Shadows of You (Lost & Found #4)(107)

I clamped a hand on Drew’s shoulder. “You’re a good brother.”

One corner of his mouth pulled up. “Say that when you drop me off at school. Make sure the babes hear. They eat that big-brother stuff up.”

I smacked him lightly on the back of the head. “Don’t call women and girls babes.”

Drew’s mouth curved into a full grin. “It’s a term of endearment. They love it.”

I bet they did.

I pinned him with a stare. “We treat women with respect, and we don’t toy with their emotions.”

Drew held up both hands as he slid off his stool. “Total respect, bruh.”

“I’m your dad, not your bruh.”

Drew just chuckled. “Okay, Daddio. Where are my pads? I need to load my gear bag.”

A curse slipped free. I tried my best to keep my language clean for my kids, but every now and then, no other words worked. Like when you were supposed to wash your kid’s lacrosse pads and completely forgot.

“Dad,” Drew groaned. “Those pads reek, and Coach has a thing about doing our conditioning runs in them.”

I started toward the laundry room. “I’ll wash them now and drop your gear bag at school.”

Drew frowned. “Don’t you have work?”

“I’ve got interviews here this morning,” I said as I ducked into the laundry room.

“We don’t need a fucking nanny.” I heard Luke’s deeper tone from outside the room.

My spine stiffened, and I strode out, Drew’s pads in hand. “You say that word again, and I’ll take your electronics away for two days.”

Luke’s expression went hard. “You can’t do that.”

My brow rose. “It’s a privilege, not a right.”

“Everyone has a phone and computer. Taking them away is like putting someone in prison.”

I wanted to laugh. This kid had no idea how good he had it. I tried hard not to let the fact that we had a lot of money spoil my kids. They didn’t get everything they asked for and had to do chores for allowance, but they also had everything they needed.

I made a good living as the Cedar Ridge chief of police, but my dad’s previous outdoor company made it so my four siblings and I never had to worry about money. He’d sold it when I was in high school, which had set us all up for life. But the truth was, I rarely dipped into my trust fund.

It was one of the things that had annoyed my ex, Melody, the most. She hadn’t understood why I wanted to work. Why we didn’t go on lavish vacations every month or drive Lamborghinis.

I’d used some of my portion to buy this house. And I’d use it to send the boys to college. But other than that, I didn’t need it. I liked living simply.

My family had taught me time and again that it wasn’t physical belongings that mattered but the people you had around you and the experiences you shared.

“Whatever,” Luke mumbled, shoving something into his backpack.

He was the spitting image of me, but it was like looking at a stranger. He’d taken to wearing only black, and I’d caught him texting with a friend that he wanted to get a fake ID so he could get a tattoo.

A knock sounded on the door, but Luke ignored it. That muscle beneath my eye fluttered faster, but I didn’t say a word; I simply crossed the vast, open-concept living and kitchen space to get to the front of the house.

Balancing the gear in one arm, I barely managed to grab the knob. A light laugh greeted me as I opened the door.

“You okay there, big bro?” Grae asked as she slipped inside.

“Just fine and dandy,” I grumbled.

“Aunt G!” Charlie yelled, running down the hall.

He launched himself at her, and she caught him easily. “How’s my guy?”

“Good. What are you doing here?” he asked with a grin, his earlier hurt clearly forgotten.

“I’m taking you to school today, but I don’t think you can go in your PJs.”

I glanced at the clock on the wall and bit back another curse. They were going to be late. “Gotta hurry, Charlie Bear. Get changed and brush your teeth. I’ll come help, but I gotta get these in the wash.”

“I’ve got him,” Grae assured me. “You handle the laundry.”

Luke strode toward the door. “Can I wait in your car?”

Grae’s brow furrowed. “Sure. It’s unlocked.”

Luke was out the door without another word or even a backward glance at me. “Is he okay?”

Pain lanced me. “Teenager.”

But I wasn’t so sure that was it anymore. Something was off with Luke, and for the life of me, I couldn’t get him to tell me what it was.

Lately, it felt like I was failing more than I was succeeding with him, and it killed me. But I’d fight with everything I had to make sure my kids were safe, healthy, and whole. I’d battle to the death to ensure I never failed them again.





2





HALLIE





I spread my hand over the comforter, smoothing it. It was a little shabby-looking, fraying at the corners and faded from the sunshine that streamed through the window. If my brother knew where I was staying, he would not be pleased. He’d demand that I change to a nicer, more expensive place.