I suddenly feel like a starving animal, protecting the only food source I have—Dereck. No dark-mist bullshit, or damn Father, is going to take Dereck from me. I slam back into my body and yell, “Because Mom pissed herself, and it got on Dereck when he picked her up and carried her up the stairs to bed! You weren’t here to help me! Didn’t think you would mind if he washed it off!” My heart is pounding with adrenaline.
The dark mist evaporates.
Silence.
Both men stare at me. Any truth about my dad/father that I don’t want Dereck to learn about disappears for now. My secret is safe.
Dad blinks and stutters, “Uh, I see. Uh, sorry. Thank you… Dereck, for your help.”
No longer worried for me, Dereck now appears worried for my dad’s safety. “No problem, sir. Sorry… for the… misunderstanding.”
There seems to be a connection in what just transpired—the mist leaving and Dereck calming down. The mist leaving and Father/Dad being reasonable again—when Dereck’s present.
Dad shows a hint of the Dad I used to know, telling Dereck, “I’m sure Serenity would rather you not see that side.”
Dereck raises his hands. “Every family has things they prefer to keep private. Trust me, I know.” He looks at me. “Serenity, may I call you later?”
My anger falls away, and my shoulders soften. “Of course. Thank you, again, Dereck. I have no words to—”
He exposes his palms again. “None needed.” Then he faces Dad. “Good night, sir.”
I hear the front door shut as I get up from the floor, in desperate need of another shower. This time a steaming-hot, emotionally cleansing one.
Leaving the kitchen, I stop in the doorway. I don’t look at him but feel my first sign of maturity as I warn Dad, “Dereck is the only peace I have in this godforsaken life you make me live in.” After a pause, I growl, “Don’t ever get near him again.”
After finding a bit of strength last night, I am saddened it has already been taken away. Without Dereck’s presence, Father returned, and my night was hell. I got barely any sleep, and my eyes struggle to open. My nose register a strong odor, and I see the dripping perfume bottle lying on its side on top of my dresser. Sitting up in my bed, I glance over all my belongings on the floor, showing the first signs of the aftermath of another long night. She came in for safety, again. And again, I failed her.
I walk out onto my balcony to breathe. The big oak tree that shelters me and my room whispers, “Good morning.”
I whisper back with an apology to Mother Nature. “Good morning. Sorry for the ruckus last night. You know how it is.”
I find myself humming the cloaked one’s melody, allowing the breeze to cleanse me. Thinking of Dereck, I realize how sharp his instincts are. An eerie feeling comes over me that someday, Dereck will regret not listening to those very instincts. He was right to react the way he did last night—Father has become a monster.
After walking down the stairs to the couch where my mother rests, I’m pleasantly surprised when her eyes open. She’s on another road to recovery.
“Good morning,” she says with a weak voice. Her incredible hangovers would probably kill most human beings.
“You okay?” I ask with unusual mixed emotions.
Her long brown hair has dulled over the years, along with her big green eyes. My eyes are now the only living memory of what hers used to be. The alcohol has sucked so much from her life, and mine.
She blinks, perhaps trying to clear a fog I cannot see. “Yes, I’m getting up in a minute. I have work today.” She speaks as though I’m not aware of what transpired here last night.
For some unknown reason, that makes me angry. “No, Mom. You have no work. It’s Sunday. Can I get you anything?” Like a glass of water, or a shrink?
Chapter Twelve
Released
A month passes in a heartbeat. Even though Faith is not the cloaked one, I’ve enjoyed getting closer to her. She is a wonderful person who refuses to speak of what she knows about me. Not that we ever really have time alone. Dereck and I see each other every day, and most days, Skyler is with us. The only time she’s not is when she has a shift at the run-down gas station. Her bond with Dereck is different than mine but very strong nonetheless. I believe Dereck and Skyler unconsciously remember their connection from a past life. Having older sisters only, Sky has always wanted an older brother. Dereck was her older brother in a past life, and he died for her. That bond is still with them.
