Page 36 of The B!tch List

Mom looked toward the door, undoubtedly thinking about the cute little girl across the hallway. I saw the shine in her eyes, and this was exactly why I hadn’t told her.

“Don’t fall in love with her, mom.”

Her gaze swung to mine. “She is so blonde. Just like you as a baby.”

“Mom.” My tone was warning but I could see it was too late. Cuteness coupled with a sad story meant that my mother was already in love and would protect Tia with her life.

“What did the note say?” I asked.

Dad pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. “Your mom heard the doorbell and when she opened the door she was there, sitting on the welcome mat.”

I scanned the note, and it was short and sweet.

Shaw, she is your child. Time for you to take care of her.

I folded it up and stuffed into my own pocket. “What time was that?”

“About five. Your dad was coming home early so I was in the bedroom…” She trailed off.

“I get the picture.” I shook my head really not wanting to get the picture. I pulled out my phone. “I should call Tate. He is my lawyer.”

“Yes, honey, maybe you should.” Mom stood and rubbed a hand down my arm. “I’ll go check on her.”

She was about to leave the room when Dad let out a strangled moan. Mom rushed to his side.

“Jim, honey, what’s wrong?”

“This is terrible.”

“I know it’s not ideal, Dad, but—”

“Not that,” he hissed, gripping his hair. “According to her birth certificate she’s two weeks older than Rett which means you made the first grandchild and the first granddaughter and that means Bronte is going to be way beyond pissed.”

The vote for the winner of the contest was in and most of the town were gathered in the Memorial Hall for the result. The only person who wasn’t was Shaw, neither were his mom and dad. Bronte was with Rett who every time Carter appeared from the side of the stage whooped a cheer and waved her and Rett’s arms in the air.

There was one other person who was also a no show, and that was Minnesota. I was grateful that he wasn’t. I didn’t want to have to deal with him after the other night. I’d sent him off home, but only after I promised to let him explain. Honestly, I didn’t want his explanations. Too many things added up to the fact that he’d actually been a shitty boyfriend. Regardless of whether he regretted leaving me or not, I didn’t want him back. I still had no clue what had happened to his British fiancée but had the feeling I wouldn’t like what I found out.

“Where’s Shaw?” I asked Garner as he paced in front of me looking at his script and distracting me from my thoughts.

“Hmm, no idea. Carter just got a text to say to start without him, something had come up.” He glanced at me. “Sorry but I’m trying to memorize this.”

I rolled my eyes. One because Shaw couldn’t be bothered to turn up and two because Garner’s ‘script’ was just announcing our names.

“What happens if he’s not here to collect his award?” I asked.

Garner shrugged with a little too much attitude for my liking. “I don’t know, Nancy. Ask Carter.”

“Ask me what?”

Carter gave us a grin and smacked Garner’s ass with his clipboard. Garner screeched like a teenage girl and jumped about a foot in the air.

“What happens if Shaw doesn’t turn up to collect his award?”

He laughed. “You don’t get it by default, Nancy. I’ll give it to him. Besides you might win.”

I snorted. “Doubtful. Have you seen that sign that the girls from the high school have made? It’s huge.”

It almost covered the whole first two rows that they’d managed to get seats in since they’d been queuing at the door since they’d got out of school that afternoon. It was pink and sparkly and had Shaw We Luv U in bubble letters. Even the sticks that they held the banner up with had been covered in pink tape and feathers.

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