Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
She smiled. Regardless of Joe’s feelings towards school and studying, he’d obviously been taught manners. “You’re very welcome.”
“I’m thirsty. Soda?” Joe asked.
Maddox nodded. “Ask Cal. He’s behind the bar.”
Joe scrambled to his feet and rushed away, pulling his cell out as he ran.
“Thank you,” Maddox said, running his hand through his hair in obvious frustration. “My parents sent him to me to keep him out of trouble and I’ve managed that much, barely. He just needs to pass his classes.”
Hadley rose to her feet. “He will. Have faith.”
“Hads!”
She turned at the sound of her sister’s voice. Dani, Layla, and Zach’s parents walked towards her.
“Hey!” She’d been texting with her sister and knew Dani was happy staying with the Dares but it was so good to see her.
“Hi,” Michael said. “How’s it going?”
“Quiet.” Hadley didn’t know if that was good or bad. She hadn’t heard back from her father since she’d left a message using the burner phone he’d given her the day she’d arrived.
Though she was antsy, she knew Zach was watching out for her and digging into her father’s background.
Michael nodded in understanding. “Where is Zach?”
“In his office with Remy.”
“I’ll go say hello.” He left the women to talk and headed back.
Aware Dani was not going to accept a big hug in public, Hadley wrapped one arm loosely around her shoulder. “You look great.” And wearing what had to be Layla’s fringed denim shorts and cropped top. Teenagers, Hadley thought, suppressing a grin.
“We sat out by the pool today and tanned.” Dani gestured towards her sunburned belly.
“I hope you wore sunscreen.” The words came out automatically as did her sister’s eyeroll.
Serenity chuckled. “They did. Girls, go ask for sodas,” she said, and they too happily bounced off towards the bar. Serenity met her gaze. “Michael and I thought you’d want to see your sister in person.”
Hadley gave her a grateful smile. “I appreciate it. Being apart hasn’t been easy. I’m so used to living under the same roof.”
“It seems like you’re the one raising her,” Serenity said. “And doing a wonderful job. She’s a lovely girl.”
“And very outspoken,” Hadley mused. “Seriously though, her mother isn’t fit to do the job and obviously neither is our father. I decided not to move out and to be the adult and parent in the house. I don’t regret my choice, either. I love her.”
“I know you do.” Serenity’s soft gaze had always made Hadley feel warm and welcomed. “She’s remarkably resilient.”
Hadley nodded. A little too hardened for her age thanks to her mother’s attitude and behavior but at heart, Dani was a good person.
The girls returned giggling and loudly whispering to each other. “He’s so cute,” Dani said to Layla, so engrossed in conversation, neither was aware anyone was paying attention to them.
“Older and hot.” Layla waved a hand in front of her eyes. “He showed up at school after Christmas. He’s living with his brother, the manager here.”
Hadley felt her eyes open wide and land on Serenity’s. Her thirteen-year-old sister was noticing Joe, a seventeen-year-old? She and Zach had been two years apart, but this was a four-year span.
Serenity put a hand on Hadley’s shoulder and shook her head, which Hadley took to mean, don’t worry. Still oblivious to the adult attention, the girls made their way to a table and sat down.
“Layla’s friends are her age,” Serenity said, continuing to reassure Hadley. “They might be noticing Joe but there is no way he’ll look twice at either one. They’re too young but regardless, I promise to keep an eye on them.”
Relieved, Hadley blew out a long breath. “Thank you. I am not ready for the boy-crazy stage.” Not when she was deep in memories of her own teenage years and the love she’d had for her then-boyfriend.
“Hi, Mom.”
As if Hadley’s thoughts had conjured him, Zach strode over, his father by his side. He gave Serenity a kiss on the cheek.
“Hello, Zach,” Serenity murmured.
He braced a hand on the back of the nearest chair. “What are you two deep in conversation about?”
Hadley shook her head, not wanting to get into her raising Dani now.
“We were just catching up,” Serenity said.
“Where’s Remy?” Hadley asked.
Zach pointed toward the back. “Still in the office but he’ll head to his house in a little while.”
Michael cleared his throat. “Hon, do you want to eat dinner here?”
Serenity nodded, a pleased smile on her face. “No cooking for me? Definitely. Let’s go join the girls.” She tilted her head towards the table where the kids sat.
Before Zach’s parents could head over, the two teens jumped out of their seats and joined the group, both rambling at the same time.
Hadley caught the words music festival, beach, and tonight. Sheila had mentioned the concert on the beach to her earlier and warned Hadley people would start to line up to get boxed meals they’d preordered.