Don't Let Go(82)

“I’m at the bookstore, where are you?” Hayden said.
“I’m—nearby,” I said. Across the street in the park, in the rain, making out with Noah. “Why are you at the store?”
“To find you because you wouldn’t answer your phone,” he said. “Is there a reason Becca’s out of school today? Exam exemptions or something?”
Doom that reminded me of my real life settled into my skin. Real life that didn’t include romance or man drama or old flames, but was more centered on homework and bad plumbing and utility bills. And Becca skipping school.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I just saw her on the back of a motorcycle with some guy going down the highway.”



Chapter 21

Shit.
In the few minutes it took Noah and me to make it to the store, Seth arrived there as well. He took one look at our faces as we jogged across the street to get under the awning, teeth chattering and my face probably raw, and raised an eyebrow.
Glorious.
I yanked open the door to blessed warmth and some rather unblessed looks from Hayden. Ruthie was mouthing an I’m sorry in the background, and his prepared words died on his lips when his eyes landed on Noah. They narrowed back on me. On us. And our disheveled, drowned rat appearance.
“Really?” he said.
“Becca?” I said, refocusing him.
Hayden blinked that particular irritation free and picked the more relevant one.
“I was headed to Katyville, just before the sky opened up, and what should pass me but a motorcycle going ninety-to-nothing. My first thought was well, they’re trying to beat the rain. My second thought was oh, hey, look, there’s Becca’s hair.”
“No helmet,” I said, like that was the biggest issue.
“No,” he said.
“You’re sure it was her?” I asked, although with her history I didn’t really question it. I blew on my frozen fingers.
“I’m sure,” he said. “I tried to follow but they exited on Cayman Boulevard and I lost them. Been calling you ever since.”
“Jules,” Ruthie said, her face wary, her eyes darting to Hayden. “Cayman is—”
“I know what Cayman is,” Hayden said, wheeling around. “Thanks.”
“Hey, don’t be a prick, Hayden,” I said, my teeth chattering harder and my whole body shaking at that point. “She’s trying to help.”
He closed his eyes for a second to pull it together, and I knew it was hard. Noah’s presence wasn’t helping. Knowing that his daughter just went to an infamous part of town known locally as Sin Alley was enough. Cayman Boulevard was lined with seedy motels that generally charged by the hour. I was pretty nauseous over it myself.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry,” he echoed, turning to Ruthie. “I’m just—”
“I know,” I said, peeling my soaked jacket off.
“Jesus, Jules,” Hayden said, coming forward and rubbing my arms. “You’re like gray.”
“I’m good,” I said, catching his hands, too aware of Noah standing there. Which was crazy since he had a woman at home waiting on him. Kind of. “What do we do? Drive up and down Cayman till we see the bike?”
“I don’t think that’s wise,” Noah said, having miraculously controlled his own reaction to the cold. He wasn’t even shaking anymore. I didn’t know how, but then again he had been trained to be Superman.
“I’m sorry, were you consulted?” Hayden asked.
“Hayden—”
“Don’t Hayden me, Jules,” he said, an edge curving his words up at the ends, a tell that meant he was at a breaking point.
“I’m just saying,” Noah continued, his voice even and calm. “To think back.” His eyes bored into me. “You were her age. We were. How would it have gone down if your mother had walked in?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Hayden said. “Maybe she wouldn’t have gotten pregnant at seventeen with a bastard child she’d mourn for the rest of her life.”
“Hayden!” I yelled, my eyes going directly to Seth, who was trying to stop Noah.
Noah was quick, crossing the few feet to Hayden in seconds, backing him up to the counter. Seth had a hand on his shoulder, but he wasn’t budging.
“I’ve had about enough of you,” Noah said through his teeth. “We are trying to help here, and you really need to help yourself.”
“Noah, it’s all right, really,” Seth was saying. Not that either of them heard him.
Hayden was too pissed off to be cowed down this time, however. He bowed up and shoved Noah’s hands away, looking him eye to eye. My stomach plummeted, knowing that the timing was bad for both of them.
“You gonna put my head on a table again?” Hayden seethed. “Go ahead. Give it a shot.” Every muscle in his face and body twitched. “You may very well succeed. You might kick my ass. But I’m stone-cold sober this time and I will take you down with me.”
It was too much.
I could see the pain in Hayden’s eyes, and it wasn’t just about me or Noah or his pride this time. His baby girl was out there and he felt helpless.
“Please,” I said. To the room. To either one of them that would hear me.
Noah was the one to finally back up, and Hayden followed suit. As Noah turned, his eyes met mine for that second, and I knew he’d given Hayden that. It was a gift to a man hurting over his kid.
Deep breaths went all around, and then Seth, who had been watching quietly, said, “I have her cell number.”