Serenity (Forever Book 1) Read online

  That would be a dream.

  “Hey,” he says. “My mom wants to meet you.”

  “Really?” I’ve never been taken home to meet a mom before. I’m both nervous and excited. “I’ll have to check my busy dating schedule.”

  “Oh yeah? Why do you want some creep when you’ve got me?”

  “How can you be sure he’s a creep?”

  “I’m not sure he even exists, Serenity.” He hesitates. “I know it’s late, but… never mind.”

  His voice makes me crave him. “Dereck?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Will you come see me?”

  “Oh, thank God. On my way.”

  My parents are sleeping, so I wait outside in my driveway. As I’m sitting in the quiet darkness, loneliness creeps in. I stare at my home that’s surrounded by the finest trees nature could offer. This beauty almost makes me forget that the center of this property is a hellhole. I don’t want to feel this way about my home. I really don’t.

  My heart is beating right out of my chest when I see those headlights. Since Wide Acres Lane is a dead-end road, and neighbors are settled for the night, I know it’s him. As I run down the driveway, I think, what am I doing? But when he quietly shuts the door, so as not to wake my parents, then opens his arms, I know. I am running to my drug—my addiction. I leap, wrap my body around him, and hold tight to the one who grounds me, who has for lifetimes.

  “Damn, Baby Doll. You feel so good.”

  “Baby Doll?”

  He moves hair from my face. “Yep, you’re my baby and the size of a doll.”

  “Hmm. Don’t know how my other dates are going to take this.”

  He puts his forehead to mine. “Look into these eyes and ask me if I care what they think.”

  On my feet again, we walk to his truck. He lays down his tailgate then grabs my waist and perches me. I eye him. “I could’ve climbed up myself. I am a big girl, ya know.”

  His hands rest on my knees. “Don’t know about the big part, but I’m begging you to not hold me back from touching you right now.”

  How do I argue with that?

  “My mom can’t wait to meet you.”

  I didn’t know this kind of thing could excite a guy. “And your dad?”

  “Another house.”

  “Oh.”

  Dereck steps between my thighs and hugs me, so I tease, “You miiissed me.”

  He kisses the top of my head. “More than you know.” He backs away. “Sorry. Probably being too intense again.”

  I grab his shirt and pull him back between my legs. “I like intense. Please stay close.”

  His hands hold my thighs. “I don’t think I can deny you anything you ask. Especially with those beautiful, big green eyes asking.”

  “My dad used to say they were too big for my face.”

  Dereck tilts his head. “When did he say this?”

  “When I was three.”

  “Well, you grew into them perfectly. They’re huge but perfect on this face.” Dereck caresses my cheek. “Serenity… we’re doing this, right?”

  I lean into his palm, loving his scent. “What do you mean?”

  “Us. You and me. We’re going for it, right? I’m not one for games. I love playing around with you, but when it comes to how I feel about you, well, there’s no one else I want to be with.”

  Another real moment has presented itself. “I can honestly say I feel like I’ve known you for lifetimes… and I am doing this with you. Whatever it is, it’s with you.”

  An energy click happens—a bridge is crossed. I feel it in my bones. The visions and the memories of past lives have made their way into my awareness for a reason. I now recognize what they were and know Dereck and I are together again. Like so many times before, once the visions have reminded me of this magical bond, the recurring memories are no longer needed.

  Dereck seems at ease with whatever is transpiring between us. He takes a deep breath and holds me. Snuggling me to him, he looks at my dark home with suspicion. “What does your father say about your big green eyes now?”

  I inhale through a sudden ache. “He doesn’t.”

  “Are there other things he doesn’t do for you anymore? Is that why you don’t have a car?”

  My body tenses. How do I answer that?

  “I don’t mean to pry.” He apologizes.

  Staring at my house, I know what he’s thinking. My family is not poor—the addition of a small car would not break the bank. “Would you go for a money-issue excuse?”

  Dereck pulls back to see my face. “I’ll believe whatever you tell me.”

