The first episode of Riptide is here! It's a short one, however, the first few episodes will introduce the main players. The stories will really kick into high gear soon, and you won't be disappointed!

January 26 – Late morning

The taxi is heading down Sundown Lane. Melanie Edwards takes a deep breath and looks outside the backseat window. She hasn’t been on this street in twenty years and as the cab advances towards her childhood home, her stomach flips and flops like a roller coaster.

She looks down at her daughter Kylie, asleep in her car seat, oblivious to the drama that is facing her as soon as she steps out of the taxi.

Finally, she’s here. She glances out the window and sees the house. It’s been repainted blue, with dark blue shutters. The original color was 70s standard mustard yellow. What great times she had in this house. Unfortunately, it's the bad ones that have left an imprint on her mind.

Melanie gulps, and gets out of the taxi. She goes to the other door and gets Kylie. The driver gets out to get her bags. She slowly begins to walk up the driveway to the front door, which opens wide. Her father Kyle rushes to her. He grins, and she grins back. The pictures he emailed her of himself didn't do him justice. Even after twenty years, he was still handsome, his skin still had that California surfer's golden glow.

“Dad, I’m back,” Melanie finally says, feeling more relaxed.

Kyle glances down at his granddaughter. “Look at her, she’s so big the last time I saw her.”

Melanie nods. “She gets bigger every day.”

Kyle puts an arm around his daughter and they go inside.

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Julian Wheeler throws a black T-shirt over his bare chest and steps into blue jeans. He goes to the mirror and picks up a bottle of hair gel, spiking up his dark brown hair. He smiles at himself, pleased with the result and heads down the hall to the kitchen where his best friend and roommate Nick DeLorean is.

“So Jules, when is that hot sister of yours supposed to come?” Nick asks before taking a bite of his bagel.

“She said she would be here later this evening once she gets settled at Kyle’s,” he replies, somewhat pissed. “And don’t come on to her as soon as she walks in the door. She’s too old for you, and it’s only been a year since she lost Mike.”

“Since when are you Mr. Moral?” Nick asks.

Julian glares at Nick. “This is my sister, not one of your whores you find at the club and bring home for a wham-bam-thank you.”

Nick just laughs. “Like Cheryl is classy. Last time I checked, I wasn’t screwing any porn stars.”

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Cheryl Slade, a striking redhead, enters the office of her boss, and one-time lover, Duncan DeLorean. She smirks at him and strikes a seductive pose.

“I’m surprised to see you here Cheryl. Shouldn’t you be still recovering from one of your marathon sex sessions with Julian?” Duncan cracks sarcastically.

“I should, but Julian’s sister is coming home and he’s wrapped up in seeing her. She hasn’t been back in twenty years.” Cheryl replied, brushing off the comment.

“Nick told me about that. Apparently she left because her mother couldn’t keep her legs closed and her mouth off of liquor bottles.” He took a sip of bottled water on his desk and grinned. “Nick says Julian’s sister is a looker. Blonde, tan, and beautiful. Sounds like just what Tempted needs.”

Cheryl shakes her head. “Typical Duncan. Always on the lookout for new moaners and screamers.” She leans over him, giving him an eyeful of her cleavage. “Give it up. You have plenty of hot, young starlets and himbos at your fingertips. You don’t need Julian or his sister.”

Duncan stood up and rubbed Cheryl’s arm, which caused her to shudder for a second. “A brother-sister team would rake in more dollars for Tempted, especially a celebrity brother-sister team. The bastard lovechild of a disgraced ex-senator and the daughter of a famous ex-surfer. It’s perfect. Besides, it would give you an opportunity to bang your boyfriend on camera.”

Cheryl pushed Duncan away. “I may have sex on film for money, but you are pure sleaze. It’s not going to work. I would never bring anyone I dated into the business unless they wanted to, and Julian sure as hell doesn’t want to be a porn star.”

Duncan chuckled. “Anyone can be convinced for the right price. After all, I convinced you, didn’t I?”

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Melanie and Kyle stood in the living room sharing a long, warm embrace. After a few moments, they looked at each other. Melanie sighed. “Well, I’m finally home.” She looked around the room. “You’ve changed some things.”

Kyle laughed. “Yeah, some.” He picked Kylie up out of her car seat and twirled her around as the little girl giggled. “How is my big girl?” he asked her.

Melanie’s eyes were drawn to a picture of herself and Kylie that sat proudly on the fireplace mantle. Next to it was a picture of Julian. Melanie remembered that picture. He was eight. It was the last picture taken before Alex sued for custody. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Kyle noticed his daughter and joined her. She put her head on his shoulder. “He was so happy back then.”

Her father nodded. “He’s really looking forward to seeing you Mel. He loves you so much.”

Melanie’s face darkened. “If he loves me so much, why did he leave me Dad? Why did he break up our family?”

It was Kyle’s turn to sigh. “The lifestyle Alex and Jeanette offered was too much for him. I can’t blame him honey. He was just a little boy. I probably would have done the same thing. That’s all in the past. We have to forgive and forget.”

Melanie wiped away tears. “I know, and I did. But I still wonder.” She composed herself and got ready to make the one statement she was afraid to ask. “I’m glad you’re divorcing Mom. You should have done it a long time ago.”

Kyle headed for the sofa. He let Kylie down, who sat on the floor. Melanie sat next to him. He looked intently at her. “I still love her Mel. I always will.”

“I know Dad but---“

“However, I’ve finally realized I couldn’t go on living with her. Believe me, Ray and Rose kept telling me the same thing. I thought I could make her stop the drinking and the cheating. I was wrong. If she wants to change her life, it’s up to her.” He gazed at Kylie. “I’ve also made a petition to adopt Shelly.”

Melanie was surprised. “How did Mom react?”

“She’s not fighting it. She’s not fighting anything. She’s glad to be free of Shelly and free of me.”

Melanie snorted. “And with Alex and Jeanette divorced, she can work her way back into his bed.”

“Actually Mel, Lynda and Alex haven’t resumed their affair. I know they still have feelings for each other, but neither has made a move.” Kyle picked up Kylie and bounced her on his lap.

Melanie let out a bitter laugh. “Give it time Dad. I guarantee you before this year is over, those two will be together. And she’ll do to Alex what she did to you. It’s poetic justice.”

Kyle was taken aback at his daughter’s anger. “Honey, you’ve got to get rid of this hostility towards Lynda. She is your mother. She always will be. You need to see her.”

Melanie vehemently shook her head. “No way Dad. Not after what’s she done to us. I will never forgive her as long as I live. Never.”

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Previews for Episode 2:

Melanie and Julian reunite, and Nick comes to on her big time, much to Julian’s displeasure.

Duncan hatches a plot to introduce himself to Melanie.

Cheryl warns Tricia of her husband’s scheme.

Kyle tells Lynda their daughter is back home, who tells Alex.

Upcoming moments you won't want to miss!

A big bash is the scene for a murder plot...

Rose's quiet life turns into a nightmare when her singing attracts a stalker...

Teagan's love for Julian takes her down a dark path...

Lonely Jeanette falls in love with a surprising man...