It was nice of Keegan to insist that he could handle things with the help of our brothers and Da. Ma said she would be perfectly fine in the kitchen.
That’s the difficult thing about a family-run business. It’s hard to include everyone in things because someone has to work at the pub.
So far, we’ve been able to figure it out.
I pull into the driveway and scowl at the MINI Cooper parked in front of the garage. Hunter made it clear to both Rachel and me last night that he doesn’t want Carla here while he’s gone.
And yet, here she is.
Great.
I walk inside and toss my bag onto the counter, then follow the laughter coming from upstairs. I find Rachel and her mom in Rachel’s room, hanging a new set of curtains.
There’s a new comforter on the bed, and a different rug on the floor.
All very different from what Rachel and I picked out together just a couple of weeks ago.
I lean on the doorjamb, cross my arms over my chest, and clear my throat.
They both turn my way.
Carla’s gaze hardens, and her chin stiffens. She knows she shouldn’t be here. She knows she’s just stirring the pot.
And she seems damn pleased with herself.
“Isn’t this awesome?” Rachel asks with a smile. “Mom thought I needed bolder colors in here, so she bought me all new stuff. Isn’t that nice?”
I force a smile in return. “It’s great. I like the navy blue. Carla, can I speak to you for a moment, please?”
I walk out of the room and hear Carla say, “I wonder what the wicked witch wants,” making Rachel giggle.
What a bitch.
“Yes?”
“Hunter doesn’t want you here.” I don’t mince words or try to be nice. There’s no reason to. “I’m sure you already know that.”
“I’m her mother.”
“You don’t live here,” I remind her. “So, technically, you’re trespassing. I don’t want to make things horrible for Rachel and call the police, but I will. I have no problem doing that at all, actually. Because he does. Not. Want you here.”
“He’s just an ass,” she hisses. “Such a controlling ass.”
“Even if that’s true, which it isn’t, this is his property. Not yours.”
“You just love this, don’t you, you little gold digger?” She bares her teeth and leans in. “The sex is great, isn’t it? Best there fucking is. But he’ll cast you aside just like he did me. And I want to be front-row-center, watching with my own eyes when it happens. He’s not in love with you, no matter how many charming, mushy speeches he gives.”
“Are you done?”
“You’re nothing.” She points her finger at me. “Nothing but white trash.”
“You need to go.” I’m proud of how calm I sound when everything in me wants to slap this bitch across the face.
She whirls back to Rachel’s room.
“Well, darling, I think I need to go ahead and go. I have lots of errands to run. Of course, you’re welcome to come with me if you’d like. We can hang out together, just you and me. Make it a slumber party.”
Rachel’s eyes light up, and she turns to me.
“You don’t need to ask her,” Carla says. “She’s not your dad.”
Rachel frowns with uncertainty. “Still, I’m here with her. What do you think, Maeve?”
“Let me call your dad real quick, okay?”
“Okay.”
I step out once more and call Hunter’s cell phone.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.” I smile and shake my head. “This is literally the only time I’ll interrupt you. I’m about to make a decision, and I want to make sure it isn’t the wrong one.”
“What’s up?”
“Rachel wants to stay the night with Carla. I don’t mind if she does, but I also don’t mind if you say no.”
He sighs on the other end of the line. “Let her go. Jesus, I hope this fiasco ends soon. She’s never stuck around this long.”
“I’ll tell her. Now, don’t worry about a thing. Go. Enjoy your time in Vegas—well, don’t enjoy it too much.”
“It’s all work, babe. You and I will come together sometime and really enjoy it.”
“It’s a date. Okay, talk to you later.”
I turn back to Rachel’s room in time to see Carla opening Rachel’s shirt just a bit to show off more cleavage.
“There you go. Show what your mama gave you, girl.”
Rachel blushes.
I want to rush over and fix her shirt.
“Your dad is cool with it,” I say instead.
“Awesome,” Rachel says with a grin. “I’ll be home tomorrow way before my shift starts at the pub.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I walk the two to the front door and keep an eye on them, making sure that it’s Carla who gets behind the wheel to drive away.
When they’re out of sight, I lean against the closed door and sigh.
I don’t trust Carla.
But I trust Rachel. And she has my number.
In fact, just to be sure, I shoot Rachel a text.
Me: Hey, just to remind you, I’m here if you need ANYTHING. Just a phone call away.