What Lies in the Darkness (Shadow Cove Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

other people around. That’s what skating does for me. It gives me a break from the crazy reality that is my life.
    Eventually, I start to slow things down and focus on practicing my 540 McTwist, my favorite trick to do in competitions. By the time I’m finished, I’m exhausted, thirsty, sweaty, and completely content.
    The second the wheels stop spinning, reality catches up with me as Dixon strides up, looking way too happy. And a happy Dixon is never a good thing.
    “Looking good out there, Mak.” He stops in front of me, practically bouncing with happiness. “Too bad your mom doesn’t seem to think so.”
    My comeback dies on my tongue. “What?”
    His grin broadens as he gives a chin nod in the direction of the picnic tables where my mom is standing with her hands on her hips and her lips pursed. She has her scrubs on, her brown hair is pulled into a messy bun, and she looks super irritated.
    Dixon laughs at the sight of my scared expression. “Maybe I should go ask her what she charges an hour. I mean, she’s a little on the old side, but she does have that whole naughty nurse thing going on.”
    Gritting my teeth, I skate by him, purposefully slamming my shoulder into his. When he trips sideways from the impact, I get a morbidly sick sense of gratification. But the feeling dissipates the closer I get to my mom and her death glare.
    I rewind through everything I’ve done today, trying to figure out what has her looking like her panties are all wadded in a bunch. The only reason I can come up with is because I’m here, skating. She’s never been a fan but didn’t verbalize her dislike very much until after my dad disappeared. It was like she was holding back for his sake then decided, since he is gone, she doesn’t give a shit anymore.
    “Hey, what’re you doing here?” I ask, grinding to a stop. “I thought you were working until midnight.”
    “I got off early.” Her gaze skims the ramps behind me, and then her eyes land on me. Up close, I can see the red rimming her eyes, evidence that she’s been crying. “I don’t know how you can stand this place. It’s so noisy and rowdy.”
    “It’s not that bad.” I pop the skateboard up, tuck it under my arm, and offer her a joking smile, trying to lighten her mood. “It doesn’t feel as rowdy when you’re part of the rowdiness.”
    She rolls her eyes. “There’s so much better stuff to do with your time. You’re a smart girl; why can’t you start focusing on school more?”
    “I’m not that smart.” I glance around for my friends and spot them lounging on the hood of my car, slurping on sodas and laughing about something. “Ev’s the smart one.”
    “You could be as smart as Ev if you tried harder, but you don’t try at all. That’s your problem.”
    Over the last year or so, my mom has gotten more and more testy toward me. Sometimes, she gets angry for no evident reason. I have a feeling it has to do with losing her husband and son over the course of a year. Whatever the reason, I’ve learned that remaining silent is always the best choice whenever she gets like this.
    “Whatever. Just stand there and don’t say anything like you always do,” she snaps. “It doesn’t really matter. I didn’t come here to argue with you about your B average.”
    “Then why did you come here?” I ask cautiously.
    She scowls at me. “Because you need to come home right now. I’ve been trying to call you for the last hour, but your phone keeps sending me to voicemail.”
    “I think the battery’s dead,” I tell her calmly. Inside, though, my thoughts soar. She seems so upset, more than usual. Did she find something out about my dad? “Is something wrong?”
    “Is something wrong?” She gapes at me with her arms folded. “No, Mak. Something isn’t wrong. Everything is.”
    Her loud voice is starting to draw attention, and Dixon is laughing his ass off. Great. Now he’s got all the ammunition he needs to make my life a living hell.
    “Do