Page 77 of The Family Guest

“Then, what am I supposed to do? I can’t do my homework without a computer.”

“Can’t you use your debit card? Or one of your father’s cards?”

“Um…mine just expired and I don’t have access to Papa’s.”

I didn’t believe her. Something was fishy.

My mother helped herself to a muffin. “Ask Matt. I’m sure he’ll let you use his credit card.”

Tanya’s eyes narrowed. “Fine. I’ll text him. Maybe he can meet us at the Apple Store in Century City since he works around there. Or better yet, I’ll just show up at his office.”

“I’d highly recommend you call or text him before you go to his office.” A subtle sneer formed on my mom’s lips. “He might be in an important meeting. Or an outside one. Especially if you decide to go at lunchtime.”

Outside our house, a horn honked three times. I recognized it.

“Ooh, that’s Lance now.” Tanya’s face lit up. “Gotta go. Ta-ta!”

She poured herself some coffee, took a couple of sips, and then tossed the remains in the sink. The slob didn’t even put her mug into the dishwasher. My eyes stayed on her as she waltzed out of the kitchen. My heart ached as I heard the car drive off.

My mother gave me a perplexed look. “Why didn’t you go with them?”

Listlessly, I unwrapped a granola bar, then after a deep breath, dropped the L-bomb. “Mom, Lance and I broke up.”

She looked more upset than shocked. “Oh, honey! You poor thing, come here.”

She held her arms open and I let her hug me, drawing me into her magnetic mom force.

She smoothed my hair with her good hand. “When did that happen?”

“Over the weekend.”

A mix of worry and compassion washed over her. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

I nodded and took a bite of the crunchy bar. “I’m fine.” Truth: I was still hurting. Human after all.

I wondered if my mom knew he had cheated on me with Tanya. That they were now together. Before I could tell her, Will came barreling in, holding a rambunctious Bear by his leash. Our dog jumped up on the counter and stole Tanya’s leftover granola bar.

“Paige,” Will said breathlessly, grabbing a muffin, “I can’t be late for school. I’m the homeroom monitor this morning.”

A big part of me wished I could stay home again. Not have to face Lance and Tanya together. But I had too much going on, including two exams, a presentation, and basketball practice.

With a heavy heart, I grabbed my car key and followed Will to my Jeep.

While waiting for him to buckle up, I could not stop myself from checking Tanya’s Instagram.

Bile rose to my throat as I eyed a selfie of her and Lancehole lip-locked with the hashtag #Instalove and lots of hearts. Nauseated, I killed the app and tossed my phone into my backpack before all the obnoxious comments came pouring in, dissing me.

Maybe my mom didn’t know what was going on, but the rest of the world knew.

Including everyone at Coldwater Academy.

The Instagram queen had gotten her king.

I hated him but hated her more.

So much I could kill her.

FORTY