Serenity (Forever Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  I lean over and kiss his beautiful cheek. “Thank you, Dereck. Every night, as my personal prayer, I will send the ones we speak of, the abused and lonely souls, my love, my encouragement to hold on until their path is more clear.”

  “I believe that was part of your agreement. You’re kind and will help people someday.”

  Those words sing to my heart. “I want to go home, Dereck.”

  Home…

  The engine picks up speed…

  Alexander’s home on Lake Travis is beyond impressive. Modern, but with an edge to complement its natural surroundings. “Are you ready?” Dereck asks me at their front door. “I’m not exaggerating. They’re extremely excited to meet you.”

  Nervously, I nod.

  He knocks. “Hello!” he says, letting himself in. One golden retriever and two Labs jump up on me as if I’m their long lost best friend. Dereck pushes them down. “Holy cow! Their trainer’s gonna be pissed! Why are they misbehaving? Do you always cause this reaction from animals?”

  I shrug while huge tongues swipe at me. The dogs are whimpering. “Am I upsetting them?”

  “For real, have you ever been around dogs before? See their wagging tails? That’s a happy-to-meet-you thing.”

  “My parents never bought me a pet. And no one I know has them—”

  “They’re here! They’re here!” two little girls scream, running around the corner. “Are you Serenity?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I’m Cali.”

  “I’m Chloe.”

  Is everyone in Dereck’s family gorgeous?

  These sets of hazel eyes are beaming with joy, and they instantly win my heart. Their blond hair is shiny as can be, and they’re sure living up to the reputation of the Hamilton gene pool. I say, “I’ve been so excited to meet you two.”

  Gasp! “You have?”

  “Of course!”

  “Us, too!” They grab my hands. My head jolts backward as they drag me away.

  Behind me, Dereck whines, “Nice to see you, too.”

  “We love you, Dereck,” the girls sing as we keep running.

  We end up in a magnificent living room with high vaulted ceilings. Extravagant French doors are open to a back porch just as grand. The view itself must be worth millions. A tall brunette with the stature of Cher and with strong Indian features comes into view. I now know where David got his looks and how the girls ended up with hazel eyes. The woman appears a little older than Faith but carries herself as formally as the first lady—with a touch of snob to boot. This woman oozes confidence, but her sadness is hard to hide, even when she smiles, welcoming me.

  “This is my dad’s wife, Andrea.” Dereck pronounces her name On-DRAY-uh.

  After introductions, Chloe plants me in a chair on the patio, and Cali climbs into my lap. These little angels appear to be trying so hard to show their proper upbringing but are too excited to stay ladylike—their dresses lift, exposing little panties. Chloe clings to her brother Dereck as he sits with her in his lap. I’m young, I know, but something in my heart pitter-patters with my boyfriend holding a child. Someday my—our—child will cling to him like this. Maybe Dereck feels the same because he studies me holding his sister while he’s grabbing his chest.

  Chloe asks, “How old are you?”

  “Seventeen.”

  “I’m eight. You live with my brother?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m seven.” Cali intertwines my hair between her tiny fingers.

  “You’re not married?” Chloe inquires.

  “Waiting for her to say yes,” Dereck sneaks in with a dirty grin.

  I’ve been thrown under the bus.

  “You don’t want to marry my brother?” Cali’s bottom lip sticks out.

  “Um, yes, but—”

  “Then why don’t you?” Chloe is not much for beating around the bush.

  Dereck smirks, waiting for my reply.

  “Well, see, I’m still in high—”

  “Do you love him?” Cali seems to be hoping for a yes.

  I tap her nose. “With all my heart.”

  Dereck winks at me.

  Chloe peers up at him. “I like her.”

  Cali squeezes me. “Me, too. A lot!”

  Chloe reaches up to Dereck’s face to capture his attention again. He hugs her. “I knew my girls would.”

