Dead For Good Book 1 by Stacy Claflin & Nolon King

Author:Stacy Claflin & Nolon King [Claflin, Stacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sterling & Stone
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Brad sat with his eggs at the quiet table. Hadley pushed her food around her plate while Zeke ate like he was starving. Faye paced the room, glancing at their eldest every three seconds.

After a few bites, Brad cleared his throat and looked at Hadley. “Did you join an MLM and not tell us?”

“What?”

“That hoodie in your room.”

Her face paled. “It’s not like that.”

“What, then?”

“It … It’s my boyfriend’s.”

He scratched his chin. “Since when do you have a boyfriend?”

“Ugh, really?”

“I’m serious.”

Faye inched closer to the table, her hands wringing together.

Hadley looked at her. “Mom, help me out.”

“I’m not sure who your boyfriend is, either.”

“Maverick. Ring any bells?”

Brad tried to remember. It sounded vaguely familiar. “From your play?”

She shook her head. “You were reading my private texts.”

“Are you talking about the texts that showed up on your screen when you left your phone in the middle of the living room?”

“Yes.” She glared at him. “Those were private.”

“Not when we pay for the phone.”

“As I explained to you then, Maverick is my boyfriend. I have to get to school before I’m late.” She hurried out of the room without another word.

Brad exchanged a concerned glance with Faye.

Zeke scooted back. “You’re seriously going to let her get away with not putting her plate away two meals in a row? If I start acting like her, can I do that, too?”

Brad gave him a warning glance.

“Fine.” Zeke tossed his plate into the sink with more force than necessary and stomped up the stairs.

“Why’s everyone in a bad mood?” Luna asked.

“Because they’re teenagers.” Brad rose and put his dishes away.

Faye caught up with him as he was heading to his office. “Do you believe Hadley?”

“About Derrick?”

“Maverick.”

“Whatever. It’s such a pretentious name. But it’s just like I told you — she’s seeing some kid from school. And I apparently already knew about him. I suppose you’re going to tell me I’m parent of the year.”

“I’m worried about her.” Faye grabbed his arm.

“Teenage girls are moody. I’d be worried if she wasn’t being difficult.”

“What if she’s hiding something?”

Brad glanced at his watch. “Like what?”

“That sweatshirt is Duke’s.” She looked around and lowered her voice. “What if something happened, and she killed him?”

The words felt like a punch to the throat. “What?”

“Think about it.”

“She told us the shirt doesn’t belong to Duke.”

“And you believe her?”

“It’s Maverick’s sweatshirt. Why would she have Duke’s when she has a boyfriend?”

Faye’s eyes narrowed. “She’s lying about Maverick. If Duke hurt her—”

“I’d have killed him myself.” Anger surged through him.

“Don’t say that around anyone else!”

“Obviously. You’re making too much of the shirt. Our little girl wouldn’t get involved with that loser. I made it clear that I didn’t want any of us talking to him.”

“And teenagers are so good following parental direction.”

Brad took several measured breaths. The thought of Duke even looking at his daughter was enough to boil his blood. The thought of that man-child’s hands on her made him want to put his fist through a wall. Or Duke’s face, but it was too late for that.

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