Page 112 of Taking Sides

“It’s fine. I just didn’t want to stay there last night, and Pepper is out of town.”

Grady takes in this information as he runs a hand along his jaw. “Do you stay at Pepper’s house often?”

“His parents are cool.” He shrugs.

“Do your foster parents know where you are?” Whitney asks.

He looks as if he wants to lie but then slowly shakes his head.

“I called them on my way and let them know you were okay,” Grady says, then puts a hand on Landon’s arm like he’s reassuring the kid.

“Oh man. I’m going to be in so much trouble.” He groans, then mutters, “They probably didn’t even know I was gone until you told them.”

“I doubt that’s true,” Whitney says.

“It is.” Landon is adamant. “Jenny’s been really sick. She can barely take care of her own two kids let alone the rest of us. No one bothers to track my schedule. They never would have noticed.”

“If that’s true, Landon, then I think this is a bigger issue. Your safety is too important to me. I can’t take you back to a house where you aren’t getting the attention you need.” Grady’s blocking the kid’s escape. Otherwise, I think he might jump the booth and sprint out of here.

“No. I’m fine. I’m not in danger or anything. Taylor breaks my shit but that’s the worst of it. I promise. It’s the best house I’ve been in, and I don’t want to move again.” He shakes his head and sits straight, nerves bouncing off him so clearly, I want to do anything to ease some of it for him. “Things will be better once Jenny has the baby. And even if they aren’t, I’ll be eighteen in a few years. I can handle it.”

My lungs hurt as I pull in air. The kid is spiraling and all I want to do is hug him.

Grady does, putting an arm around his shoulders and squeezing. “Easy, kid. Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out together. Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”

I hope he’s right.

Breakfast ends with Grady taking Landon home with him and me and Whitney riding back to her place, shell-shocked.

“I feel awful that I didn’t see it,” she says. “There were clues, and I just didn’t piece it together. His unpaid school fees, the broken laptops, not having a ride . . .”

“He didn’t want you to see it, so you didn’t.”

“Still.”

“You’re a great coach and a great human being. You did what you could once you knew.” I run my hands down her arms in long, gentle strokes.

She whimpers and then nuzzles into me, resting her cheek along my chest. Grady texted to say he talked with the school counselor, who was going to make all the other necessary calls, and until then, Landon was going to hang out with him. There’s nothing to do now but wait.

“What do you think will happen?” I ask her.

“Grady said that they’ll likely check in with his foster parents, question Landon too, and depending on how it goes he’ll either stay there or be moved to another home.”

“Good. I’m glad he’s with Grady. Maybe that could work out.”

“Maybe.” She sighs. “Or maybe I could help find another temporary placement for him. Grady said the process is long to get approved to foster or I’d take him myself. He’s a good kid. He deserves better.”

I hug her tightly. “Something will work out, but I love you for even considering doing that for him.”

I freeze after I realize what I’ve said. Neither of us acknowledges it, and we pull apart slowly.

She looks up at me and offers me a small, sad smile. “Sorry about our date.”

“I got to spend the day with you. That’s all I wanted.”

The light in her eyes returns slowly. “What a mess. First Victor goes missing and now Landon . . .”

“I know.” I lift one hand and cup the back of her head, then bring my lips to hers.