AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Who?”
My mom glances at me, then back at Jenna. “I’ll tell you, but I need you to not tell your father. Can you do that for me?”
She smiles. “I will if you get me that dress I want.”
“Are you serious?” I stare at her in disbelief. “You’re bribing Mom instead of just doing what she says?”
“Jenna, you are not getting a $1000 dress for winter formal,” my mom says. “That’s ridiculous. You’d wear it one time and never wear it again.”
“Daddy would get it for me.” She smirks.
“No. He wouldn’t. Even your father would say it’s too much.”
“Then I’m not keeping your secret.” She turns to leave but my mom grabs her arm, stopping her. “Mom!”
She gets in front of her. “Jenna, I have had enough of this behavior! I am your mother, and if I ask you to do something, you will do it.”
“Or what?” she says like she’s challenging her.
“Or you will be grounded.”
“Big deal. I can’t go anywhere anyway without a car.”
“Then I’ll take your phone. For an entire week.”
“You are not taking my phone!” Jenna yells.
“I will if you don’t do as I say.”
Jenna huffs. “Daddy would give it back.”
“Your father’s not going to be here. He’s leaving for Houston tonight and won’t be back until next week.”
Jenna’s fuming, her lips pursed, her eyes narrowed as she stares back at my mom.
“You should just take it from her now,” I say. “You know she’ll tell Dad. She can’t keep her mouth shut.”
“Just tell me,” Jenna snaps. “What’s the secret you’re keeping from Dad?”
“It’s not a secret,” my mom says. “He’ll find out eventually, just not yet. I need time to discuss this with him.”
Discuss what? There’s no way he’d let Nova stay so I know it’s not that.
“Why would Dad care if we have a guest?” Jenna asks.
My mom glances at me. “Because he doesn’t approve of Easton and his girlfriend being under the same roof.”
Jenna looks back at me. “Paris is here?”
“It’s not Paris,” my mom says. “It’s Nova, the girl who came here on Thanksgiving.”
“The one who stole my coat?”
“She didn’t steal it,” I say. “I gave it to her.”
“You didn’t need it,” my mom says. “You have a million coats. Anyway, Nova came down with something and we’re helping her get better. She’s going to stay here and rest this week.”
“Why can’t she stay at home?”
