comment on after what we just discussed your father.”
“She has deep regrets about it,” I said, debating whether or not
to say anything about the online issue. As open-minded as Mom
was, she’d probably side with Kalen if she knew about Hailey’s
deception. Frankly, I would’ve reacted the same way Kalen had if
she told me the same things about someone she was interested in.
A niggling doubt and fear settled over me then.
10
Pitifully Ugly
Chapter 16
Sometimes it pays to lie…to Kalen.
I sat propped up against the headboard, trying to keep my
eyes open. I’d held my cell phone in my hand since I’d gone to
bed, awaiting Hailey’s text message. I glanced at the clock and
noted with disdain that it was a little before midnight. Hailey said
earlier that she had to work the next day, and I figured that she
must’ve been having a great time if she wasn’t home yet. I couldn’t
help but feel a bit anxious about that. Who was entertaining her?
I nearly cleared the bed by six inches when my phone vibrated.
Home safe and sound.
Have a good time?
They were a rowdy group. Alicia was as you described.
Shit! She was there. I chewed the inside of my cheek.
I put her in her place. Hailey wrote before I could respond.
Thank you for letting me know that you made it in. I’m coming
home tomorrow. We arrive at three.
Hailey’s reply was immediate. Is something wrong? I thought
you’d stay longer.
Dad and Mom are fine. Kalen is missing her hubby and is
ready to get back.
Then you should be in bed. Your flight is probably early.
You should be, too.
See you tomorrow then. Sweet dreams.
My dreams would be anything but sweet. Images of Alicia
coming on to Hailey like a freight truck were already flashing
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Robin Alexander
through my mind, then Alicia telling Hailey in lurid detail what
we’d done.
The next morning, Kalen and I were aboard a plane full
of a group of teens who seemed to have had energy drinks for
breakfast. For a church group, they were high on something, and I
wasn’t sure it was the Lord. Kalen listened to their conversations
as we sat on the tarmac, shaking her head. When she turned to
me, her eyes were wide. “If my kid behaves like any of these, I’m
not going to make it through the teen years. Why don’t you keep
him or her until they’re twenty-five?”
“I’m moving to Canada when your offshoot hits puberty. I
remember what you were like at that age, and these kids pale in
comparison.”
Kalen waved her hand in my face. “New topic, this one is
making me queasy. You’ve been texting a lot. Are you and Marci
still talking?”
Lie to her! My brain screamed. S top that bouncing leg.
“We’re not going to see each other again, remember?” I
crossed my legs as best as I could in my cramped seat.
“Then who is it?” Kalen raised a brow as I tried to meet her
stare.“I have friends.”
Kalen’s eyes narrowed. “Stop being evasive. Who were you
texting with? And who did you call while on the beach?”
Both of my legs started jumping then. Change the subject, my
brain ordered. Do something with those legs, for Pete’s sake! “You
said you were going to take a nap. Did you lie so you wouldn’t
have to clean the kitchen?”
Kalen leaned in closer. “Who?”
“Hailey.”
Kalen’s mouth twisted. “You’re playing with fire, little sister,
and you’re going to get burned.”
“You’ve made up your mind without ever meeting her. I don’t
think she’s the monster you believe she is.”
“Shannon.” Kalen caressed my arm. “I don’t mean to be such
a downer. I’m just trying to protect you. Think about the things
10
Pitifully Ugly
you’ve told me. She cheated on her husband, and she conveniently
neglected to mention that it was her you were chatting with online
until you busted her.” Kalen tugged on my arm until I looked at
her. “You’ve really been coming out of your shell lately. I don’t
want to see you get hurt and start living like a hermit again.”
I nodded and looked out the window as our plane began
barreling down the tarmac. Hearing it all laid out like that did
cast Hailey in a disparaging light. But Kalen didn’t know Hailey
like I knew her, well, like I thought I knew her.
“Shannon?” Something in Kalen’s tone made me face her. “I
think I’m going to be sick.”
We both began digging in the pockets of the seats in front of
us for a barf bag. I nearly broke Kalen’s nose as I shoved one in
her face. She missed anyway.
When I was allowed to get up from my seat, I soaked the
miniscule bathroom, trying to rid myself of the stench of bacon
and eggs. I was nearly sick a couple of times, too. I repeated the
process on our layover in Atlanta and emerged from the bathroom
looking like I’d wet my pants. Kalen was nice enough to buy me a
sweatshirt to change into, but we had no time to search for pants.
She apologized all the way from the airport and was still
begging my forgiveness when I was tempted to put my foot in her
chest and shove her from my car when we arrived at her house.
The high side was that the subject of Hailey didn’t come up again.
I could torment myself on that one without Kalen’s assistance.
I looked at my watch as I entered the courtyard and was
relieved to see that it wasn’t quite five. I figured that I’d beaten
Hailey home from work and wouldn’t have to greet her smelling
like vomit. I was wrong. She was in her usual spot on the bench.
“Hey, welcome home,” Hailey said with a bright smile that
faded the minute I got within a foot of her. Even Fuzzy appeared
put off by my odor.
“I know I reek,” I said, keeping my distance. “Kalen got sick
the minute we left the ground in Miami.”
“I was going to ask you to dinner, but I just lost my appetite,”
Hailey said as she fanned her grinning face.
10
Robin Alexander
That invitation would’ve thrilled me before the conversation
with Kalen. Now I stood mute, pondering a comeback.
“I’m just teasing,” Hailey said as her expression turned
serious. “You’re probably tired and just want to relax.”
“It was a hellacious flight,” I tried to explain. “Can I take a
rain check?”
Hailey looked disappointed but recovered quickly. “Sure, go
shower. We’ll get together another night.”
I smiled as best I could and kept my distance as I made my
way to the door. I heard Hailey and Fuzzy come in behind me,
and I turned to look at them. “You may not want to ride up in the
elevator with me.” I gestured to the stain on my pants.