Sisters Like Us

“Drive to the high school. Classes are out and there will be plenty of room to practice in the parking lot.” He winked. “Okay, start her up.”

She absolutely could not believe he was going to let her drive his car. Her mother had practically had a seizure the only time they’d practiced together.

She pushed the start button, then tried not to jump as the engine roared to life. She kept her foot on the brake as she shifted to Drive, then checked the mirrors four times before slowly pulling out onto the quiet street.

Mischief Bay High School was less than a mile away, but it took Becca nearly ten minutes to drive there. She stayed well under the twenty-five mile per hour speed limit and came to a full, lingering stop at every sign. By the time she pulled into the parking lot, she felt a little sick to her stomach.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she admitted.

“Are you scared about driving or the car?” Lucas asked.

“Both.”

“Driving gets easier with practice. Right now you have to think about everything you’re doing. Once a few things become automatic, you’ll be more comfortable. As for my car, like I said, it’s insured. Okay, let’s start with the basics. Drive to the end of the parking lot, do a three-point turn, drive back and pull into that parking space.”

Becca tasted bile. “That’s your idea of the basics?”

He flashed her a grin. “I’ve seen Clueless, kid. At least we’re not going on the freeway.”

“I’m never going on the freeway.”

Thirty minutes later, Becca confidently circled the parking lot, making neat figure eights. She made a sharp turn ten feet in front of the flagpole and carefully backed into a parking space before turning to Lucas and laughing.

“I did it.”

“You did good. I’m impressed.”

“Thanks. This car is great. It drives so easily and I’m in love with the backup camera. Thank you for helping me. I really had fun.”

“Me, too. Want to continue with the lessons?”

“Of course.”

Lucas had been calm the whole time. When she’d messed up, he’d had her stop so they could talk about what had gone wrong. She was still nervous about driving, but less so than she had been.

“I’ll talk to your mom,” he said. “If she agrees, then we’ll keep going. Oh, how are your grades?”

Becca felt herself flush. “They’re, um, okay.”

He looked at her without speaking.

She ducked her head. “I’m getting a couple of Cs and a few Bs.”

“I thought you were a good student.”

“I am.” Or she had been. Lately she hadn’t been that interested in school. What was the point? No one paid attention or cared how she was doing.

“I know you’re smart,” Lucas told her. “Something’s going on. If you want me to help you get your driving hours, you’re going to have to get your grades where they should be. A car is a lot of responsibility. If you can’t be bothered to take care of business at school, then you can’t be trusted with a car.”

No one had talked to her like that in forever. Becca was both thrilled and annoyed, which felt really good.

“You’re not the boss of me,” she said automatically.

“In this case, I am. It’s my time so it’s my rules. If you want my help, then you will get Bs or better in all your classes.”

“No problem.”

“I want proof.”

“What? You don’t trust me?”

“There’s an old saying. Trust but verify. From now until you get your license, you will show me all your test scores. Understood?”

“Yes. I promise.”

“Good. Now let’s go home.”

Becca made the return trip in half the time. She stayed at the speed limit, stopped at the stop signs for a quick count of one-two, then pulled up in front of her house just as her mom drove into the driveway.

They all got out at the same time. Harper turned toward them, then nearly dropped her purse. “What are you doing? Did you drive that car? You didn’t. Oh my God! Becca, no. Do you know what a car like that costs? Lucas, I swear, what were you thinking? No one asked me. Where’s your father? Weren’t you supposed to be practicing with him? I feel sick.”

Lucas shook his head. “She gets real wound up.”

“She does. I worry about her.”

“You should.” Lucas walked toward the SUV. “It’s fine, Harper. Terence couldn’t make it so I took Becca out for a practice session. Everything was fine and if it’s all right with you, I’m going to help her get in her practice hours.”

“Not in that car. There is absolutely no way.”

“I have insurance.”

“And a deductible!”

She started to say something else, but her phone rang. She touched her Bluetooth earpiece and said brightly, “This is Harper.”

Becca sighed. There was no talking to her mother now. Not when she was on with a client—and she was always on with a client.

Chapter Six (#u85d27302-be68-5d93-8bf7-c5d87ea4b5ac)

HARPER POURED ANOTHER cup of coffee. It was only seven in the morning and she was already exhausted. Of course a lot of that could be because she hadn’t slept much the previous night. She’d been up finishing the gift bags. Honest to God, she needed to grow a pair and stand up to that woman.

“Mom, we have to talk about my driving lessons.”

Harper drank more coffee as she turned to look at her daughter. Becca sat at the table, a faithful Jazz at her side. The dog had sure figured out who loved her the most. If Becca was home, Jazz was right there with her.

Driving! How was that possible? Becca was supposed to still be seven. Only she wasn’t. She was turning seventeen in the summer and talking about college. Harper swore silently. Her daughter was going to be heading off to college in less than eighteen months and she was making what, two dollars an hour on stupid gift bags?

The weight of failure threatened to make her topple over. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She was supposed to have it all together. Had going into business for herself been a mistake? She didn’t think so, but if it wasn’t the job, then she was the problem and she sure didn’t want to hear that.