  Cali gets jealous and leaps from my lap to her brother’s and joins the bear hug. His affection is pure love. He simply loves them. Then the dogs are licking me all over again, so Andrea has the girls drag them away. Dereck asks her, “Where’s my dad?”

  Andrea mumbles as she takes a swig of her martini, “Where else, Dereck?”

  Dereck innocently asks, “Caught up at work?”

  “No, dear. Caught up in another affair.” Vinegar, with a touch of numbness, lingers in her voice. She observes his shocked face. “Don’t you read the tabloids?”

  Dereck’s tone changes. “No, matter of fact, I don’t.”

  My skin begins to crawl. We’re headed into family business that’s not mine. “Should I give you a moment alone to talk?”

  “No, dear. You might as well know what you’re getting into,” she says with sarcasm.

  Please let me out of this conversation!

  Dereck appears dumbfounded. “Andrea, what are you trying to say?”

  She swallows another sip and rolls her eyes. “Only that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, dear.” She keeps saying “dear” as if it were venom.

  “I—I cannot believe you just… insinuated to Serenity that I’m going to be unfaithful.”

  Her brow rises. “Says the product of another of Alex’s affairs?”

  I jolt. No wonder Dereck refers to himself in this manner.

  My eyes become locked on her drink because her similarities with my mother are painful to witness. When drinking—or about to start—Mom becomes distant also.

  Dereck rises from his chair. “Thank you for having us, but we must be leaving.” Seething, he kindly holds a hand out. “Baby Doll?”

  I look up at him in a bit of shock but accept his hand. As we walk away, I glance back to see a tear fall from Andrea’s cheek.

  Dereck promises the little ones that we will take them to the movies to make up for our early departure. They solemnly nod and head to their rooms. I feel awful leaving them behind.

  “I promise,” I tell them. They both look back at me… and smile.

  As Dereck opens the front door, we all jump. David grabs his chest. “Jesus!” Out of breath, he hugs me. “Hey, girl!” He hugs Dereck. “Why are you guys leaving?”

  “Your mom.” Dereck looks away.

  Just then a truck screaming cowboy pulls into the drive with the radio blaring “Save a horse, ride a cowboy.” A young man—practically Dereck’s twin—jumps out of the lifted truck. “Yeehaw!” He runs up and hugs Dereck. “Damn! I missed you, asshole!”

  “I’m sorry. Had my hands full.”

  “I heard.” The younger Dereck gives me a heavy once-over. “Sooo, you’re the… distraction?”

  Speechless, I can’t get over how strong Alexander’s genes are. Two different moms, yet the same beautiful sons. Damn!

  Dereck still seems annoyed with Andrea but says, “Serenity, this is my younger brother, Colt.”

  I put out my hand. “Hi, nice to meet you.”

  Colt pulls me to him. “Families hug, not shake.” After Colt releases me, he peers at Dereck. “Who shit in your Wheaties?”

  David answers, “Mom.”

  “Oh God. Now what’d she do?”

  Dereck’s jaw locks. “Accused me of cheating.”

  The alcohol on David’s breath blows past me with his chu
ckle. “Let me guess. Apple tree lecture?”

  “That’s the one.”

  Colt holds out a fist. “Fist bump. Welcome to the club.”

  Dereck taps fists with Colt as David shrugs. “Let’s get back to the party I just came from. Only two minutes away.” David heads for his car.

  Dereck quietly asks me, “What do you want to do?”

  I aggressively nod. Dereck pulls his keys from his front jean pocket. “We’re not getting in your car, David.”

  Already opening the driver’s door, David asks, “Why?”

  “Dude. You’ve been drinking. Not happening.”

  “Only two cocktails, Goody Two-shoes.”

  Colt jumps in David’s car, confirming the difference between Faith and Andrea’s mothering.

  David pulls away, and Dereck’s truck follows. His hands are gripping his steering wheel, so I ask, “You okay?”

  He hits his steering wheel. “Andrea caught me off guard. The last thing you need is to be worrying about my loyalty.”

