The Changing Hours: Being Read In

By Charles Hackney II

How many hours does it take for your life to change forever?

The Miller family is about to find out.

For years, Tony Miller has been able to keep his job as a federal agent from his children, that was until now. Tony's true identity is uncovered, and a threat is now levied against his family. He must race against time to find out who is behind it before they destroy his family forever. The deeper Tony digs, the closer he comes to finding out that the threat hits closer to home than he could have ever imagined.

Little does Tony know, but he is not the only one in his family dealing with a threat to their lives. His children, unexpectedly, have become engaged in their own need to survive the night.

All any of them do know, is that when the dust settles, none of their lives will ever be the same again.

The Changing Hours: Being Read In is an adrenaline packed tale full of twist and turns that will leave you guessing until the very last page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charles Hackney II
• Release date: Mar 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476038698

Book preview

The Changing Hours:

Being Read In

By

Charles Hackney II

Copyright 2012 Charles Hackney II

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes:

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

6pm-7pm

7pm-8pm

8pm-9pm

9pm-10pm

10pm-11pm

11pm-Midnight

Midnight-1am

1am-2am

2am-3am

3an-4am

4am-5am

5am-6am

6am-7am

7am-8am

8am-9am

More Works by Charles Hackney II

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Tied By Family Sample Chapter

6pm-7pm

6:01pm

Tony Miller walked through the front door of his house. As he sat his briefcase down next to the door, his teenage daughter, Annie, walked by him, her head buried in her cell phone.

Hello, Annie. Tony said as she started heading upstairs.

Hey, dad. She said in a low tone as she continued making her way up the stairs.

You know where your mother is? He asked but Annie didn’t answer.

Tony didn’t know whether or not she just didn’t hear him, but he was becoming increasingly concerned that his daughter was going to become literally attached to her phone. He never did understand the hype that surrounded the social media networks that his family participated in. He much more preferred to keep his private life private. He felt no need to tell the world when he was grocery shopping or watching a movie.

Auggie, your mother’s car isn’t here. Tony asked his son.

She had a job interview this afternoon. Auggie told him as he grabbed a cup out of the cupboard. She said she may not be home in time for dinner.

Then I guess it is up to the men of the house to cook. Tony told him as he took off his coat and placed it on the back of the dining room chair.

What about Annie? Why does she get to get out of this? Auggie asked as he poured some water into the cup.

You know your sister, Auggie. She isn’t the homemaker type.

If I say I’m not hungry, does that get me out of the cooking part of dinner? He asked as he took a sip from the glass. Because I can do that if it would help.

I know that it’s not in a book, Auggie, but I’m trying to instill some good traits in you. Every man should know how to grill good food.

I agree. Auggie replied. However I see myself as the type of man to hire someone to cook for me. So, yeah, I think it is important for men to know how to cook on the grill, especially if they are working for me a the time.

That’s no way to think, son. Tony said as he grabbed the steaks out of the fridge. I’ve tried to always instill in you kids that doing something for yourself brings a stronger sense of accomplishment that you don’t get by sitting around, doing nothing.

I would like to counterpoint that with that when I am able to hire the cooks, that would give me a huge sense of accomplishment. Auggie told his dad as he dumped the remaining water that was in his glass into the sink.

Fine, Auggie, if you don’t want help me cook, I’m not going to twist you arm. Just go upstairs and read your books like you want to.

Thanks, dad. Auggie said as he turned from his dad and headed out of the kitchen."

Hold on, son. Tony called out. You should at least learn one thing today that isn’t in those books of yours.

And what would that be, dad?

Let your meat sit out and rise to room temperature before you cook them. It will…

Thanks, dad, learned a lot. Auggie interrupted as he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

6:07pm

No, Becky, just come over. Annie told her. Yeah. I don’t know, we can figure that out when you get here. Okay, fine, see ya soon. Annie slid her phone closed as someone knocked on her door. What is it, Auggie?

Word of warning, Auggie told her, dad’s on a cooking kick, and he wants to teach his offspring the finer points of grilling. Maybe a good idea to stay away from him.

Yeah, thanks. Annie said as he cell phone beeped. Now go away, I’m busy.

Annie picked her cell phone up off her bed and was happy to see that she had received a text from her boyfriend, Dax…

Wanna go out tonight?"

Annie didn’t even need to think about it. She slid her keyboard out and typed a quick reply…

Def yes. When?

A minute later, Dax replied…

Meet me around the corner at seven

Annie typed out her response…

K. Bringing Becky with me. Luv u.

Annie then slid her keyboard back into the phone. She was surprised when Dax texted her back…

Fine. See u then.

