When Least Expected by Allison B. Hanson Read Free Book Online

run. I don’t take my phone with me when I run, you know?” She did know. Running was like meditation for him. He didn’t like to be disturbed. She used to worry that he wouldn’t be able to call her if he needed to. “When I got home I checked my phone before I went to take a shower. I didn’t have any messages. Then, later, Kel called and asked when I was bringing Aidan home and we realized something went wrong. We came here and he’s gone. I don’t have any messages on my phone, Lex. Not the one from Kelly, and not the one to her saying I could pick him up. Who could do that?”
    â€œWas the door locked at your apartment?”
    â€œNo. I—”
    â€œDon’t like the jingling,” she interrupted him, remembering. “So anyone could have come in.”
    â€œI guess. Or maybe something happened with my phone. Maybe he was here alone and someone grabbed him up.” Ian took a shaky breath.
    â€œI don’t think anyone at the school would have left him standing here alone. If kids aren’t picked up, they’re brought back inside so a parent can be called.”
    â€œWe’re going to start searching as soon as the police figure out a grid or something,” Ian explained, waving a hand of irritation at the group of officers. Kelly and Ron were surrounded by another group of official-looking people, being swarmed with questions.
    â€œScrew that. Let’s go.” She was the one pulling Ian away. Her car was on the other side of the parking lot so it was easy for them to get out.
    She started driving up and down the streets, looking for Aidan. The windows were down, as if they’d be able to hear him yelling for help.
    After the third block, Lexi began to really think about the situation.
    A stranger wouldn’t have just wandered into Ian’s apartment at the exact time Kelly sent that text. She had an idea. Maybe someone wanted to be . . . helpful.
    â€œIan?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œIs Meeghan working today?”
    â€œUm. I’m not sure. Why?” She didn’t ask why he didn’t know his girlfriend’s schedule, though she did wonder.
    â€œCall her. See if she has him.” Lex started driving toward Kelly’s house while he fumbled with his phone.
    â€œI don’t think she would have done this,” he said, holding the phone to his ear. “Hey, it’s me. Do you—”
    They were already pulling up in front of Kelly’s house. Lexi could see Aidan running around in the front yard while Meeghan sat on the steps with her phone in her hand.
    â€œWhat the hell were you thinking?” Ian started yelling as he jumped out of the car. Lexi hadn’t even gotten it in Park first.
    â€œWhat the hell are you doing with her ?” Meeghan fired back as Aidan came over to Lexi looking upset.
    â€œWhy are they fighting?” he asked, giving her a hug. Lexi already had her phone to her ear.
    â€œHe’s at your house. He’s fine. He’s safe. He’s home,” Lexi said to a hysterical Kelly as soon as she answered.
    â€œOh my God!” Kelly cried. “Thank you. We’re on our way.”
    â€œMommy’s coming,” Lex told her nephew and led him down the sidewalk, away from the screaming coming from Ian and his girlfriend.
    â€œIs Meeghan a stranger?” he asked. “I wasn’t sure. She said she was picking me up because Uncle Ian was out for a run. I figured it was okay because she was at my house before. Did I mess up?”
    â€œNo, sweetie. You did not mess up. Sometimes grown-ups mess up. It was a miscommunication.” He laughed at the big word. Lexi smiled and rephrased for her smaller audience. “Grown-ups don’t always tell each other important things.” She couldn’t help but think of how true that was. All the important things she’d never told Ian. She glanced over, seeing him still yelling. Ian and Lexi had