  “My world is like living in a constant earthquake, but your loyalty is one thing I don’t doubt.” I pause. “You’re hands down the best person I know, Dereck.”

  Tension eases from his body, then a smile creeps across his face as he turns down another road. “Damn, I love you, girl.” He points at his cheek. I unbuckle and crawl to him but want more than his cheek this time.

  My face tilts in front of his. “Can you see the road?”

  Dereck eagerly nods. My lips lightly caress his, then I open my mouth to deepen the kiss. His breathing intensifies as his silky tongue touches mine, solidifying this erotic moment. As the truck slows, I hear loud music. We’re here. Dereck quickly puts the truck into park and grabs my face.

  “You still upset?”

  With his eyes closed, his hungry lips search for more of mine. “About what?”

  “Great! Let’s go party.”

  “What? But we’re kissing.”

  I reach over his lap for his door handle. David and Colt stand at the driver’s window, laughing at Dereck being left high and dry.

  David opens the door. “What the hell are you doing, Serenity? Easy on my poor brother.”

  He lifts me out of the truck as I ask, “Why? It’s fun.”

  Colt gets out of the way as David puts me down and says, “Never have I seen Dereck like this.”

  Dereck’s mouth is gaping with wet, denied lips.

  David tells Dereck, “Told ya she needs a man. Look at you. Your head is spinning.”

  This house is also on the lake, but it’s much smaller than Dereck’s father’s home. More of a run-down cabin feel. We head down the side of the house toward a dock strung with white Christmas light bulbs. Once we’re in the backyard, someone rushes up to me and swings me around from behind.

  Dereck goes on autopilot/defensive mode. “Hey! What the hell—?”

  The guy sets me down, smiling. It’s Alex and Payton’s new river friend, Steve, we met the day of my birthday gathering.

  Colt seems shocked by Dereck’s actions. “Damn, bro, on edge?”

  Dereck runs his fingers through his hair. “Oh, man, sorry about grabbing your shoulder.”

  “It’s all good. I forgot about that protective vibe.” He gestures around us. “Welcome to my pad.”

  David’s voice booms in the background, “I’m back, bitches!” His friends cheer his return. Then a tray of shots circles around. Colt grabs two. I look at Dereck, who’s grinning. “Have at it, baby.”

  I suck it down, as do David, Colt, and our new river friend. My eyes slam shut as I cough and gag. “That’s disgusting! Why do we drink this?”

  David kisses my cheek. “Young and dumb, darlin’.”

  Colt gulps his next shot.

  “Ohmygod!” Alexandria runs up to us. “Dereck! It’s me, Alex!” Now knowing the true story behind her and her parents, I feel sorry for the pressure they are putting her under to win Dereck over.

  Dereck almost cringes on observing her drunken state. “You all right, Alexandria?”

  Her eyes are glossy as she hangs on him. “You know me. Always ready for a good time.”

  Colt mumbles, “This should get interesting.”

  The new river friend pulls her to him. “That’s right,” he says and gives her a wet, claiming kiss.

  David mumbles, “Very interesting.”

  Alexandria untangles herself from the messy kiss to face Dereck again. “Payton is around here with Lyle somewhere.” She falls into him. I help myself to another shot. I don’t feel so bad for Alex that I easily ignore her behavior.

  David intervenes, grabbing his brother’s elbow. “Hey, Dereck, let’s go inside and play some quarters.”

  Dereck shakes his head. “Not drinking.” Then he points at me. “Precious cargo.”

  Alex peers over her shoulder, and her smile makes a quick exit. “Yeah. Serenity is here.”

  David gently nudges Alex toward her guy. “You, over here.” He turns to me and laughs when he sees Dereck already has me pressed to his side. “Oh, good. All is well. Let’s party.” And he leads us away.

  After being convinced that I, Dereck’s “precious” cargo, can sleep fine in the truck—along with his brothers, because Dereck won’t let them drive either after more alcohol consumption—we find ourselves inside the cabin, playing quarters. This causes more laughter at my expense. Never have I played this game, and after another shot—because apparently I suck at it—I look at Dereck. “These mini drinks don’t burn going down anymore.”

