Page 35 of Rock Hard
Chapter Fourteen
“Idon’t remember goinganywhere like this as a kid.” Johnny readjusted his sunglasses, looking around the open air, stately interior of the resort.
“That’s because we weren’t geniuses like Carly.” Unmistakable pride tinged Alice’s voice. “This is the kind of thing that happens when you reach the upper echelon of high school academia. These kids are the rock stars of the scientific future.”
Dozens of high school age kids moved through the breezeways, laughing and talking. Some were in bathing suits and heading toward the pool area. Others, dressed more conservatively, were gravitating toward some of the conference rooms. Carly wasn’t among either group, but Alice wasn’t surprised. Though brilliant, Carly was a social introvert when it came to dealing with kids her own age.
“Are you sure she’s here?” Johnny asked.
“Positive. Carly wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
The well-dressed gentleman at the reservation desk offered a polite smile of regret when they approached. “If you were hoping for a room, I’m afraid we are completely booked.”
Alice offered a polite, friendly smile in return. “We are a bit late in arriving. I believe our daughter has already secured a suite.”
“Her name?”
“Carly. Carly Løve.”
The man tapped a few times on the touch-screen before him and smiled. “So she has. The VIP suite in the North Wing. Welcome.” He snapped his fingers for assistance and a young bellhop appeared out of the shadows.
The young man led them out of the lobby. The furtive glances he gave Johnny along the way suggested he recognized, or at least suspected, who he was. That theory was confirmed when they reached the suite.
“I’m a huge fan,” the bellhop said reverently.
Johnny flashed his megawatt smile and slipped a hundred-dollar bill into his hand. “I appreciate that. But let’s keep it our secret, shall we?”
“Yes, sir!”
Alice was chuckling as they stepped inside. A quick look around the posh suite revealed Carly’s things, but not the girl herself. Johnny found a schedule of events left out and showed it to Alice.
“Knowing Carly, she’s soaking in everything she can, probably from the shadows,” Alice said.
“What now?”
“I think we should stay here and keep things as low key as possible until Carly returns.”
“Agreed, as long as we can order room service.” Johnny picked up the remote and stretched out on the sofa with a feline arch.
“You just ate on the plane!”
“I’m a panther. I eat a lot.”
Her lips quirked. “I thought panthers were sneaky.”
“That, too. We’re sneaky,andwe eat a lot.”
They didn’t have too long to wait. Carly came in about an hour later, squealing when she saw them. “What are you guys doing here?”
“You didn’t think we’d miss the finals, did you?” Alice returned Carly’s fierce hug with one of her own then pinned her with a stern look. “Even if you didn’t see fit to tell us.”
“I was afraid you’d tell me not to come. You know, after you took me back last time.”
A fresh wave of guilt washed over Alice. “I’m sorry about that, kiddo.”
Carly nodded, her expression one of a much older soul. “I know, and I get it. I’m just glad you’re here.”
“You didn’t tell your dad where you were going though, did you?”