Rocco joins us often. Takes his lashings from Sky with a smile ’cause he loves her grit, and in hopes she’s finally forgiven Sonia’s kiss. Alexandria and Payton have indeed pulled away, so for now the Crew comprises Josh, Jolene, Rocco, Dereck, and two new members—Sky and me.
“Dear Lord, Joles. This cooler and all this shit might sink the boat,” Dereck teases as he puts the heavy item in the bed of his truck.
“You gave me two hundred dollars. I thought that meant buy a lotta stuff.”
Josh picks up a bag of charcoal and mumbles, “My poor ass would’ve held onto the two hundred and taken you all through the drive-through, pointed out the dollar menu choices, and pocketed the rest.”
Rocco grabs some bags. “Hence why Dereck forked it over to your better half.”
The truck is now loaded with supplies for our boat ride. Dereck stops getting behind the steering wheel when he sees Josh sandwiched between Sky and me, in the backseat. “What the hell?”
We grin with guilt as our heads rest on Josh’s shoulders. We miss him. Besides, this past month, Dereck has had the Shorties in the front seat with him everywhere he goes.
Josh has his arms around us, grinning ear to ear. “Mine. First.”
Jolene gets in, sliding to the middle of the front seat. “Don’t try to understand those three, Dereck, ’cause you never will.”
We both kiss Josh’s cheek—which of course he loves. “Mmmm, my Shorties.” He kisses us back, repeatedly. “Mine, mine, mine.”
Dereck pretends to be wounded. “Boy, oh boy. We’ve been attached at the hip, but nooo, now that Josh is here…”
Josh doesn’t argue. “Is what it is, bro.”
Jolene throws her arms around the guys who are now sandwiching her. “We have it good up here. Huh, boys?”
Rocco agrees, “That’s right.”
“I thought you liked Latinas.”
The day has begun. Your turn, Rocco.
“Sky! It was my mom’s fault.”
“I know, and your dog ate your homework.”
Next?
Rocco mumbles, almost pouting, “I don’t have a dog.”
Good one, Teddy Bear.
Mama Hen steps in. “Damn! You two need to kiss and hook up already. This foreplay has been going on for a month.”
Rocco peers over his shoulder at Sky, catching her smiling at the thought of kissing him. A smile fills his face.
Josh pushes Roc’s cheek. “Take that grin to the front seat, Player.”
I don’t miss the reference, “Player.” Josh knows more than he’s telling.
Rocco laughs, says, “Yes, sir, El Ca-pee-ton,” and faces forward.
Skyler reaches up and tugs his ear. Roc grabs her hand and holds her palm to his cheek. Ordinarily, seeing this would melt my heart, but Josh glares out the window. I feel his tension.
We’re halfway there when I realize I’ve forgotten something important. “I forgot my overshirt. I’m gonna burn.”
Jolene is already digging through her bag. “I’m searching.”
“Me, too!” Roc acts as though he has a purse.
“There’s a shop at the marina,” Dereck says. “I’ll buy you one.”
Besides his home, this boat ride is the first sign I’ve seen of Dereck’s money, and it has me on edge fo
r some reason. “No, thank you.”
“You’re the opposite of every girl I’ve ever dated.”
Josh proudly states, “Because she’s real!”
“She’s my girlfriend. Why can’t I buy her a T-shirt?”
Josh has no reply. He sinks back into his seat, thinking. Now knowing he knows more about me than he lets on, I wonder if he’s analyzing my actions.
I’m fine!
“Found one.” Sky holds up a T-shirt.
Good, now this conversation can end.
We pull into a marina, and Dereck parks next to a dock. The Crew gets out and starts unloading the truck as if out of habit. Dereck explains that this particular boat we are about to experience is the one the Hamilton kids can play on because it doesn’t need a captain.
What the hell does that mean?
The lake is massive, and the looks of this marina make me feel a little overwhelmed. I’m beginning to comprehend that a T-shirt would not exactly break Dereck’s piggy bank. Different-sized boats are everywhere, all screaming money.