  I can’t lie to him tonight. My face rests on his chest in defeat. We both stare at the dark house again. “My dad… prefers me home… sometimes.”

  Maybe it’s out of pure instinct, but Dereck, holding me tightly, turns my face from the view of my home and to the view of the vast cow pasture across the street. I’m thankful for his actions. I don’t want to look at the home sucking my spirit dry.

  “Dereck?”

  “Serenity?”

  “Thanks for coming to see me.”

  When we pull up to his house, I’m floored. Not what I expected—I assumed his mom was raising him on her own. I assumed his home would look like Jolene’s little duplex that she shares with her mom—a single parent. Not so much. Dereck’s truck is modest compared to this home. It’s two stories like mine but much bigger. The neighborhood alone has some serious cash flow. I haven’t detected money on Dereck as I have with other people. He’s so grounded with earthy values that make him yummy.

  It’s dusk as Dereck escorts me to the house. When he opens one of the front double doors, the aroma of fresh-baked apple pie warms my achy soul. “Mom? We’re here!” We walk into an expansive front living room with high ceilings that go up to the second floor. The stairs along a wall in the middle of the house travel up to the left. To my right is a couch and sitting area. Even though it is big, the inside of this home makes me want to cozy up and sleep for three days. Never before have I been in anyone’s house that makes me feel so at home. The atmosphere is comforting. The earthy colors and décor, as lovely as they are, are not what I’m sensing.

  “Wonderful!” A woman walks around a corner. “Let me see this beauty—” She stops, her eyes searching me. I barely contain a gasp. Her light is utterly gracious. For she is a living rainbow.

  “Mom, this is Serenity. Serenity, this is my mom, Faith.”

  I’m not positive, but her eyes appear to be tearing up. “Serenity.” She says it as though she has missed me deeply. Faith slowly approaches, and as she does, I realize, the warmth I felt when I first entered this amazing place is her. Wonderful chills break out all over me like delicate sizzles. She grabs my shoulders and hugs me in such a manner that I feel as if music should be playing—like in the movies. “It is so nice to see you again.”

  Again?

  She grasps my face and whispers so softly, “Always the green eyes with you two.”

  What?

  “Again? Mom? This is the first time you’ve met Serenity.”

  Faith releases me with a knowing smile. “Silly me. Of course this is our first meeting. Isn’t that right, Ser-en-i-ty?” Her golden-brown eyes sparkle as she winks at me. Brown eyes… Faith turns away and heads back around the corner, her gypsy-brown skirt following, almost as if floating. The brown cloak in my dreams? The silver-chain belt on her womanly hips clings like one on a belly dancer. Her long, golden-brown curls hang as free as her clearly free soul—a soul I want to follow. “I hope you like fish.” Her voice echoes from another room.

  I blink through my shock. “Yes… I do. Thank you.”

  Dereck leads me into a kitchen with tall, dark oak cabinets, an incredible amount of counter sp
ace, and a wraparound bar with stools occupying the same amount of space as my whole living room.

  “I had actually thought I smelled apple pie. It’s my favorite.”

  “I know—” Faith stops. “I mean, really? It’s Dereck’s favorite, too.”

  I shake my head. Should have seen that coming.

  Leaning his back against a counter, Dereck lifts his chin at me. “And how do you feel about vanilla ice cream?”

  “I feel it belongs all over my apple pie.”

  Dereck grabs his chest. “You just stole my heart, girl.”

  Faith grabs a serving dish and walks to a dining area. Ching-ching goes her belt. We’re headed to a beautiful wooden table that could sit ten easily, more if needed. The chairs are of brown cloth, and this grouping sits on a shaggy ivory rug. She sets down the plate of fish then pulls out a chair. “Serenity, you can sit here.” She happily pulls out a chair to my right. “Dereck, you here. And I’ll sit over there across from you and observe.”

  The meal is delicious, and I swallow another incredible bite of vegetables. “Are you a chef?”

  She smiles behind the napkin covering her mouth. “No, but I love to cook. Do you cook?”

