Boss Me (28 page)

“Just bring me back my son,” I whisper as I choke on my emotions and the tears.

“I’d do anything to get him back for you. Anything at all, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Will says as he takes my hands in his own. “Do you want me to go out and help search?” he asks.

“No,” I say instantaneously. “I need you here with me,” I add.

“Okay. I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. I promise.” Will places a firm kiss on my forehead before pulling my head down to rest on his chest. His arms are protectively around me, cocooning me in his security and love. And I do feel it. Even if now isn’t the right time to acknowledge it, I feel Will’s love for me – and for Zach – rolling off of him in waves.

Thirty of the longest minutes of my life are spent in silence. Phones ring off and on throughout our vigil, and with each one, we hold our breath and wait. But each phone call is a disappointment when Zach still isn’t located. Will sits right next to me, rubbing my back, holding my hand, and kissing the top of my head. He never moves, never complains, never falters. He stays rooted to me the entire time.

Finally, Will starts to ask questions. “So, what set him off? Do we know?”

“The principal says that he went to the office and used their phone. They thought he was calling me, but we think he was calling you,” I say.

“Yeah, I think so, too. Holly called me from the hospital and told me that a boy was looking for me. He wouldn’t say anything more before hanging up.”

“I guess he ran out of the office and into the bathroom where he tried to pick a fight with another student. When the teacher intervened, he took off.”

“Did anything happen before today? Anything that would tell us why he acted the way he did today?”

“Well, last night, he came to me and wanted to know why you weren’t around. I told him that we were taking a bit of a break, and he became angry. He said horrible things to me last night and went to bed upset. This morning he was quiet, and I just associated it with the argument last night,” I confess to Will.

“That might explain why he was so off today. If he was still mad, he could have been looking for me for some reason. Then, when he couldn’t get ahold of me, he became upset and lashed out,” Will says logically. It was reasonable, that’s the thing. We think we have everything all figured out. Now, if we could only confirm our suspicions with Zach, that’d be great.

“Where’s Nick?” Will asks.

“He was in court. His secretary was going to call him as soon as he was finished. I expect him anytime,” I say, dread filling my entire body at the thought of Nick coming in here demanding and assuming. It’ll get much uglier before it gets better.

“So, let’s think this through,” Will says as he looks out the window. “Where would Zach go if he needed some space?”

“Home. The park. The library. The backyard. His friend, Dylan’s house, which I’ve already called and verified that he’s not there. That’s it. Those are the only places I can think of. The only places he ever goes after school or on weekends.”

Will stares straight ahead and the officer assigned to keep us company takes another phone call. When he shakes his head at me, I know it’s not the call we’re waiting on.

“That’s it? Those are the only places he would go?” Will asks, dropping down to his knees in front of me. His hands are entwined with mine as they rest on my lap.

“I can’t think of anywhere else,” I whisper and lean forward until my forehead is resting against his.

Suddenly he pulls back and almost makes me fall forward. Will grabs my shoulders to keep me from falling out of the chair. The look in his eyes is full of life and assurance. “I know where he is!”

We both jump up together as he stares straight into my eyes. “I know where he is,” he says again with a smile. “Come on, let’s go!” he yells as he pulls me out of the office.

“Wait!” the officer says, trailing behind us. “Where are we going so I can call it in,” he adds as we run down the lifeless corridor.

“To the rec center,” Will yells over his shoulder.

The rec center.
Oh my God, that’s it!

We go barreling out the front doors of the school as Will takes his cell phone out of his pocket. “Get in my squad car,” the officer says as he runs around to the driver’s side. Will and I slide in the back as quickly as possible, all while he dials a number on his phone.

“Jake, it’s me. I know where he is. He’s at the rec center,” he says. “Meet you there,” he says moments before he hangs up the phone.

Will reaches over and grabs my hand. “We’ll get to him, baby, I promise. He’s going to be alright,” he says as he places gentle kisses on my knuckles.

The police cruiser, donning flashing red lights, races through town towards the rec center. I pray that Zach is found inside and fine. If he’s not here, I don’t know what I’ll do. I can’t lose him.