A man with a shirt reading Sunset Marina approaches, saying, “Mr. Hamilton, she’s all ready to go.”
Dereck accepts the keys he’s offered. “Thank you.”
He seems so comfortable in this environment, I’m realizing this is Dereck’s turf, and I suddenly feel out of place here. Sky must agree, because she and I, holding hands, start following Dereck around like two lost puppies. A bit overstimulated, we find our clinginess shifting into high gear. When Dereck stops walking, Skyler and I crash into his back because we’re too busy studying everything around us.
He faces us—“Come ’ere”—and pulls us in, just as he’s been doing for weeks. “What’s wrong with my girls?”
The Wise Ones are observing, but I can’t stop this embarrassing little-girl behavior.
Eating a pear, Rocco approaches. “Shorties afraid of boats?”
We both shrug, still looking around with much reservation.
He sounds intrigued. “Have you two ever been on a boat?”
Josh inhales. “Time to venture out of your cozy hole, my little hermits.”
As if I’m not already having a cringe-worthy breakdown, Jolene is suddenly handing me a bag. “Here. Carry this to the boat.” Shocked by her non–Mama Hen behavior, I take four steps. Then, with bag in hand, I stop. Which boat? “You, too,” Jolene says, handing Sky some towels.
“Yeah! Earn your keep, girl,” Dereck heckles Sky.
“Bite me, Hamilton.”
“There she is.” Dereck grins.
Skyler walks over to me, and we both stand there, clueless about what to do next.
Dereck fills his arms and walks past us. “Let’s travel.”
We scurry behind him like ducklings following their mama. Who would ever believe Dereck is only nine months older than me?
His boat is a wonderful green color. It has white seats and metal racks overhead with small waterboards attached. They look like big skis. Dereck steps aboard, and the whole boat moves. Sky and I freeze—shamefully paralyzed by such minor, new events. Again, I’m humiliated by my obvious hesitation.
As I pray no one makes fun of me, Jolene steps around us and onto the boat. I’m sure she sees our fear and wonder why she’s acting as if she doesn’t. She only points.
“Sky, put those towels under that seat-top that covers a cubbyhole, and Serenity, I need that bag over here so we can unload it.”
I take a deep breath, then Sky and I step onto the boat.
The boys put down their loads and leap back onto the dock. “Wanna come park the truck?” Dereck holds out his hand for me.
I want that hand, so I seize it.
Sky starts following until Jolene says, “Baby girl, I need you to stay and help me. Can you lift this seat cushion for me?”
Sky slowly walks to her but is soon distracted, unloading the bag I carried aboard.
Roc and Josh get the rest of the supplies from the back of the truck and head to the boat. Dereck opens his door, and I climb over his seat that now has a cover to prevent the wear and tear from the constant travel of Sky and me.
From a distance, Josh complains, “Stop staring at her ass.”
“She keeps putting it in my face!” Dereck gets behind the wheel. I watch his body relax. Dereck smiles at me with a huge exhale. “Hi, baby.”
His voice stings me, sounding sort of tired. I gaze at my right and see that Skyler isn’t there. It dawns on me that two girlfriends may be a lot for any man. “I’m sorry, Dereck. I didn’t realize—”
“It’s okay. I don’t want to move Skyler aside. I love her, I really do. I feel like she’s my little sister. Does that make sense? Even though I don’t see you that way, like, at all?”
“It does… but you would appreciate a little more alone time?”
He starts his engine. “It’s not the alone time, it’s the—”
I blush with excitement. “You want to kiss me.”
He nods, with his whole body. Bless his heart. “Yes. Yes, I do. But I don’t want to make Sky uncomfortable.” He starts driving.
“Dereck, Josh and Jolene kiss in front of her—us—all the time!”
He peers at me. “So, you’re okay with it?”
“Hell, yeah. If you want a kiss, get one!”
Dereck laughs at me as he parks and turns off the truck.
I smirk. “Like this.” I move in and kiss him.
