TEENAGE DREAM ━━ jj maybank

𝟬𝟬𝟱, 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

𐔌  .  volunteering  !  ౨ৎ
song: brutal - olivia rodrigo

Tannyhill was eerily quiet in the early morning, the kind of hush that only existed before the household fully woke up. The storm had left behind a heavy dampness in the air, making the lingering scent of salt and wet earth even stronger.

Adeline padded barefoot into the kitchen, still in the oversized t-shirt she'd slept in, her hair a messy knot on top of her head. In her arms, Cooper, who she'd now fully decided was hers, stretched lazily, his tiny body warm and content against her chest.

She had just set him down on the tiled floor when she heard the unmistakable shuffle of dress shoes approaching.

"Adeline."

Her father's voice was sharp, clipped—already suspicious.

She turned just in time to see Ward Cameron step into the kitchen, perfectly put together despite the early hour, a fresh cup of coffee in his hand. His gaze barely flicked over her before landing on the small dog at her feet.

A long pause.

Then—

"What the hell is that?"

Adeline glanced down at Huck, who was currently sniffing at the cabinets, his scruffy tail wagging slightly. She fought the urge to smile. "Uh, this is Cooper."

Ward blinked. "No, Adeline. That is a dog."

"Yeah," she said, deadpan. "Good observation."

Ward exhaled sharply through his nose, already rubbing his temple like she was giving him a headache. "Please, for the love of God, tell me you're not keeping it."

She crossed her arms. "I found him, Dad. He was abandoned after the hurricane."

Ward set his coffee down a little too forcefully. "Adeline, we are not a dog family."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

She scoffed, leaning against the counter. "Right, because God forbid I do something that isn't pre-approved by Ward Cameron."

Ward's jaw tightened. "Don't start, Adeline."

Cooper, oblivious to the tension in the room, let out a soft yawn and flopped onto the cool tile, stretching out his tiny legs. Adeline watched him for a second before looking back up at her father, her voice calmer but firm.

"I'm not getting rid of him."

Ward's nostrils flared slightly. "You don't have time for a dog."

"Maybe not your version of me," she shot back. "But the actual me? The one who spent my whole day at the animal shelter helping after the storm? I think I do."

For a moment, he just stared at her, his face unreadable. Then, he let out a low breath and straightened his posture. "Fine," he said coolly, picking up his coffee again. "One one condition, you will volunteer to help clean up the beach with your sister."

Adeline blinked. That was... almost too easy, she replied instantly, "Deal."

Ward took a sip before leveling her with a look. "Just don't expect me to deal with it when you get bored."

Adeline felt a flicker of irritation but didn't let it show. Instead, she just glanced down at Cooper, who was currently rolling onto his back, completely content in her home.

She smiled, reaching down to scratch his belly.

"Don't worry," she said, not looking up. "I won't."

Addie sat on Topper's boat next to her sister as they drove through the calm water.