Will seems to understand my internal turmoil and pulls me tight against his hard body. He continues to rub long, soothing strokes up and down my back as we race towards the place where Zach and Will have so frequently played basketball together.

Five agonizingly slow minutes later, the squad car pulls into the parking lot and heads straight for the front door. As soon as he’s stopped he opens the backdoor for Will and me to exit. As we race up the steps of the center, several other squad cars pull into the parking lot and head toward us.

But, we don’t wait.

Will pulls open the door and we sprint inside. My hand is firmly held within his as he pulls me to the left and toward the basketball court. The sound of a ball dribbling echoes off the empty seats.

Please let that be him,
I chant over and over again until we’re finally reaching the double doors of the basketball court.

Will gives the door a tug and we sail inside. There on the opposite end of the court, shooting a free throw is Zach. My brown haired, brown-eyed twelve-year-old is fine. And playing basketball.

“Zach!” I yell as I take off across the court toward him.

Zach drops the ball and turns around facing us. His face is tear-streaked and slightly dirty, but I don’t care. I throw my arms around him and squeeze so hard, I’m afraid I’ll hear bones break. But I don’t care about that much right now either, because Zach is back in my arms and it’s one of the greatest feelings on earth.

“I’m sorry,” he cries into my shoulder.

“Shhhhh. Don’t worry about that right now, okay? Are you hurt?” I ask, pushing him back so I can check him over. Zach shakes his head no as he wipes the tears from his eyes.

“Hey, buddy,” Will says as he kneels next to me in front of Zach. Zach doesn’t hesitate as he launches himself into his arms.

“I’m sorry, Will,” he mumbles as the tears stream down his face and soak into Will’s coat.

“You have nothing to apologize for right now. We’ll talk about all of this later. We’re just glad that you’re alright,” Will tells him. “We’ve been worried sick.”

“I know,” Zach says as he drops his eyes and stands back up.

Maddox and Jake, as well as a few other police officers, join us on the court. A few questions are thrown at Zach, and then at me, but for the most part, everyone seems to be glad this situation has a happy ending. Something happening to Zach is my greatest fear, and this incident having a bad outcome would have killed me. Figuratively, and probably eventually, literally.

An ambulance arrives a few moments later, and Will explains that it’s standard procedure to have Zach checked out, which I already know. Even though he appears fine and states the same, we want to have a quick assessment done to make sure he’s healthy after his afternoon of being on his own and walking a couple of miles in the January elements without a coat.

I walk with Zach towards the waiting paramedic. Will joins us, shaking hands with Tim as we approach. Tim takes Zach over to his supplies sitting next to the bleachers and begins checking his blood pressure and other vitals. Will and I slowly make our way over toward where they’re at.

“So,…” he says, leaving the rest of his sentence completely open for me.

“So, I was thinking,” I start but cut off when Zach rejoins us.

“Everything looks great,” Tim says as he packs up his supplies. “I have a blanket in the back of the rig that you can use to wrap around him until you get him home. I don’t see any reason why he needs to go to the hospital for further evaluation.”

“Thank you, Tim,” I say, sticking my hand out towards my former employee.

“You’re welcome, Carmen,” he says without hesitation.

“How’s the new baby?” I ask.

“She’s perfect,” he says with a big smile.

“Good to hear,” I say as I wrap my arms around Zach one more time. The thought of never being able to do this is too much to bear.

“Jake and Maddox are going to run us back to the school to get our cars,” Will says as he approaches and ruffles Zach’s hair.

The ride back to the school is surprisingly quiet. Everyone seems lost in their own thoughts, and Zach knows that the inevitable discussion and expected punishment is still to come. When we reach the school, Will steps out and waits for us to join him. His hands are casually tucked inside his coat pocket, but you can see the uncertainty in his eyes. He’s anything but casual.

“About what I said,” I start, but cut off again.

“Dad!” Zach hollers and turns to run toward Nick. Will and I each turn around and watch as Zach launches himself into Nick’s waiting arms. I choke back the emotion that is, again, threatening to overtake me as I watch Nick wrap Zach securely in his arms. Though I can’t hear what he’s saying, I see Zach shaking his head up and down against Nick’s shoulder.