Until we melt to one another, I hadn’t realized how much we needed this and how much I want more. His arms wrap around me in a frenzy. I pull on him to lie across his front seat, feeling an urge to experience more of him. His kiss becomes stronger while his body follows. Struggling to breathe, he says, “Josh is gonna castrate me.”
My mouth widens. Dereck moans and dives in. Delicious.
Far too soon, Dereck lifts up and hovers over me. Out of breath, he says, “Maybe we won’t do that in front of her.”
I giggle as he rearranges himself.
With visible regret, Dereck opens his door and steps out, putting his back to me. “Hop on.” I climb on his back for a piggyback ride, kissing his cheek over and over. My heart is his.
We get to the boat and are greeted by a smirking Jolene.
“Never seen you so happy after parking the truck before, Dereck. Hmm?”
Dereck steps onto the boat with me still on his back. Even with my weight, he feels lighter to me now—like a weight has been lifted. Dereck puts me down but doesn’t seem to want to let me go. When Jolene winks at him, I realize the Wise Ones have begun an intervention.
Sky walks up to me.
Dereck steps away.
No, I can find balance. I pull Dereck to me so we’re stomach to ribs. Catching on to Josh and Jolene interfering, Sky grabs my hand and leans into my back. I believe Sky is delivering adequate stink eyes to the betrayers because Josh tries to duck behind Jolene. I hold Skyler’s hand behind me and tilt my head up to Dereck for a kiss. He glances at Sky.
Sky’s busy mouthing off to Jolene and Josh, “Mind your own business, freaks.”
They laugh along with Rocco. Dereck chuckles, and I get a gentle caress of his lips.
See? We figured it out.
After Jolene loads us all with enough sunscreen to cover a small country, Dereck starts the engine, and everyone else does whatever boat people do. Sky and I watch ropes with white tube thingies attached to them being pulled into the boat, and most everything gets tied down. Obviously, this is not the Crew’s first rodeo.
Once on our way, the wonderful sun finds me, melting away all my remaining insecurities. As with how quickly I learned to love motorcycles, I begin to understand the infatuation of boating. The same wind announcing a newfound freedom hits my soul, daring me t
o … live.
Sitting on a bench seat along the railing of the boat, Sky takes up conversation with Roc, so I take advantage of the moment. Dereck, obviously pleased to see me approach him, sits me between his legs while he drives us across the lake. I lean back against his chest and take in this view—the beachie-looking islands, the passing boats, and the hills surrounding us.
“Thank you for bringing me, Dereck.”
His reply is a kiss on top of my head.
Music vibrates through my feet as we glide with a rumbling engine as our power. To my disappointment, the boat eventually slows down, then Dereck puts it in neutral. We drift with nature as Dereck says, “Mind sitting with Sky? I’m gonna need room for what’s coming.” His dancing eyebrows promise pure entertainment.
As I sit next to Sky, Rocco unties the boards that are hanging over the top of us. Sky asks, “What are those, Tower?”
“Wakeboards.”
Josh grabs ropes with handles. Mama Hen grabs life jackets.
With a life preserver properly in place, Roc jumps into the water and places his feet into the shoe bindings connected to the board. “Let’s roll!”
After hand signals between Dereck and Josh—who’s at the end of the boat, acting as if he’s a watchman—engines roar, and Roc is pulled out of the water to a standing position on the board, on top of the water.
Very. Cool.
Rocco is screaming with excitement, and Josh appears to be chomping at the bit for his turn.
Dereck points at Roc. “Now you get to see how strong this kid really is.”
Josh beams at the challenge. “Take him down, Pretty Boy!”
Dereck maneuvers the boat like a madman, but Rocco hangs on till his body finally gives in to the impossible power of the boat and created waves and crashes into the water.
As the boat turns around for him, Sky gets on her knees on the seat and yells over the side, “Roc! You’re a true freak of nature!”
“It’s fun! You wanna try it?”
Serenity (Forever Book 1) Page 12
