Page 75 of Drifting

I tap my chin. “Hmmm, Hannah, have you done something recently that can get you in trouble?”

With a sneer, she says, “You can never prove it. And even if you could, Ms. Webb wouldn’t believe you.”

“It’s not her we need to prove it to, Hannah,” Nick says, turning the computer toward her.

She glances at the screen and takes a couple of steps back. “How could you? You’re my brother, and you’re helping her?” She points to me.

“When you and your friends try to screw up someone’s life, then yes, Hannah, I will always help. I don’t know who you are anymore.”

She tears her eyes away from him. “I won’t forgive you for this.”

Turning, she storms out of my bedroom, her brown hair swishing behind her.

Standing, I place my hand over Nick’s. “I’m sorry. Maybe you should remain neutral.”

He shakes his head. “She’s the one making me choose, not you.”

As raised voices come from the kitchen, we glance at each other before heading toward the commotion.

“Hannah, I know you’re upset that your dad married me, but you need to deal with it,” Mom says, raising her chin. “We’ve been married for over a year now. I also ask that you stop saying all those nasty things about Shelby.”

Way to go, Mom, she’s finally standing up for herself.

Mom stands behind the center island with a bottle of water in her hand. Nick and I stop just shy of the kitchen, but we can see what’s happening. Hannah faces my mom, her back to the living room, so she doesn’t see her dad when he enters.

“You’re not my mother, nor will you ever be. I will never listen to anything you say. This is just a temporary stop for you and your bitch of a daughter,” Hannah sneers with venom in her voice. “If I have anything to say about it, it won’t be long before you’re back on the street where you belong.”

Peter’s eyes widen, and his mouth drops open. It’s obvious he’s never heard his daughter talk like this before.

“Then, it’s a good thing you don’t have a say in it,” Peter says, walking around the counter and wrapping his arms around my mom.

A panicked look flitters across Hannah’s face. “Dad, I didn’t hear you come in.”

“And it’s no wonder, with how you were yelling at my wife. I didn’t want to believe all the things I heard about you, but sadly, you just proved they’ve all been telling the truth.” He pursed his lips.

“They’re lying, Daddy.” Hannah juts out her bottom lip. “They just want me to look bad.”

Oh, here come the big, fake, crocodile tears.

“Then, I didn’t just hear you say my wife and Shelby belong on the street? Are you calling me a liar?” Peter waits for Hannah to answer, but she’s smart enough to keep her mouth shut. “Everyone needs to go sit in the living room. We’re having a family meeting.”

Hannah stomps her foot. “What about cheerleading?”

“There are more important things than cheerleading. You might not be returning to cheer after this,” he says sternly.

She gasps, then shoots daggers at me.

“Go ahead. You, too,” he tells Nick and me. “We’ll see you in there.”

Nick and I follow Hannah into the living room. She flops on the far end of the couch, Nick sits in the middle, and I sit on the other end. I’ve never had a family meeting before.

Shit, I’ve never had a family to have a meeting.

Peter and Mom walk in, holding hands. Mom sits on the chair while Peter stands in front of us.

“It has come to my attention that you, Hannah, have been having someone do your homework. Is that true?” He stands tall, eyes beaming at her.

“No.” She nibbles her bottom lip.

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