Chapter 1844

The sea breeze at the docks was strong.

Debra didn't care. She sat casually on the beach.

While grabbing a drink, Drake got her an orange soda.

The wind messed up her hair. Her profile was perfect. No wonder Marion Houston fell for her at first sight.

Drake chugged his beer. Debra eyed his can, curious and eager.

"Wanna try?" He held it out, only to yank it back as she reached for it. "Girls shouldn't drink."

She pouted. "I've never had alcohol."

"Andrew doesn't let you?"

"Yeah."

"Control freak."

"Not really. He just cares about my health. My parents and he dote on me, but they treat me like a kid. I'm in college now. I can take care of myself, and I wanna do grown-up stuff." Read complete version only at find•novel.net

"Grown-up stuff? Didn't peg you for a rebel."

"It's not that wild. Just like traveling alone, trying beer, hitting a club, or singing all night."

"Oh."

"What did you think?"

"That's nothing. If you want, I can take you now."

"But those places are sketchy, aren't they?"

"Scared? And you wanna be an adult?" He stood up. "The adult world isn't as great as you think. Go home and sleep. It's not for you."

"Hey, don't leave." Debra grabbed his sleeve.

Drake tried to tug free. "Let go."

"Nope."

"Playing coy won't work."

"If you leave, I'm stuck here."

He rubbed his forehead. "Get up. I'll take you back."

"Okay." She scrambled up.

Drake glanced at her feet covered in sand and then at her sneakers in her hand.

He crouched. "Hop on."

Debra stared at his back, surprised.

"What, you want me to carry you instead?" he teased.

She shook her head and climbed onto his back. She was light, barely heavier than a bag of cement.

He carried her toward the exit, where the motorcycle waited.

Holding her shoes, she asked, "Why're you so fearless? I'm 18, and I'm still scared of everything."

"When you've lain with the dead, nothing scares you," Drake said flatly.

"You've done that?"

"No."

"Then how do you know?"

"I've rummaged through them for food."

She froze, and he continued, "Enjoy your good life while you can."

Debra wanted to shut up, but she couldn't resist it. "Why did you do that? There's no such thing in Seamar City."