6:14pm

Inside a house on the opposite side of town, a woman laid beneath a man, her legs spread open. He thrust himself faster and faster into her until they had both reached the moment of ecstasy. He then leaned down and kissed her.

That was the best interview I’ve ever had. He said as he rolled off of her.

We’ve always done these very well. She replied as she sat up in the bed. Her back was to him.

Gloria, where are you going? He asked her.

I have to get home to my family, Blake. This interview went longer than I had expected.

You could stay a little longer, couldn’t you? Blake asked as he propped himself up on his elbows.

I’m sorry, Blake, but you know the rules. Gloria replied as she slipped her skirt on.

I don’t know why you’re still with him, Gloria. You’re always telling me how he’s never around.

That’s part of his job. She replied as she buttoned her blouse. I love my husband. This has nothing to do with that.

Then why are we doing this at all? Blake asked as he stood from the bed. You know I love you, Gloria, you know it kills me a little every time you leave here.

Blake, you know you can’t say that. She said as se slipped her shoes on. I’m only here because I have an itch my husband isn’t around enough to scratch, and you know that.

Then what is it going to be like when you start working for me? He asked as he slipped his boxers on. Is it not going to be awkward between us?

Not if we don’t let it. Gloria replied. This right here is fun. What happens at the office in professional. We have to keep the two separate for everyone’s sake.

That’s going to be hard to do. Blake said as he kissed her.

I need to go. She told him. I’ll see you soon.

What about this weekend? Are we still on?

We are. Gloria replied. And I’m looking forward to it.

You sure you can get away from your husband?

He’ll be working this weekend. She replied. Time won’t be an issue.

What does he do that keeps him away so much? He asked her.

You know the rules, Blake. We don’t talk about this stuff. We leave my family out of what we are doing.

Fine. He kissed her again. You should go. I’ll see you this weekend.

6:24pm

Is someone going to get that? Auggie asked as he walked down the stairs. He looked around. No one was rushing to answer the door. I guess not.

He looked around the corner to see if his father was in the kitchen. He wasn’t. Auggie knew he must be out back cooking the steaks. He would rather answer the door then have to go through that conversation with his father again.

Becky, Auggie said as he opened the door. I should’ve known it was going to be you.

Hey, Auggie. Becky replied. Annie’s expecting me.

She’s upstairs. He said as she walked into the house and he shut the door.

Oh, thanks. Becky replied. You’re looking pretty good, Auggie. You’ve been working out?

No, not really.

Oh, lucky for you. My mom keeps me on a diet and makes me work out with her twice a week or she thinks I’m going to gain a pound.

Oh, well, sucks to be you. Auggie said as he turned to walk into the living room. I just hope you and Annie can keep it down.

Oh, we will. Becky told him and then started up the stairs to Annie’s room.

As Auggie flopped down on the couch, he sighed at the conversation he had just had with Becky, He knew that she had a crush on him, but, no matter what he did, Becky just never seemed to get the hint that he wasn’t into her. He picked up the book he kept on the side table, opened it up to the bookmarked page, and started reading.

6:29pm

Tony flipped the steaks on the grill. He then rearranged them so that the ones that were cooking the most wouldn’t be directly over a flame. Once he had closed the lid, he picked up the bottle of beer that sat on the ledge and took a swig. He then took his cell phone out of his pant’s pocket and dialed his wife’s number.

Hey, honey. She said when she answered.

Hey, baby. Tony replied. I was surprised to learn that you were still at a job interview this late.

Yeah, I’m sorry about that. It ran a lot longer than I expected it to. There were so many people in front of me.

It’s okay, honey.

Um, I’ll pick up some dinner on the way home.

No, no need. Tony replied. I’m cooking steaks.

Oh, that sounds great, honey, but you are going to have to cook a turkey burger or something for Annie. She’s not eating red meat right now.

If she wants something else, she can cook it herself. Tony said as he took a swig from the beer bottle.

Honey, I should have told you, but I didn’t know you were going to cook steaks tonight.

No, it’s okay. Tony said. After I take these up, I’ll go make and cook our increasingly spoiled daughter a turkey burger.

No matter what anyone says, you are a good father.

When I’m around. Tony replied. Speaking of, my thing this weekend got cancelled.

It did? She asked. That’s great. Maybe we can all spend some much needed family time together.

That’s exactly what I was thinking, honey.

Okay, well, let me go. She said. I’ll be home within the hour, depending on traffic.

Okay. I’ll hopefully have dinner ready by the time you get here. Love you.

