Free No Accident by Emily Blake Page B

anyone else—let alone care!”
    Everyone went silent. “I can’t take this anymore,” Chad said. “I’m going to find Will. Since apparently I’m the only one who’s even noticed he’s gone.”
    Chad stormed out of the kitchen, grabbed his jacket off a hook in the front hall, and headed out the door. The cold air was a welcome change from the heat of his house. He was halfway down the walk when he realized he should have brought a jacket for Will, too. But he was not going back now. With each stepaway from his parents and Dustin he felt a little better. But the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach would only go away when he knew Will was safe.
    In his head, Chad made a list of the places Will was likely to be: a certain bench at the park, the bus stop, their regular hot-dog spot. He checked them all but saw no sign of his brother. He was trying to figure out what to do next when something caught his eye—a flash of orange near the Dumpster behind Doggie Dog.
    Taking a few steps closer, Chad felt relief wash over him. He broke into a run. Will’s bright orange sweatshirt was his favorite. He wore it all the time, so much so that Chad had started washing it for him while he was asleep so he wouldn’t get upset if it was dirty and his mom said he couldn’t wear it.
    Slowing his pace as he got closer, Chad relaxed his shoulders. He had to act casual. Will was probably pretty spooked. If he caught on to Chad’s anxiety it would only make the situation worse. “Hey, buddy,” he greeted, squeezing in beside the Dumpster and trying not to notice the smell. “How ya doin’?” Chadslipped down the wall so he was sitting next to his brother.
    Will didn’t even look at him. He just kept nodding, his arms wrapped tightly around his knees. “Coming to live with me ,” he mumbled. “Chad’s coming to live with me.”
    â€œThat’s right, Will. I do live with you. Chad lives with Will,” he said softly, putting a hand on his brother’s shoulder. If he touched him too quickly or too much, Will would pull away. His approach was slow. He didn’t think he had it in him to chase Will down if he bolted. “I’m not going anywhere, buddy. I promise.” As far as he was concerned, Will was the only person in his house worth staying for.
    Will stopped bobbing his head and repeating himself. But he didn’t look up.
    Well, that’s better than nothing , Chad thought. He was used to reading his brother’s nonverbal cues. Eye contact was a biggie. Will only looked into the faces of people he trusted, and even then it was rare. Chad now had to figure out how to get him away from the giant Dumpster, which really reeked.
    While he tried to come up with a plan, Chadstared at a half-eaten hot dog covered in ketchup and ants a few inches under the edge of the Dumpster. Nice.
    â€œHow abo—”
    An expensive black SUV pulled into the Doggie Dog parking lot, stopping Chad short. The car rolled to a halt just fifteen feet away from the boys.
    It can’t be , Chad thought desperately. It just can’t. But when the car door opened and the blonde stepped out of the backseat, his fears were confirmed. It was Kelly.
    Chad resisted the urge to run as he watched Kelly approach the small green garbage can by the bus stop, with a brown paper bag. She dropped it inside, then looked his way, stopped…and stared for a long moment.
    Chad froze like a deer caught in Kelly’s headlights. This was the worst possible way for her to see him, squatting with his freaked-out brother by a desiccated hot dog near a Dumpster. Nothing could be further from the image he worked to maintain at school.
    â€œChad?” Kelly finally said. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œHey, Kelly,” Chad said. He struggled to his feet, trying to sound casual. He wasn’t sure if his girlfriend had gotten a good look at his