Page 64

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

REED

“Dude. You need to get the hell up; you can’t stay in here forever.” Tate’s voice cuts through the blurry haze I’m living in. It’s been three days since she left, three days I haven’t seen my son, not even on FaceTime. Not so much as a damn text to tell me they’re all okay, and while I should be mad at that, I don’t blame her.

I miss them and the chaos of the house. The familiar smell of peaches surrounding Gia and the way Jax’s soft hair tickles my nostrils when I bury my nose in his hair, committing his scent to memory. Yet all of it feels like so long ago already, and I can’t smell either of them anymore. No matter how hard I try, they’re not there. It’s like they never have been.

The pain of their absence is paralyzing.

“I just want my babies back, Tate.” I sniffle, and he shifts from side to side.

Owen tracked Tyson’s phone to the airport, but only he boarded a plane back to his base, while Gia and the kids are fuck knows where.

“I know, man, come on. You need to eat something at least and shower too. You fucking stink.” He scrunches his nose. “She can’t stay away forever. She’s pissed.”

“I know that,” I snap. “I fucking know that because I did that. I promised I wouldn’t hurt her, and I destroyed her.” I shake my head and stab my finger into my chest as I become louder with each word.

His face softens. “Then maybe you should just give her some time.”

“Like you did with Ava?” I grit out, then guilt lances through me at his solemn expression. “My son is growing without me.” The thought feels crippling, like hot knives piercing through my skin and flaying my heart open, forcing my blood to run cold and causing me to tremor. “I need to tell her I love her,” I whisper through tears, the pain so intense inside me I don’t feel the effect of those tears sliding down my face, one after the other, I only know they do when they splash onto my hand.

Tate licks his lips, then he nods. He maneuvers to sit back on his haunches and surveys me from beside Gia’s bed. “Well, where would Bryce like to go? Because if I was her, I’d be keeping the kid happy.”

I shake my head. “I’ve already thought of all of his favorite places, Tate.” I shake my head as I consider the parks, the soccer games, and the community center. “Both of their favorite places.”

He nods and watches me closely.

“I don’t deserve them. He was always better than me.”

Tate frowns. “Who? The husband?”

I flinch at the word husband . “Yeah, him.” I point to the upturned photo lying on her bedside dresser. The one she’d put away in the drawer to appease me.

Tate picks it up and turns it over, and something sparks in my mind, causing hope to flare in my chest. I quickly snatch it from his hand and scan the photo.

Holy shit.

My eyes widen as I take in the scene in the photo, and I spring up from the bed.

“What is it?”

“I think I know where they are.”

“Really? Where?”

“Here.” I tap the photo. Specifically, the cabin in the background of the image.

“Do you know where it is?” Tate asks as I make quick work of shoving my feet into my shoes.

“No, but I bet Owen can find it.” I answer with a wince when I consider I should have asked more questions, but jealousy stopped me.

Tate drags a hand through his hair. “Do you think this is a good idea?”

I turn quickly to face him. “They’re my family, and I want them back. It’s the only option.” I stare at him pointedly. “I need them to know how much I love them.”

A grin breaks out across his face. “Okay, but…” He scans me up and down. “I’m not sure you’ll manage out in bumfuck nowhere.”

My eyebrows narrow, and I puff out my chest with pride. “I was a fucking Boy Scout.”

He scoffs. “In a suit?” Then he drags his gaze lazily up and down my body. “You joined for the Girl Scouts, right? To eat their cookies?” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“You sick fuck. Get the hell out of my bedroom!” I sneer back at him.

He slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Pleased to have you back, man. But you need a shower.”

I ignore him as he makes his way to the door, but when he suddenly stops, he draws my attention. “Don’t forget to pack bug spray.”

Bug spray?

I’ve more important things to consider.

Like making the woman I love take me back and keep me forever.