Sunset Summer: Love on Summer Break Book 2 by Stephanie J. Scott

Author:Stephanie J. Scott [Scott, Stephanie J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stephanie J. Scott
Published: 2021-05-18T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

FINALLY, IT WAS OVER.

We left the courtroom for the hall where the air came at me a hundred degrees cooler.

“You did well, Holli.” Miranda’s practiced smile told me she’d played the part enough times at making people feel better.

I’d almost blown it. I’d frozen in front of the judge. In the end, I’d done what I was told. The version of the truth they all knew worked best for everyone. Grace had her own allotted community service hours for the Minor in Possession violation. Fewer hours than me.

“Let’s have lunch,” Mom said in a false bright voice. Then again, she’d been chugging courthouse coffee all morning. “I’ll call ahead for a table.”

Dad started listing places to eat. Grace already had her phone out to ignore everyone. My grandparents chattered to each other. As if all our problems could stay behind after the courtroom doors closed.

Neither Miranda nor the judge pressed for an alcohol prevention program for Grace. Our “supportive family” proved to be enough so intervention wouldn’t be required. Instead, the judge issued a stern warning to Grace, assigned her community service, and told her good luck in college.

College. The college Grace didn’t plan to go to. Nobody knew that either. Yet another secret I kept for Grace.

All of us headed outside to the parking lot but stopped again outside the doors as my parents discussed more lunch options.

Grandma came up beside me and placed a hand at my shoulder. “You did well, Holliday. I’m sure this was overwhelming.”

I sank into her arms. A flood of emotion hit. I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time, though neither of those reactions felt right.

“Grace,” Grandma called over to my sister. “I’d like you to work with Holliday, at home with us. I think it would be best for you to get away from here for a bit. Spend some time with your sister and get fresh air by the lake.”

Grace’s expression flicked from bored to disgust. “No way. I’m not wasting my summer in Deer Crap Cove.”

Dad looked up from his own phone where he’d been reserving a table on an online app. “The girls should be home—our home. Now that everything is settled, we can take it from here.”

Grandpop shook his head. “I don’t think moving Holli back so soon is the right idea. She made friends back with us. She has a set schedule at the community center.”

“Like the attorney said,” Grandma added, “the teen group can add to those hours since they’re doing projects and not just hanging out wasting their summer.” She pointed a steely look at my sister.

“I’m sure Holli would rather be here.” Mom looked at me to agree.

Home didn’t feel like home right now. Home was where I lied. Every day seeing Grace and my parents would remind me of those lies.

But the team existed here. I didn’t train nearly as hard in Deer Cove to keep up my pace. Meets this fall would be a disaster unless I got my act together.

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