Center Ice by Cate Cameron Page B

definite drawback. I tried to sneak in, but Natalie was waiting for me in the kitchen. I needed to check and see if any of the basement windows opened—maybe I could turn one of them into my own entrance/exit route.
    “Karen,” Natalie said firmly. “Come in here for a minute, please.”
    “I’m totally sweaty and gross. I’ll just shower, and then—”
    “Now, please. It won’t take long.” There was something in her tone that made me obey, and I realized she didn’t need to use shock collars on her kids; she was just an authoritative person.
    Still, I might do what she said, but I didn’t have to do it nicely. So I slumped against the fridge, letting my sweaty body steam up the stainless steel, and raised an eyebrow at her. I’m waiting , my body language said. This had better be good.
    Natalie kept her eyes on me as she stepped out into the front hall and called up the stairs. “Miranda? Come down here, please.”
    Natalie returned to the kitchen, and a moment later Miranda appeared, looking cautious. When she saw me, her expression faded to sullen. Probably a good mirror of my own face.
    “Ladies,” Natalie said. “I’ve tried to speak to both of you individually, and I haven’t had much luck. So let’s try this as a group.”
    We both just stared at her. She shook her head and said, “That little display yesterday was absolutely unacceptable. I do not want a repeat of it, under any circumstances. Is that clear?”
    I snorted. “If you can get your daughter to keep her mouth shut, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
    “Oh my God!” Miranda’s eyes were wide with faked outrage. “Mom, she’s running around with Tyler MacDonald . I told you yesterday, she needs to be kept on a leash or something. Honestly, some of the things she could catch from him? I don’t think she should be allowed to use the same toilet seats as us, is all I’m saying.”
    “Both of you, stop it!” Natalie stared at us like we were rabid wolverines who’d somehow fought our way into her spotless kitchen. “Karen, I want you both to keep your mouths shut, and Miranda, if you want Karen to make different friends, maybe you should introduce her to some of yours .”
    Miranda was in the middle of making a disgusted face, but I beat her to the punch. “No, thanks. From what I’ve seen of them, I’m really not interested.”
    “What you’ve seen of them?” Miranda snarled. “You haven’t seen them at all. Since you got here, I’ve been too embarrassed to let anyone come over!”
    “You think I heard about your dad’s whoring from Tyler? Trust me, we talk about stuff way more interesting than your pathetic family. No, it was your so-called friends who were talking about it.” And since this whole showdown had been Natalie’s stupid idea, I added, “From what they say, though, I could have heard it anywhere, because apparently the whole town knows he’s a complete slut.”
    “You are a total bitch !” Miranda screamed. “You’re ruining everything. Mom, this is my last year before university, and she’s going to ruin it.” She was crying now, her face twisted up and blotchy, and I almost felt sorry for her. But not quite.
    I had my mouth open for the next attack when Natalie said, “Enough!” She stepped between the two of us and said, “Sit down. Both of you.” Neither of us moved, and Natalie growled, “Miranda…” and pointed at one of the kitchen chairs. There was a tense moment, but finally Miranda moved, and Natalie turned toward me. “Karen,” she said more calmly, and gestured to a chair on the far side of the table.
    I figured I could always just stand up again if I had to, so I moved, and Natalie sank tiredly into her own chair between the two of us. “No more,” she finally said. “I don’t want to hear the words ‘bitch’ or ‘slut’ or ‘whore’ one more time in this house. Not from either one of you, not directed at each other or anybody else.”
    “What about the idea of