She sighed. “Yeah. I will.”
“Thank you.” He sounded almost worried. “I hope he’s okay.”
“So do I.” Mia ended the call without saying goodbye, and handed Michael back his phone.
She’d long since stopped expecting Niall to give a shit about his family. But from the expression on Michael’s face, he wasn’t quite there yet.
Cam’s phone lit up while he was in the line to buy a coffee. His plane was due to start boarding in twenty minutes. He hitched his bag onto his shoulder and swiped to accept the call. “Brian?” he said, nodding the person behind him through. “I’m at the airport. Can I call you when I’ve landed?”
“Um, not really.” Brian cleared his throat. “Something weird has happened in the Audi.”
Cam frowned. He’d forgotten all about Brian driving his car back to Boston. “What is it?” he said quickly. “If the car’s got any problems, drop it at a garage. I’ll cover the cost.”
“It’s not the car,” Brian said quickly. “It’s what’s inside. You know the space between the seats and the back, where there’s a cover to stow bags?”
“Yeah?” Cam said impatiently. He wanted to get on that damn plane.
“There’s a kid in there.”
“What?”
“I just stopped to get gas. That’s when I heard some shuffling. He somehow managed to get into the space and has fallen asleep. It’s one of the kids I gave a watch to. The little one.”
“Josh.” Cam blew out a mouthful of air. “Is he okay?”
“I think so. Should I wake him up? I’m not used to kids. Is he gonna kick and bite or something?”
“He’s not a damn dog,” Cam growled. “Just wake him gently.” He stepped back so more people could order ahead of him.
“Okay.” There was some shuffling, then Brian’s low voice. “Hey kid, you okay there?”
Cam heard a higher voice, and his heart about leapt out of his chest. Josh was okay. He put his hand on his ribcage, trying to breathe as the low conversation continued.
“Um, he’s awake,” Brian said through the phone line. “And he’s okay. Apparently, he wants to see you. He told me he got in the car when I was parked outside your house in Hartson’s Creek.”
Cam’s heart was still running a mile a minute. “Can I talk to him?”
“Sure. Hey kid, talk to Cam.” Brian’s voice echoed, as though he was holding out the phone.
“Hello?” Josh’s voice was small. “Cam?”
“Josh, are you all right?”
“Yeah. I want to see you. Are you in Boston?”
“No. I’m on my way to see your mom and Michael. They’re frantic. They have no idea where you are.”
“They’re both so angry. And Mom’s sad. She keeps crying. I wanted to see you and ask you to come back. I don’t like it when they argue.”
Cam breathed out softly. “I am coming back, pal. And I want to see you, too. Stay with Brian, okay? We’ll get you back home and I’ll meet you there. Don’t go anywhere without him.”
“All right.” There was a pause, then Josh added, “Are you mad at me, too?”
“No, bud, I’m not mad at you. I’m so happy you’re okay. But I need to get you home, and I need to let your mom know you’re okay. She’s so upset.”
Josh sobbed. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Everything’s okay. We’re gonna get you home. Can I talk to Brian again? I’ll see you in a few hours, I promise.”