  “Only to survive—” My eyes get big, catching myself. I don’t want people to know that my mom doesn’t do things like teach her daughter how to cook, nor does she take time to feed me regularly. Faith is like Dereck, easily teasing out my well-hidden truths. “No, ma’am, I don’t cook like this.”

  Faith’s eyebrows pinch while she briefly hesitates. “Dereck says you and Josh are close?”

  Chewing, I nod.

  She scoops food onto her fork. “He’s a remarkable young man. Dereck has known him for many years because of sports. When did you meet Josh?”

  Just the mention of Josh’s name has me beaming again. I swallow. “Um, I met him the middle of my freshman year, when Jolene transferred from our high school to his.”

  “Jolene. She’s something special, too.” Faith takes a bite.

  Dereck chuckles. “Serenity and Sky call them the Wise Ones.”

  She lifts her napkin to cover her mouth. “Sky?”

  “Yes, Skyler is my best friend. The Wise Ones watch over her and me—well, Josh handles us with his bossy ways, but Jolene has final say. I know the dynamics of the four of us are different, but it works.”

  Faith is paying attention. “Why do you think Jolene is so understanding with Josh being so vigilant with you?”

  “I guess she thinks I need him.”

  “Do you?”

  My stomach tightens. Now I understand what she meant by observing. Like her son, it doesn’t feel right to lie to her. So I don’t. “More than you may ever know.”

  Faith folds her napkin in her lap. “Well, aren’t you a lucky girl to have them?”

  It’s almost as though she keeps putting a mirror in front of me. I’m suddenly acutely aware of what lifelines Josh and Jolene provide. Josh watches over me like a hawk while Jolene steers this ship through murky waters. Is it because they somehow know my parents are failing me?

  Flashes of all the times they have been there, acting as if they didn’t have a hidden agenda, dance in my mind. Josh standing at my sliding-glass door, staring at Dereck and me… They may not know what, but they know something is wrong with my world. I hadn’t thought I was ready to see my reflection, but now I sit up straight in my chair with a sense of pride. I have Sky, the Wise Ones, and now her son. Faith is right. “Yes, yes I am a lucky girl.”

  She smiles as if sensing the breakthrough I just experienced. “How do you like school?”

  “It’s fine, I guess. Sky and I have yet to win Miss Popularity, but we manage. I do hope college is better.” My parents won’t let me go, but a girl can dream. “Josh has me enrolled in classes, working toward my AA. My grades are high.” I roll my eyes. “They could be better according to Joshua.” I inhale. “I don’t know what I want to major in yet.” I pause. “But I think I feel change coming. Do you know what I mean?”

  Her smile radiates knowledge. “I know exactly what you mean.”

  Of course you do. “Faith, where did you used to live?” Did you by chance write the journal that is hidden in my closet?

  Something crosses her face, and her rainbow lights blur and go to a murky brown. She closes her eyes. Her rainbow returns, then her eyes open, no longer glossed over. “Dereck wants to join the Air Force after college.” She says it as though fighting another human—all part of the training to protect our country—is against her religion. I want to ask more questions about where she used to live but don’t pry. I understand not wanting to talk. Faith says, “If the NFL doesn’t pan out, Dereck will be confused, because he’s a frustrated artist.”

  “Mom.”

  I’m shocked. How good is Dereck? “NFL?”

  Faith grins. “Yes, he already has a verbal agreement with UT. He’s holding off on signing, but he needs to stick to music.”

  “Mom!”

  “He wants to fly, but his singing makes me soar.”

  Now I’m completely blown away. I gawk at Dereck. “You sing, too?”

  His jaw is tight. “Mom. Please.”

  Her palms rise. “Okay, okay. I’m done.” Then she mumbles, “You’re just like your father.”

  I understand Dereck wanting to fly; he already has. But this life is different, as each is, I presume. I wonder what or who inspired the need for wings in this lifetime. “Is your dad in the Air Force, too?”

  They stare at me. I shrink in my seat.

  Faith’s face scrunches as her head tilts. “Dereck’s father has some contracts with the Air Force, yes.”