  “This is not always a good thing.” He pours some fruity drink in my shot glass instead of more tequila. He’s booed by other game players for his rule bending. “My Shorty is done with tequila shots. It’s her third time drinking, ever. She’s a bit of a lightweight. And, she never had dinner.”

  “She’s gonna puke,” Colt says.

  “That’s right!” David suddenly remembers. “Mom jacked up dinner!” He gets on his cell. “Yeah, I need twenty—no—make that thirty pizzas delivered to…”

  Later, after the best pizza in the world, according to the alcohol brain, we end up on the dock, along with a bunch of other people, dancing. It takes me a minute to recognize who’s smiling in my face. My eyes focus. My drunk arms fly around her. “Payton!”

  Payton’s glowing as Dereck hugs us both. She sounds older and wiser. “I love college! I love my life. I found one, ya know?” Payton is no longer in Alex’s shadow.

  Dereck gives a long kiss to the top of her head. “Damn, girl. You look so good.”

  “And I feel even better.”

  Lyle, her new river friend, joins us. He seems different from Alex’s guy. He watches Payton as though she’s a treasure. She’s going to marry this guy.

  Dereck shakes his hand. “Hey, Lyle. How are ya?”

  “Madly in love with your friend. Sorry I took her from the Crew.”

  Payton wraps her arms around his waist and has become The Swan.

  With obvious sincerity, Dereck replies, “No, don’t be. She looks so happy—I can’t tell you what this means to us. In fact”—he gets next to them for a selfie—“everyone needs to see this.” Payton and Lyle happily pose while I give a cheesy-drunk smile toward Dereck’s cell.

  After the pic, Payton hugs Dereck. “You always got me, didn’t you, my friend?”

  “And I always knew you deserved this.”

  I slur, “Don’t forget to send us an invitation to the wedding.” They both gasp and look at each other. I start babbling. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know where that came from.”

  Payton’s eyes water. “It happened last night. We just didn’t want to tell anyone yet. How’d you know?”

  “Uhhhh…”

  I try an
d try but Dereck refuses to dance with me, so I’ve been stuck dancing with someone drunker than me: Alexandria. I’ve recently consumed more shots because of, well, Alexandria. But when a slow song comes on, I leave her and pout with all I’ve got. Reluctantly grinning, Dereck finally joins me. Our bodies sway together, and then it dawns on me that this is our very first dance. And wouldn’t ya know it? Destiny is singing “Tin and His Skin.” I’m not sure if others hear what is beautifully flowing into my ears, but her voice is overlapping itself, as if she has sung this song many times and a recording studio engineer has rolled every meaningful performance into one.

  When I look into his eyes

  I see and feel a window to the skies

  His strong arms hold me close

  He shelters me with this home and his soul

  Every caress stirs me inside

  Reminding me there’s no reason to hide

  When rain falls against our doors

  This man knows what I need most…

  Suddenly, the one holding me becomes even more precious, and I’m again reminded of his everlasting worth. My skin sizzles in this moment that will stay with me forever, the alcohol intensifying an already precious moment. “Dereck, kiss me.”

  He leans down with an embarrassed smile and pecks me.

  “No, baby. That. Just. Won’t. Do. Dereck. This is our first dance.”

  Recognition quickly crosses his face. His soft lips touch mine.

  So tenderly, we get whisked away in the personal, meaningful moment. The kiss I wanted is now mine. It will go down as one of the most romantic affections of my life.

  Destiny sings in the background…

  With this tin roof covering our bed

  Rain falls, echoing in my head

  Tin and his skin, gives my heart, courage to… fly

  I’m hoping for that rain and a tin roof all of my own.

  “Get a room!” Colt shouts.

  Face to face, Dereck and I start smirking. He leans his forehead to mine. “Busted.”