Page 1 of Paved Paradise

Prologue

Beck

I sigh as I take a seat on the beach and let my head drop between my knees. Rough week wouldn’t even begin to explain the time I’ve had. While usually, I’d be trying to find my friends, hang with the boys, and make a little mayhem; instead, I came here. My refuge is my one safe, and, most importantly, isolated place in this town. Though, for the last few days, I’ve noticed it’s not so isolated anymore.

I found this place years ago; around the same time everything happened with my sister, and I felt like our whole lives were falling apart. We needed to get away from the doctors, the diagnosis, and the worst-case scenario discussions. All of it seemed to be centered around taking my sister from me, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I started walking; I didn’t know where I was going or what I was doing, but there was a small hidden trail that led to this private beach, and for the last three years, this is where I’ve come.

I don’t usually come every night, but lately, with my friends Kas and Grayson pairing up, and Riley, of course, stuck in some other universe in his books, this has been my refuge for the last week. I noticed a bright yellow Volkswagen van parked out here about three nights ago. I shook my head and debated informing the owner that their van would be towed if they left it on the beach. I knocked on the door the first night, but there was no answer. After that, I decided to leave it alone. Maybe they’d be able to stay a few days and then get out of here before the cops or tow truck showed up.

As I hear the car pulling down the trail behind me tonight, I realize they have no such luck. The van’s been here too long. Definitely getting towed. Oh well, not my business. That's what I keep telling myself over and over again… not my business. I have enough to deal with on my plate. No need to get involved in some type of altercation. Then the panicked voice chips away at my heart, and I know I can't just sit here and let this happen.

“Please, it's my home,” the petite little thing says to the tow truck driver. I see my buddy's dad's shop logo and exhale at the luck. Hopefully, it's Grayson and I can work something out. As I round the van, though, I instead see Grayson's dad with a pained expression on his face.

“I'm so sorry, young lady, but I have orders from the county, and they could take my business if I don’t complete the job.” He winces, and I can tell this is eating him up inside, but he’s not wrong. Our small community likes to look out for the little guy, so a few years back, when there was an influx of people parking on the beach and the county called the cops and tow drivers, nine times out of ten, they would just warn them and then let them go. Most would respect the town's rules and move along or park in one of the RV camps. But, as always, a few ruined it for everybody. They just drove a few miles down the coastline and found another patch of beach to park on. After that, the city council stated that every reported car called in had to be checked into the impound lot behind the station, or the towers get the shaft. I might have an idea, though.

“Do you know who called it in?” I ask, making the small girl jump at my sudden appearance.

“Oh, Beck! Hey, I didn't see you there. Uh, let me check,” Mr. Lebeck says, turning and grabbing the papers from the truck's bench seat.

“Who are you?” the girl asks saucily, and when I look at her, I notice her glaring at me. It almost makes me laugh out loud. How can a glare be so damn cute? Still, I hold back my smile, knowing instinctively she would probably kick me in the shin if I let it loose.

“Just a concerned citizen here, schnookums. You can put away the claws,” I say, patting the top of her head, and this time, I’m unable to contain the smile at her cute little growl.

“Don't call me that!” She stomps her foot before turning forward again and huffing. “And I have this taken care of.”

I raise a brow at her, but she studiously avoids my eyes, looking everywhere but at me. Yeah, that's what I thought. As Mr. Lebeck comes back, I hold my breath.

“It just says it was anonymous.” He flips the top paper up and scans the page.

“Does it say male or female?” I ask. He looks a little longer before answering.

“Male.”

“Perfect!” I say, taking my phone out of my pocket and dialing the police station. I type in the extension I need, and Chief Cruz, the chief of police, answers on the first ring.

“Yeah?” he barks.

“Hey, Chief, how's your day going?” I ask.

“Beck, my boy! Gone to hell early this morning, but better now. What can I do for you, son?”

“Actually, it's kind of embarrassing. I called just a bit ago with an anonymous tip. There was a van parked on the beach in my favorite spot. Well, I came back to check and realized it was gone. I’d hate for your tow guys to drive all the way out here for nothing. The trails are rough and overgrown,” I say as smoothly as possible. The Chief of police golfs at the country club I do maintenance for. I’ve helped him with a few upgrades on his house as well.

“Oh, okay, no worries there. What was the vehicle's make, model, and color?” he asks, and I hear typing in the background as I give him the information. I’m silent as he finds the dispatch call to, hopefully, delete.

“How's your sister?” he asks in a gentle tone that still has ice running down my veins.

I steel myself from the urge to wince but reply. “Good.”

He clears his throat at my simple reply before continuing. “Alright, Beck, got it all taken care of. Thank you for looking out for our beaches. Take care of your family, okay?” At my grunt, we hang up, and I place my phone in my back pocket.

“Records have been deleted. It won't fall back on you,” I tell Mr. Lebeck. He gives me a small smile, shakes my hand, sends a chin lift to the girl, then hops in his truck and takes off.

I turn to the little firecracker beside me and, yup, there it is. Just like I was expecting… a glare.

“You're welcome.” I smile at her. She huffs before turning and stomping to her van. I hear a very low, forced “thank you” before she hops in the driver's seat and cranks the old girl up.

“That's it? I don't even get a name? Guess I’ll just have to keep thinking of you as schnookums,” I yell after her. She growls and turns to look out the window at me. My heart stops, and I swear it jumps into the passenger seat as she smirks my way and replies.

---