  I sit forward. “That sounds cool. What kind of contracts? He flies for them?”

  Dereck stares at his mom with a stunned expression.

  An incredible smile comes to her face. “Serenity, do you know Dereck’s last name?”

  I search my memory bank. “Oh yes. Sams.”

  Faith shakes her head. “Sams is my last name. My maiden name that I chose to keep.”

  “Oh.” I shrug. “It’s okay for you two to have different last names. Lots do.”

  She dips her chin, smiling too mischievously. “Thank you, Serenity.”

  “So, what’s your last name, Dereck?”

  Dereck takes a hold of my chair and spins it to face him. I lean back, not sure what I’m being prepared for. Sitting forward, Dereck says, “Hamilton. I’m Dereck Hamilton.” He watches me intensely, waiting for my response.

  I timidly shrug. “What’s wrong with that name?”

  Faith slams her hands to the table, causing me to jump. “You are precious!”

  Dereck smiles grandly, shaking his head, sitting back in his chair. “Josh and Jolene. ‘She only knows what she needs to know.’ I wondered what they meant. Now I know.” He quickly sits forward again, taking hold of my face. “I already knew, but it feels good to know, you like me for me.”

  With my face still in his hands, I say, “I’m glad to hear it?” completely perplexed.

  As if unable to contain his excitement, he quickly kisses me—in front of his mother. “Serenity. I am Dereck Hamilton. As in Hamilton Airlines, Hamilton…”

  My jaw would be on the floor if it wasn’t resting in Dereck-freaking-Hamilton’s hands. I’m going to kill Jolene! Then I think of what my dad called him—Prince Charming. My dad knows!

  The Hamiltons are Austin’s Hiltons—a billionaire daddy with kids in and out of the media spotlight for whatever drama is happening at the moment. Basically, they’re famous for being filthy rich. Alexander Hamilton—apparently Dereck’s father—builds planes, owns an airline, sells airliner fuel, and, I just learned, has contracts with the government. I’m flabbergasted. “B-But I’ve never seen you,
or Faith, on TV or in the tabloids.”

  “We’ve been fortunate enough to slip under the media radar.” Releasing my face, he grins at his mom.

  Just like that, my insecurities stand front and center. My heart thunders at my unworthiness. “Dereck, what does this mean for us?”

  “What?”

  “I don’t have that kind of money. You should be with someone of your own… Wow, I didn’t see this coming. Why do you go to a public school? D-Do I need to go home?”

  Dereck laughs at my meltdown.

  Faith walks around the table. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She kisses the top of my head. “Dereck, I absolutely love her. Always so kind.”

  Always so—what? I may faint.

  Faith leaves the dining room as Dereck says, “You are so beautiful, inside and out.”

  I pull a Josh and point. “Oh no you don’t. That… that sweet talk of yours… No!”

  But Dereck keeps smiling. “Come ’ere.” He pulls me from my chair and sits me on his lap.

  I peck his cheek.

  “What was that for?”

  I sulk. “Wanted one last kiss before you send my poor ass home.”

  Dereck bursts out laughing. “Last kiss? Lost. Your. Mind. Okay, first things first. No, please don’t go home, and no, you don’t have to match my bank account. Money means nothing when it comes to who I date or who I lose my heart to. I want to be normal so bad that I chose to go to a public school, once I got older and learned who I was. And as for football, by no means does it change us, even if I become the most valuable and well-known member of the team. Serenity, it’s still me. I just have a little more cash in my pocket than most teenagers, that’s it. Please don’t see me any differently now. Haven’t you ever wanted someone to see you and not other things going on in your life? Haven’t you ever wanted not to be judged for things out of your control?”

  It all makes sense now—why he loves Jolene and Josh. They don’t care about his last name. Not once have they bragged about being best friends with a kid from a famous family. The Wise Ones treat Dereck as they treat me—with love and respect for who I am on the inside, not for our wacky families or money. I understand Dereck because I feel the same. I don’t want him to see my parents and assume I’m the same hot mess.