November Foxtrot (Rhythm of the Heart Book 2) by Scarlett Jade Read Free Book Online Page A

in a minute. Let's go. We're gonna find her. We're goin' commando. Ain't that what you kids say?”
    Zoe giggled. “Commando?”
    Grams nodded, slipping her house shoes on. “You know, undercover. Commando.” She picked up a broom beside the door and Zoe's eyes widened.
    “Let me get my shoes, Grams.” Moving quickly, she pulled her sneakers on.
    Grams still stood by the door, palming the broom quietly. “We're kinda like Thelma and Louise, ain't we?”
    Zoe smiled. “Sort of.” She followed Grams out to the old truck and crawled in the passenger seat before buckling her seat belt. “Any idea where she could be?”
    Grams shook her head. “Ain't too many places to be in this town. She's messing around with some boy I think, bein' real quiet like about it.”
    “Any idea who?”
    “I have my suspicions, and if it's so, I'm gonna tan his hide.”
    “Oh?” Zoe's eyebrow rose as they rumbled down the street. “Who?”
    “I got a sneaking suspicion it's a friend of Calvin's.”
    Zoe ran through his friends in her mind. All of them were way too old to be messing with a 17 year old girl. “Oh, man.”
    “Mmhm. I can't prove it, but I'd like to bust his ass, if I can.” Silence stretched between them. “Think she'd be at the beach?”
    Zoe shook her head. “You know, we could try calling, Grams...”
    “What? And tip her off to our commando mission? No indeedy, feed the needy!”
    Zoe stifled a giggle in her hand. “Well what do you have planned?”
    Grams tapped a grizzled finger against her lips. “Well, we could scope the beach.”
    “Okay. I don't see many kids out there in November, but I could be wrong. They could have a bonfire.” Zoe shrugged. The scent of salt air tickled her nose and she breathed deep. “Mmm… I missed that smell.”
    “Nothing like it in Colorado, huh?”
    “No. Thanks for inviting me to come home for Thanksgiving, Grams.”
    “Of course, girl. Let's keep our eyes peeled.”
    “Oh, I have an idea, Grams... I could text Tim and see if he could look out too.”
    “Mmm, I'd rather you didn't.” Her mouth pursed and Zoe looked at her curiously.
    “Why not?”
    “Cause I think that's the one she's messing with.”
    Zoe sat back in the seat and blew out a breath. “Oh, shit.”
    “You're telling me. That boy better hope he behaves. Not that we would put him up on charges, but it would be a hot mess for him. Layla is headstrong as hell, but we don't need that mess right now. She thinks she's grown, but she ain't.” Grams sighed. “I was seventeen when I married Pops, but times were different then, Zoe. I – I just feel like I can't fail her.”
    Zoe groaned. “I never thought... Layla and Tim? Wow.”
    Grams chuckled. “Well, most folks would've never said you and Calvin, but here you are, ain't you?”
    “Are we going to drive around town ‘til we find her?” Zoe muttered half an hour later after they had searched the dunes and most of the streets.
    Grams sighed. “No. Text that boy. Tell him if he knows where she is that she better be home at 11:30, or I'll tan his butt.”
    “I can do that!” She pulled her cell from her pocket and shot him a quick text. Moments later he responded.
     
    T: No clue where she's at.
    Z: You sure?
    T: Yeah, I'm damn sure. Why?
    Z: She's mad at me and ran off.
    T: I'll keep my eyes peeled.
    Z: Thanks.
     
    Zoe sighed. “He says he has no idea, Grams.”
    Grams grumbled. “Sure he don't. Fine, let’s go back home. Our commando mission hasn't been a success. But it's good to get out of the house and away from that idiot box. I can't take watching no more episodes of Matlock. Phew.”
    Zoe grinned. “I understand.”
    The next few days passed in quiet. Zoe spent most of her time in bed, watching movies on Calvin's ancient TV and sleeping. Layla studiously avoided her at all costs and Grams and Pops seemed to be sitting on the sidelines, waiting for them to work it out amongst themselves.
    Zoe rolled to her side, bored with the four