I brace for impact as we roll into the driveway and Cricket shifts the van into park. The front door swings open as she and I grab my bags out of the back and carry them to the front stoop.

“Knew you’d come crawling home eventually, and here you are.”

Karma’s voice should sound exactly like Cricket’s, but years of bitterness, starting when she was a kid and wanted a pony but Jackie couldn’t afford one, have turned it hard and mean. She leans against the door, not moving out of the way, even though it’s clear we’re headed inside.

I stop before the stairs and release the handle of one suitcase. “Hey, Karma. It’s good to see you.”

Her lip curls. “You look like LA chewed you up and kicked you to the curb.” Her gaze drops to my suitcase. “But you managed to make it out with your fancy luggage, didn’t you?”

“Really? That’s how you’re going to say hello after ten freaking years? You’re a cunt.” Cricket holds nothing back when it comes to her twin.

Karma’s tawny gaze shifts to her sister as she glares. “Takes one to know one. You’re just all high-and-mighty because you’re locking down Hunter Havalin’s dick. I guess I should’ve taken him for a ride when I had the chance.”

I step back like I’m trying to escape the cloud of venom she emits. It should be impossible for two people who look exactly alike to be so completely different.

“I’m not sure what planet you’re living on, but you never had a chance with Hunter. He knew you were a ho from minute one. Now, why don’t you swallow back that bitterness and get out of the damn way so we can take Whitney’s stuff inside.”

“And where exactly is she going to sleep? If you don’t recall, you’re sleeping on the couch when you’re here, because we don’t have any more room.”

“Maybe if you’d keep your legs closed, we wouldn’t have that problem,” Cricket fires back with a hard shot.

“Bitch.”

“Whore.”

I step in because I’m afraid there’s going to be bloodshed if I don’t. There certainly was in the past. “Okay, enough of the sisterly bonding. I’ll take the floor in the living room. It’s not a big deal. I just need somewhere to crash while I figure things out. If that’s not cool with Aunt Jackie, I’ll get a cheap hotel.” I don’t have the funds to afford it, but right now, I’m not sure I want to be in the same house with Karma and her ugliness.

“There’s a shed out back with a futon Mom used to use for her art projects. There should be room for you and your shit.” Karma shoves a toe against my carry-on and knocks it over.

I bite my tongue because it’s not going to do me any good to be outraged. It’s just luggage. I didn’t even want the stuff, but Ricky got so focused on appearances, he wouldn’t hear of his wife showing up with American Tourister and embarrassing him.