack.

He backs up, fear shimmering in his eyes again. “No.”

“Okay.” She stops, showing him her palms. “You’d let me know if you have something that would help with your mom, right?”

He frowns. Her question confused him. He points over his shoulder at the kitchen.

She waves him off, plotting to search his pack when he’s sleeping and feeling guilty she has to. “Go ahead. I’ll join you in a sec.”

He goes to the kitchen to do whatever and she fires off a text to Lucas.

Details.

He replies within a few minutes.

We talked.

AND ...?