their heads in agreement. “We were talking about all those trashy women who are only after Dad for his money.” She blows out a breath. “Geez, you’re exactly what we’ve always been hoping for Dad to find.”
My eyes are as wide as saucers. “Oh.” Is my wonderful reply.
“For real Stace.” Missy chimes in. “Even when you and Dad were doing a horrible job at hiding your relationship, we could tell how much you both liked each other. Dad hasn’t been that happy in forever. I’m sorry that we made you think that you weren’t good enough. We were so upset when you guys stopped seeing each other.”
Paige purses her lips and crosses her arms over her chest. “You mean when that damn hoochie came in here screwing everything up.”
Danny raises his eyebrows at her. “Why are you giving me a dirty look?”
“Because none of that would’ve happened if you had always chosen quality over quantity.”
“Isn’t it your mother and father’s weekend to be stuck with you three?” He asks them.
“You’re stuck with us forever. We’re going to be standing over your death bed saying goodbye to you.” Paige retorts blandly.
“What a wonderful thing to look forward to.” Danny drawls.
“They’re kinda scary.” Kealy mumbles.
I wave a hand in the air. “You get used to it.” I roll my eyes at her dubious look. “Eh, I mean once you realize that you only really have to fear them if they hate you. Other than that, they’re pretty easy to deal with.” I give her a bright smile. “Plus, they remember coffee and donut preferences. I can totally overlook evilness for that.”
“Awe, we love you too ESM.” Becca blows kisses at me.
“I prefer HSM.” I smile slyly.
Missy scrunches up her nose and reluctantly asks, “What’s that mean?”
“Hot Step-Mama.” I smile brightly at their looks of pure disgust. Teenagers are so much fun! I give Danny an exaggerated wink just to annoy them even more. He shakes his head, but his blinding smile makes my heart soar.
“You’re married?” Is hissed from behind me. Dammit, I know that horrible voice. There goes all of my good vibes.
I turn around and see none other than Karen, the charge nurse from hell. Can’t I get away from her on my day off? What the hell man? Karma can not be this cruel. Did I accidentally run over a kitten or something?
I put a blank look on my face. “Oh, hi Karen.”
“She looks like a Karen.” One of the girls drawls from right behind me.
I look over my shoulder and see that all three are standing directly behind me. Huh? They’re quick.
“Obviously I do since that’s my name.” She says in disgust.
“It suits you.” Paige states.
It takes so much willpower not to laugh. Kealy doesn’t seem to have the same will power since she starts giggling.
Karen looks down at her and narrows her eyes. She crosses her arms over her fake ass chest and taps her foot. “I’m surprised to see you here.” Karen says in a voice that reminds me of nails on a chalkboard. “There are men everywhere. I’m surprised that you’re not huddled in a dark corner somewhere rocking back and forth.”
Kealy’s gasp makes my heart hurt and I see red. I stand up faster than I’ve ever moved in my entire life and get face to face with this bitch. “That’s enough.” I get even more into her personal space. Her look of shock is evident, since I’m not normally a confrontational person, but she’s crossed the damn line. “What the hell is your problem?”
“You!” She hisses with so much venom that I literally take a step back. “You are my damn problem. You and your little friend over there.” She shoots a glare at Kealy.
“We’ve never done anything to you.” Kealy states in a small voice that makes me even angrier.
“She’s right. You have no reason to be such a nasty bitch to us.” I growl. I try to take another step forward, but am halted by hands on either of my biceps. I look over my shoulder and see that Missy and Becca each have a hold of me. Grrr, dammit. I have to try to set a good example.
“Don’t do anything rash.” Becca murmurs in my ear.
I feel Missy lean in close to my other ear. “Remember, you get maximum gratification when you thoroughly plan out what you’re going to do.”
It’s at this moment that I realize that instead of having an angel and a devil on my shoulders, I only