Page 38 of Louder Than Words

He presses his palm gently to my cheek, searching my eyes. “I wish I could come in and say hi to the girls. But I don’t want to tease them.”

“Plus, you don’t want to be late for your guys’ first radio show,” I say in a singsong voice, pushing his nervous buttons.

His eyes pinch closed as he groans. “You justhadto remind me.”

I chuckle and cup both his cheeks, planting a kiss on his nose. “You guys will do great. Just be yourself.”

“So, sit in the corner and don’t talk to anyone?” he asks, raising a brow.

I tilt my head. “Jax.”

“Kidding, love.” He chuckles softly. His eyes flick to the dash, and he sighs. “I really should get going if I want to beat rush hour.”

My heart sinks when I glance at the clock and realize we’ve been sitting here for a while. Because of my mental breakdowns—again.

It feels like things are either really good or really bad, with absolutely no in-betweens.

I lean in and press one more kiss to his lips, knowing I’m trying to make this moment stretch just a second longer. He kisses me back, his thumb brushing over my cheek one last time before he lets me go.

“Text me when you get there?” I ask, already reaching for the door.

“You know I will.”

I slide out of the car and walk up to the porch.

As he pulls away, he leans out the window, waving. “Tell Charlotte I’ll talk to her tonight!” he calls.

I chuckle, shaking my head as I watch his taillights disappear down the street.

Then I step inside the house where everything feels quiet and still.

Too quiet and still.

“Mom?” I call out.

No answer.

“Charlie? Lydia?”

Still nothing.

Anxiety licks up my spine, goosebumps prickling across my arms as I stand frozen, straining to hear anything.

Anything that tells mesomeone’shere.

I dart to the window, yanking the curtain back to check for Mom’s car.

Nothing.

My pulse spikes. I rip my phone from my pocket and call her number as I take the stairs two at a time, flinging every door open.

It rings. And rings. Until—

“The person you are trying to reach is not available. Please leave a message after the to—”

Tears sting my eyes as I shove the phone back in my pocket and burst into the girls’ rooms.

Drawers left wide open.