Making Waves by Nicole Leigh Shepherd

Author:Nicole Leigh Shepherd [Shepherd, Nicole Leigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101561829
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-04-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Clang.

My mother’s long blonde hair tickles my shoulder as she sets a dish down in front of me. The aroma of fresh-from-the-oven turkey breast and double-baked potato rises from the steamy plate.

I’ve spent the last few weeks guarding the beach with Katie, listening to Jason’s grumblings as I fill orders at the snack bar, and training with Brody nearly every night after work. At this point, I’m famished.

“Dinner looks awesome,” I say, reaching for the gravy bowl. I smile widely, hoping that a cheery exterior can mask my big deceit.

I’m still torn about whether I should tell my parents about training with Brody. He was right. It has really been helpful. And, at my insistence, totally platonic.

But I don’t think my family would understand why I need the additional insider assistance. It’d be impossible for them to accept that my technique—unlike Lexi’s and some other guards from the club—is at a disadvantage because I haven’t trained with Olympic medalists. They’d probably just laugh at me and tell me to practice some more at our local rec center.

But I can’t just do some laps and be all set. I’m desperate for the scholarship and someone needs to show that Lexi girl what’s up. I don’t care that she probably only won during that conditioning session because she cheated; I can’t risk it happening again.

“Thanks,” my mom says, setting another dish at the head of the table in front of my father. “You let me know when you’re ready and I’ll show you how to make the turkey.”

“As soon as Frankie joins me for the cooking lesson,” I say, pointing at my younger brother’s empty seat. “Where is Frankie?”

“Frankie! Dinnertime!” my dad bellows down our short hallway.

As I pour the brown gravy over my turkey, my mom takes her seat across from my father and between Alex and me.

“So, Alex, I heard wonderful news. Is it true that the police department might be hiring next year?” My mom beams as she reaches for the gravy. “That would be just in time for graduation.”

My middle brother, Alex, looks up from shoveling potatoes into his mouth. After his recent buzz cut, his blue eyes are particularly prominent, matching his police academy cadet uniform. “We’ll see. Not getting my hopes up especially with all the recent layoffs.”

My dad shakes out a cloth napkin and shoves it into the top of his starched white shirt. “Times are tough, son.”

“And that’s exactly why I’m starting my landscaping business after graduation. No way am I risking my life on the streets just to have the state lay me off.” My youngest brother pulls out the chair next to me. His wild curly hair is extra poofy today.

“Nice of you to finally join us, Frankie,” my dad says curtly.

Ever since Frankie grew out his hair and announced his plans to cut lawns for a living instead of joining the academy, my dad hasn’t exactly been pleased with his youngest son.

The static of the scanner cuts in. Four. Seven. Eight.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.