Chapter 666: 15:00
Sunday, March 12th, Afternoon
(River Court)
The three friends parked next to Ellie's car at the River Court. They exited Avril's car and walked across the wind-swept basketball court to where Ellie was standing. Brett noticed Ellie was playing with something.
The three young women came up to Ellie. All four were about the same height, with Avril standing the tallest. They all looked at each other, and several had hair whipping around in the wind. Brett stepped forward and locked eyes with Ellie.
"You wanted to ask me a favor?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah, we do," Brett said.
Ellie nodded, "What do you need?" she asked.
"Straight to the point, I see," Brett said.
"I've been fucked around enough today, so let's get to it," Ellie said.
"Okay, straight to business then," Brett said.
"So, what do you need?" Ellie asked.
"We're throwing a victory party tonight, and we need to get some refreshments," Brett said.
"So, you need someone over twenty-one," Ellie said.
"Yes," Brett said.
"So, you thought of me," Ellie said.
"Yes," Brett said.
"I could get arrested for this," Ellie said.
"I know," Brett said.
"Where is the party?" Ellie asked.
"Deb Lee's beach house," Brett said.
"Hmm, how did you manage that?" Ellie asked.
"I asked," Brett said. Ellie nodded. Brett looked at Ellie and got downcast. "Okay," Brett said.
"Relax, I'll do it," Ellie said.
"Okay," Brett said, "Bay."
Baylee stepped forward and handed Ellie the money.
"What do you need?" Ellie asked.
"The usual," Brett said.
Ellie nodded, "I'll see you later then," she said and walked away.
(Raven Hill)
Sawyer and Keni wrestled Lucas into submission to take them to Raven Hill. It found them in the veteran SUV with Lucas driving. There is an eerie silence in the SUV as it chugged along the lonely road.
Lucas looked into the rearview mirror at the two silent girls.
"Sawyer," Lucas said.
"Yes, Dad?" Sawyer replied.
"What happened between you and Gareth?" Lucas asked.
"Nothing," Sawyer said.
"Sawyer," Lucas said.
"Dad," Sawyer said.
"Uncle Lucas, she doesn't want to talk about it," Keni said.
"Are you sure?" Lucas asked.
"Yes," Sawyer and Keni said yes. Lucas nodded and drove the rest of the way to Raven Hill. Once in the driveway, Keni and Sawyer jumped out of the SUV. Lucas shook his head and slowly headed towards the house.
Sawyer and Keni raced through the kitchen; they both said, "Hi, Aunt Haley," and kept going. The two teenagers bounded upstairs and burst through one of the bedroom doors.
Sawyer bounced on the bed, and on the rebound, she ended up in a sitting position. Keni took a seat on the other side of the bed.
"Sassy, Keni, why are you here? It's Sunday," Lydia "LK," Scott said.
"We're kidnapping you and taking you to a party," Keni said.
"A party, there can't be a party; it's Sunday," LK said.
"LK, it's a party to celebrate the state championship, and I want my two best girls there," Sawyer said.
"But it's Sunday, Sassy," LK said.
"We can do this, LK," Sawyer said.
"I'm not so sure," LK said.
"It's us, LK," Sawyer said, "The three of us."
LK looked at Sawyer and then Keni. "Okay, Sassy," LK said.
Sawyer smiled, "Good came with me," she said as LK closed her book.
(Colebury Mill Outlet Mall)
With a smile, Alix reflected that Tucker kept his word. In a concession, they got into his car; it was nicer, newer, and in better shape than her car. Tucker let Alix drive as they left Beaulieu, and she knew where they were going.
Tucker fiddled with the radio as she drove. He looked out the window and finally at her.
"Where are we going?" Tucker asked.
"Nowhere with food or drinks," Alix said.
"Why?" Tucker asked, almost a whine.
"Because I'm having dinner with Opa tonight, and I don't want to ruin it," Alix said.
"Is that why you're not staying tonight?" Tucker asked.
"Well, one, I do live with him, and two, we've not talked more about living together," Alix said.
"That's because you don't want to live in Beaulieu," Tucker said.
"Sorry, do you want to live under my Opa's roof?" Alix asked.
"No," Tucker said.
"I don't want to live under your mom's roof," Alix said.
"We're hardly home enough to have a place," Tucker said.
"I'd love to live with you, but I want us to be on our own, standing on our feet," Alix said.
"Alix, why are we at the outlets?" Tucker asked.
"I don't know, I need to replace some worn-out clothes; also, don't change the subject," Alix said.
"Well, I just don't think it's a good idea with us away all the time," Tucker said.
"If we don't get traction playing, I'm going to look for other things," Alix said.
"You sure?" Tucker asked.
Alix nodded, "Yeah," she said and headed out. Tucker looked at the store Alix was heading toward., Tucker noted the sign that said Aerie on it.
"Is that where we're going?" Tucker asked.
Alix smiled, winked at Tucker, and turned towards the store.
(Beaulieu Manor)
In a quiet corner of the East Range, Brooke found Grant. She looked him over as Grant studied his phone. Brooke took a seat across from Grant. Grant looked up at Brooke.
"Hi, Brooke," Grant said.
"Hi, Grant; how are you?" Brooke asked.
"I'm good, just checking in for my flight," Grant said.
"Are you excited about returning home?" Brooke asked.
Grant shrugged, "Yeah, I guess I have to return to work," he said.
Brooke nodded, "I hope we haven't scared you off," she said.
Grant looked at Brooke. "Why would you think that?" he asked.
"We all can be a lot," Brooke said.
Grant nodded, "You could say that; I could see where Fallon gets it," he said.
"Fallon's a great woman, just she's, as you might've figured out, worried about people using her for her money," Brooke said.
"You're right; I did figure that out," Grant said.
"We've tried to talk to her about it, but she falls back on old habits," Brooke said.
"So, what are you saying?" Grant asked.
"Fallon is absolutely mad about you; she never brings anyone here, we usually meet them when we do in New York, and rarely if ever does she introduce anyone to Keni," Brooke said.
"If so, what do I do?" Grant asked.
"If you're series, show Fallon you're in it just for her, and nothing else. Fallon is a romantic at heart," Brooke said.
"Why are you telling me this?" Grant asked.
Brooke smiled, then shrugged, "I guess I want all my children happy," she said, and Grant nodded.