He's a Keeper

Chapter 3

The photo on the side is of Shane.

I shift on the couch, pulling the blanket closer to my chest, looking at my best friend and my little sister on Skype.

"Yeah, I really hate Steve and Hannah. I don't want to stay with either of them." Tori says.

"Well I have the guest room." Lauren says. "You're welcome to stay in it."

"We should call Mom." Tori says. "She's going to get mad."

"Dad already is mad. He said I need therapy."

"Why?" Tori asks.

"Because I apparently can't let go of their divorce."

"You shouldn't anyways. They sure as fuck haven't." Lauren says. "They're so blatantly in love still."

"I know." I say. "Just, things got hard and they gave up."

"Exactly." Tori says. "It's pathetic. Now they have their new spouses. It's ridiculous."

"I know." I sigh. "It's so irritating."

"Let's Skype Mom." I say.

"Alright." Tori says.

I add Mom to the call.

After a moment, she answers. It says connecting.

Who answers though isn't my Mom. It's Steve.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. He can see me.

Tori looks irritated.

"Where's my Mom?" I ask.

"Bathroom." He says. "And I promise you two, if you pull any antics that'll upset your mother this holiday, I'll make your life a living hell."

I snicker.

"You don't scare me at all."

"You better get scared. I own guns."

"What? You're gonna shoot me. Right." I roll my eyes.

"Or your Dad." He shrugs. "I can make it look like he did it."

The scary thing is I have no doubt that he will actually shoot Dad. He hates him.

The look on Tori's face tells me that she doesn't either.

Every time he does something, he gives me a reason not to tell Mom.

"You better be on your best behavior." He snaps.

I hear a door shut.

"Who are you talking to?" Mom asks.

"Your children." I say, glaring at Steve.

Mom knows my tone.

She grabs the laptop and walks away from him.

"What's the matter?" Mom asks.

Tori looks scared.

I'm going to start plotting against him. I'm going to get rid of him.

"We were just discussing Christmas." I say.

"Oh." She says. "Are you staying with your father? You were with me last year. I suppose it's his year. You can stay here, too. I won't be upset either way."

"I'm staying with Dad." I say, picking up my phone.

"Me too." Tori whispers.

"Okay." She says. "Your Dad and I have decided we're having Christmas together this year anyways. Grandma and Grandpa will be there, and Abby."