Eventually, after their own private moment, they both approach Will and I. Nick gives Will the once-over and turns his attention towards me. “I’d like to go back to your place for a bit,” Nick says looking directly at me.

“Of course,” I reply before turning and looking at Will.

“I’ll let you all get out of the cold. Zach, I’m glad everything turned out okay,” Will says as he steps forward and extends his hand to my son. Zach completely ignores it and throws himself in his arms once more. My heart slams into my chest with the force of a semi at their exchange. No man has ever touched my life the way Will Stevens has. No man ever will.

“Nick, it was good to see you again,” Will says as he shakes hands with my ex-husband.

“Nice to see you, Will,” Nick says, his tone casual, yet business-like.

“Goodbye,” Will says, this time directed at me. The intensity of his blue eyes knocks me for a loop as I sway slightly on my feet. Not enough that anyone would notice, but enough that I feel it all the way to my toes. That one word was painful to hear, and it just confirms my thoughts on Will and our future together.

I smile a small smile as Will turns and walks toward his car.

“You don’t want him to come to the house for the talk?” Nick asks with his well-groomed eyebrow up in his styled hairline.

“What?” I ask, confused at his question. Didn’t he have a problem with Will?

“If we’re going to have a talk about what happened with our son, I thought you’d want Will to be there for it,” he states. “I figured that it must be somewhat serious if you’re bringing him around our son. You obviously lean on him when you need someone. He was here for you today, so I assumed he’d be a part of this discussion. Unless your relationship isn’t at that point?”

I turn to look at Will as he approaches his car. My feet carry me towards him before I even realize what I’m doing. I run towards him, my breath coming out in white puffs from the cold.

“Will!” I yell as he reaches for his door handle. Will turns around just as I reach him. “I…I’m sorry I called you so upset.”

“Don’t be. I’m not. You can call me anytime you need me, Carmen.”

“What if…what if I need you now?” I whisper, staring up at his brilliant blue eyes. They dilate and turn dark as he takes in the words I said.

“What do you mean?” he asks without moving.

I take a step forward until I’m invading his personal space. I feel his body heat rolling off of him in big, warm waves. I long for those arms to wrap around me and pull me into his embrace.

“What if I’ve discovered that I need you in my life? Tonight. Tomorrow. And maybe even after that,” I say, trying to school every feature I have to remain strong and collected. What if he says no? What if I’m too late? He said he’d wait, but what if it’s already too late to get back what we had?

“Maybe?” Will asks, his handsome face giving away nothing. “Honey, I’m pretty sure that if you want me tonight and tomorrow, you’d better be ready for every day after that, because there is no way I am letting you go again,” he says before finally cracking a hint of a smile.

I waste no time throwing my arms around his shoulders and my lips against his. They are cold and dry, but oh so warm. So right.

“The only reason I walked out that door when I did was because I knew you were upset. And the only reason I’ve stayed away this long is because I know we both had issues to work out. But, I can’t do it anymore, Carmen. I can’t stay away. Don’t make me stay away any longer,” Will all but begs against my lips.

“I don’t want you to go away, Will. I want you to stay. Stay with me,” I tell him, laying my heart out in front of him.

“Then, I’m all yours, sweetheart. Forever,” he whispers before claiming my lips in a searing, sultry kiss. The kiss that signifies the start of our life together.

“I love you, Carmen. You. Always you,” he whispers as he places open-mouthed kisses on my lips and cheeks. His warm hands cradle my cool cheeks as he worships my mouth with his own.

“I love you, too,” I reply and mean it from the bottom of my heart.

“Mom, I’m gonna ride over to the house with Dad, okay?” Zach hollers from behind us.

“Okay,” I reply, throwing a look over my shoulder at my son, my breathing coming out in big white puffs of air. He’s standing there with a big smile on his face as he watches us, taking in the sight of Will and I embracing.

“You should head home,” Will says as he tucks me securely within his arms.

“Aren’t you coming with me?” I ask, voice laced with panic.