A Castle of Sand Read Free Page A

hated and resented me for the things I put her through during the span of time when Sofia left the island with Ben. It was a time when I completely lost myself and did things I regretted. I couldn’t blame Ashley if she was forever unwilling to forgive me. I doubted I could ever forgive myself, but my guilt didn’t mean I’d just stand there and take it whenever she threw sarcasm and ridicule my way.
    “You two love each other so much,” Sofia remarked as she pulled me toward the car. “Come on, Derek. Get behind the wheel.” She got in the passenger’s seat right after the others got out of the car. I stepped forward and ran a hand over the hood of the car. A smirk formed on my lips as I gave Sofia a questioning glance.
    “Are you really sure you want to do this, Sofia?” I started loving the idea of learning to drive a car the moment I saw her nervously gulp. “Oh yeah…” I nodded. “This is going to be fun.”

Chapter 3: Sofia
     
    “Derek!” I screeched. “You’re driving the car right into the woods! Derek!”
    He waited until the very last minute before turning the car to the right. He seemed to be having the time of his life.
    “You’re getting a kick out of this, aren’t you?” I frowned.
    “You know I am!”
    He hit the brakes and I found myself thanking the heavens for the invention of the seatbelt, because had it not been created, I would’ve been thrown right out of that convertible.
    The car’s motor died down as Derek pulled the keys from the ignition. We were right in the middle of the field, the vehicle’s headlights providing more than sufficient lighting. I felt Derek’s gaze taking my shaking form in.
    “You’re right. You are overdressed for this.” He chuckled.
    Annoyed, I hit him on the shoulder. “At one point during that crazy ride, I swear I saw my entire life flash before my eyes. Whose stupid idea was this?”
    “Yours, I’m sure.” He leaned back on his seat, a satisfied smile on his face. “How did this car even get onto the island?”
    I winced. I knew the answer to his question and it was one that I was certain wouldn’t please him, so I shrugged and said, “ That is something you ought to ask Sam or Kyle.” I checked our surroundings and ascertained that the others had left us alone. I smiled. Perfect . However, upon seeing the determined, questioning look on Derek’s face, I realized that I wasn’t yet off the hook.
    “Tell me, Sofia. I’d rather hear it from you. How did the car get onto the island?”
    “Your father had a couple of cars brought in several years ago. Before you woke up. Sam and Kyle know the details…they just told me about it, so…”
    “No. Tell me what you know. How were the cars brought in?”
    I heaved a sigh. “They had to use a special freighter ship to get the cars here. Your father and Lucas wanted to try them out. They have a collection stashed somewhere here. Apparently, Vivienne objected to it, but they wouldn’t hear of it.”
    “Another one of their insane luxuries…” He grimaced.
    “Now your mood’s all ruined.” I pressed the play button on the car’s stereo and music added a calming, tropical feel to our surroundings. I then got out of the car and headed for the trunk. Just as I’d requested, a picnic basket was inside.
    “I’m starving,” I confessed as I returned to the passenger’s seat beside him, picnic basket in hand.
    I began taking out the contents of the basket. Two bottles—one containing champagne, the other containing blood—two glasses, a sandwich, strawberries and a container containing some melted white chocolate.
    “So are you going to answer my original question or not?” he asked. I could hear the impatience in his tone.
    I smiled at him as I recalled the night that gave me this idea. We were at the lighthouse, the only man-made structure located outside the thick walls surrounding the island. We had been playing a game of chess. I couldn’t forget the sadness in his eyes