Love you too, honey. She said as he hung up the phone.

6:35pm

But, Annie, like I told you, I don’t want to go out tonight. Becky told her as she sat down on Annie’s bed. I didn’t even wear anything that I could go out in.

That’s why you’re lucky that you have a best friend that wears the same size as you. Annie said as she opened her closet door.

That doesn’t matter, Annie. I still don’t want to go. Becky told her.

Nonsense. Annie said as she grabbed a single strap, black top from her closet. I’m going out, and you are too. Dax already knows you’re coming.

What would we do?

Does it matter? It’s not here. It’s going to be fun.

You don’t know that. Becky replied as Annie took her top off and placed the black one on.

I have to go through this every time with you, Becky. How many times do I want to go out and you don’t?

A lot.

And every time I get you to go even though you don’t want to most of the time, right?

‘Yeah."

And we always end up having a blast, don’t we. Becky nodded. So, you can keep protesting what’s going to happen, but it’s not going to help you any, you know?

Fine, Annie, fine. Where are going?

I’m not sure yet, but I’m sure Dax has something awesome planned for tonight.

I need to call my mom and let her know. Becky said as she took out her cell phone.

Just tell her that you are staying her tonight. Annie told her. Because tonight you and I are going to have the luckiest, funest night of our lives.

6:42pm

Auggie sat his book down on the couch and stood. He stretched slightly since his back was hurting slightly from sitting for so long. He then turned and walked out of the living room. He turned to look upstairs when he heard the two girls talking about something. He then continued to the kitchen, where he found his father standing at the counter, forming ground turkey into a patty.

I would have thought the cooking part of the evening’s event was over. He said as he made his way to the fridge.

We can’t eat until your mother gets home. Tony replied. She’ll be home soon.

And now you’re making Annie’s dinner. Auggie said as he grabbed a soda can out of the fridge. Why not give her the ‘cook for your supper’ diatribe that I got earlier?

I know what to expect from you sister, Auggie. You, on the other hand, perplex me.

I perplex you, huh, dad? How so? He asked as he opened his soda can.

You, my son, are one of the brightest people I know. Graduated second in your high school class. Book smart. You know how to handle yourself.

Dad, stop, you flatter me.

I have been trying to understand this, but I have yet to fully wrap my brain around it.

You want to know why I haven’t applied for college yet, don’t you, dad? Auggie asked.

Yes. Tony replied. I understood when you were a junior and put it off, even when you were a senior. I understood when you told me and your mother you wanted a semester off between high school and college, but now it has been longer than that. If you apply now, you could get in just in time for the spring semester.

Dad, I understand you and mom worry about me and my future, but I’m not even sure I’m going to go to college.

That’s a shame, son. A real shame. Tony told him as he walked out of the kitchen. When your mother gets home, tell her the steaks are in the over. He then turned and started down the hallway towards his bedroom.

6:49pm

Hello, anyone around? Gloria called out as she walked through the front door.

Hey, mom. Auggie said as he walked in from the living room. Dad’s in the bedroom and steaks are in the oven. He gave her a hug. How did the job interview go?

I’ll talk to you later about it. She said with a smile. Let me go change out of these clothes. They are so uncomfortable.

Be forewarned. Auggie said. Dad and I had the ‘why haven’t you applied to college yet’ talk, and he’s kind of upset.

We both just want what’s best for you, August. He gave her a look. Sorry…sorry. Auggie. You still look like my little boy, though.

Okay, its fine, mom. He replied. Let me know when dinner’s ready. He then turned and walked back into the living room.

Gloria walked down the hallway to the bedroom, taking out her earrings as she did. Hey, honey. She said as she opened the door and walked into the bedroom.

Hey. Tony said as he pulled up his shorts. Dinner’s ready when ever you are.

I have to get out of these clothes first. She said as she unbuttoned her blouse.

I think I can help you out with that. He said as he unzipped her skirt.

What about dinner? Gloria said with a laugh.

It can wait. He said as he kissed her neck. The steaks will stay warm in the oven.

No, honey, no. It’s been a very long day and I’m tired.

Okay then. Tony said as he backed away from her. How did your interview go? Did you get it?

I did. Gloria said a smile as she slipped her skirt off. I’m so thrilled to finally be rejoining the workforce after spending so much time raising a family.

I’m happy that you’re happy. Tony said as he gave her a kiss. I think we should celebrate.

I do too. She replied. But first I need to eat. I am starving.

Okay, I’m going to go cook Annie’s turkey burgers out back. Tony told her. Dinner will be ready soon.

"Thanks