Page 98 of Choosing Skyler

“Much better. Now, let’s swim,” Brady says, smiling and taking my hand to pull me toward the water.

We spend the rest of the day swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the late summer weather. I’m excited for this to be my new normal. If there is one thing I miss about Florida, it’s spending days at the beach. Here, I can enjoy that without the drama that came with my old life. Hopefully, we can talk Devon and Tracey into moving here with us next summer. Then, life would really be perfect.

“When can we go surfing?” I ask, turning my head to face Brady on the blanket next to me.

“Surfing is better in the fall when there’s less people on the beach and the waves are a little bigger. The waves are actually best in the winter, but you have to wear a wet suit, so you don’t freeze.” He chuckles.

“Sounds like we’re coming back for fall break, then,” I say, smiling. “You can teach me to surf, and we can spend Thanksgiving here.”

Brady’s smile goes wide, and he raises up on his elbow so he can lean over me. “That sounds perfect. I can’t wait to share everything with you here,” he says, cupping my face and leaning down to kiss me softly.

When he nips my bottom lip, I moan and try to pull him closer, but he pulls back and shakes his head. “Let’s pack up and head home before you get us into trouble.” He smirks.

I giggle and get to my feet to start packing up our beach gear. We get everything loaded into the car and spread the blanket across the seat to sit on since we’re still wearing our wet bathing suits.

I must have dozed off on the ride home, because I’m jolted awake when Brady slams the car to a stop in the driveway without pulling into the opened garage and curses.

“What the fuck?!” He’s glaring at the front door of the house as he puts the car in park.

I follow his gaze and notice the door hanging off its hinges. It looks like it’s been kicked in. Brady tells me to stay in the car and call the police while he inspects the damage and looks for intruders.

“Brady, stop. Wait for the police…” I start but I’m too late—he’s already running towards the house.

I reach for my phone just as his rings from the docking station where he left it. Timothy Mitchell’s name appears on the screen. I swipe to answer the call, but he starts barking orders before I can even offer a greeting.

“Brady, the police are on the way to the house. My security app notified me of a vehicle in my driveway and when I opened the live feed, I saw Eric exiting the truck and heading to your door. It looked like he was attempting to break in, and he had a gun in his hand. Do not go in there until the police arrive,” he says firmly.

My world stops at the thought of someone in Brady’s home,myhome with a gun and ill intentions. I look over at Timothy’s driveway and see an old Dodge pickup in the driveway. That means Eric is still in the house.He wouldn’t shoot his own son, right?I think. But why else would he come here with a gun?

Timothy’s voice comes over the car speakers again. “Brady, did you hear me?”

“H-he’s already in the h-house,” I choke out. “He saw the door hanging off the hinges and told me to stay in the car and call the police. Oh, God. I have to warn him!”

I jump out of the car, leaving the door open and run toward the house.

“Skyler, wait for the police!” I hear Timothy calling from the car speakers, but I can’t just sit here while Brady is in the house with his armed father.

I run into the house, screaming Brady’s name. I run straight through the library and notice the laundry room door open. I rush in and stop cold when I see Brady standing just inside the door with his hands raised in surrender and his shoulders slumped in defeat.

He looks at me over his shoulder. “I told you to stay in the car. Why didn’t you stay in the car?” he says, his voice heavy with emotion.

I look past him and gasp at his father standing in the opposite doorway to the garage with a gun raised, pointing it right at Brady’s chest. Brady steps sideways to block me when Eric’s eyes catch mine.

“Well, looky here,” he sneers. “Youarea pretty thing, aren’t you? Come on over here to Daddy.”

I cringe at the way he says it and shrink behind Brady who’s still blocking the doorway. I grip the back of Brady’s shirt, trying to pull him back.

“Nuh uh,” Eric says. “Let’s go, come on in here, both of you.”

Brady steps forward, keeping me behind him until we’re both inside the laundry room.

“Close the door behind you,” Eric orders.

“Just tell us what you want and get out of here, Eric,” Brady pleads as I shut the door, closing us in. The door behind Eric is still open, but we won’t be able to escape that way since he’s standing in front of it with his gun.

Eric lets out an evil, manic sounding laugh before gripping his gun tighter. “What do Iwant?! I want what should have been mine all along. The house, the money… Hell, I may even take the girl. She’s a little thick for my taste, though. You like a little cushion for the pushin’ huh, son?” he sneers, thrusting his hips vulgarly.

Brady growls and jumps forward, but I wrap my arms around his waist, stopping him. Eric seems unhinged and I don’t want Brady to get hurt. I try to think of a way to stall until the police get here.How long has it been since Timothy called?It seems like forever, but I’m sure it’s only been a couple of minutes. I step around Brady to stand beside him, drawing Eric’s attention to me. It’s the last thing Iwantto do, but I have to get his attention off of Brady.

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