Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
They haven’t sent any sleazy lawyers with fat bribery checks lately. Have they given up on that angle?
A horn honks and a moment later, the familiar white Volkswagen Beetle eases up my lengthy driveway. All thoughts of Wolf vanish from my mind.
I squeal as I scurry down the stairs and rush to the yellow single-wide trailer in anticipation. Even though we text regularly, I haven’t seen Rebel and Skye since they left for school in August. I’ve missed them terribly.
“We’re here!” Rebel launches herself at me the second she gets out of the driver’s seat, roping her toned arms around my neck in a tight grip.
I inhale the familiar citrusy scent of her black hair, now cut short in a pixie style. “What are you doing here so early?” I wasn’t expecting them until dinnertime.
“We were all packed, so we said ‘Fuck it’ and left last night to avoid the traffic.”
Skye climbs out of the passenger seat and stretches her arms over her head, showing off her toned stomach. “If I never eat at another Burger King, it’ll be too soon.”
“I see that.” I nod toward the empty food wrappers that spilled out with her, the last remaining fries scattering over the dirt, drawing the hens and Ralph in.
She rounds the car for an equally affectionate hug.
“How were your exams?” I ask, clinging a beat too long.
“Ugh, awful.” She groans dramatically. “But they’re done, and I passed and that’s all that matters.”
“Your hair has gotten long.” I emphasize my point with a tug of her corn-silk blond braid.
“And it’s about to blow up like a puffball in this humidity.”
“An adorable puffball.” My heart swells as I listen to Skye’s Southern twang. She comes by it honestly, having grown up in rural Georgia.
Of all the seasonal staffers who have lived here throughout the years, I’ve always felt a special connection to Skye. I think it’s because, like me, she lost her mother to ovarian cancer at an early age and never knew her father. Whatever the reason, she’s always felt like a little sister.
“Whatever. I don’t care because this feels like coming home.” Her blue eyes are alight with thrill as they skim over “Rainbow Alley,” as Gigi affectionately named the row of mobile homes nestled between two lines of big, gnarly trees. Each is painted and meticulously decorated —a passion of Gigi’s in the quiet winter months. The yellow one that the girls occupy is the nicest by far, with turquoise shutters and a pineapple theme interior. Hence the name: Pineapple Express. There’s also the purple Palmy Daze trailer, the green and pink Monstera Hut, and a teal blue Dolphin Around trailer. The only one not painted is Frank’s silver Airstream, but he has surrounded it with surfboards and tiki torches to give it some flair.
“Frank just put a brand-new air-conditioning unit in there last week. It cools down fast now.”
“Oh, great. No more sweating at night.” She shudders for effect. “Anyone else here yet?”
I falter. “You’re the first!” Dave and Ted were supposed to move into Palmy Daze on Saturday. I’m still not over the shock of that betrayal, but I don’t want to ruin this reunion by sharing the news yet.
“Ralph! My big boy!” Rebel exclaims. “Stop playing so hard to get.” The rooster runs at surprising speeds in the opposite direction as Rebel chases, earning our laughter.
“Okay, your place is all set. I’ll help you unload so you can get some sleep.” The back of their car is packed to the roof with their belongings and, knowing Skye, she has Red Bull coursing through her veins.
“Ugh, that’d be great. But first?” She grins with childish mischief.
I smile and toss an arm around her shoulder as we head toward the sandy shore.
37. Ronan
Afemale screeches, the sound quickly followed by a splash.
I lean over the railing of the rooftop deck to the pool below, where Connor and four local Wolf staffers lounge. Fucking guy. One shift and they’re flocking to him.
But I don’t know what I’d do without him. I’d be lonely in this giant house, that’s for sure.
“You comin’ down?” Connor hollers, his deep voice carrying through the peaceful neighborhood. Two-thirds of the houses are empty, waiting for summer visitors.
“Enjoying the view.”
“What view? It’s dark!”
I chuckle. The sun may be long gone, but the salty sea air is balmy, and the roar of the nearby ocean is palpable.
“Come on. We’re playing Marco Polo.”
“Pass.” Connor’s version involves losing articles of clothing, and two of those girls work in administration, which means they inevitably report to me. “Keep the glass away from the pool.”
“Aye-aye, boss,” he mocks.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I dig it out to check the screen and smile as I answer. “What took you so long?” I texted Abbi twenty minutes ago to tell her I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing here.