A/N: Okay, yeah.. Here’s something new, AGAIN. This started out as something not quite this dark, but that changed somehow.. Now it’s... This. Just read it, okay? Oh yeah, the title will likely be changed. I’m not too sure I like it. Anyways...

Worst Nightmare

Prologue

--

Annie says:
Are you sure the kids should meet?

Scott says:
Why not? I thought you wanted them to.

Annie says:
I do, I do. I’m not sure how they’ll get along.

Scott says:
You definitely don’t need to worry about Cassidy, she gets along with just about everybody. I wish I could say the same for Jordan, but sadly, she’ll be a pain to both of us, probably.

Annie says:
She’s still unhappy about her parents moving on with their lives? After eight years?

Scott says:
No, I think it’s the change that bothers her more than anything else. She’s a smart, tough girl: she’ll adapt.

Annie says:
Well, if you’re sure...

Scott says:
I am, don’t worry. I want them to meet you and your kids, too.

Annie says:
All right... lol So when should we all meet?

Scott says:
How about Saturday night? There’s a little family-type restaurant here in town that we could all go to, and the prices are decent.

Annie says:
Sounds good. See you Saturday, then.

Scott says:
I’m looking forward to it.

--

Jordan read silently, though her lips moved soundlessly, forming the words as she read them. Every word she read deepened her frown, narrowed her eyes further, and made her even angrier with her father.

After reading the last word of the online conversation her father had foolishly left on the computer monitor for her to see, she hmphed angrily, shoved her hands into the pocket of the oversized black hoodie she wore and stood, marching the few steps down the hall to the open bathroom door where her father stood at the sink, shaving and humming to himself.

Scowling, Jordan demanded, “Who’s Annie?”

Scott looked at his youngest daughter’s expression in the mirror, then sighed as he rinsed his razor. I should have closed the conversation window, he thought dryly before facing the angry – no, furious – seventeen-year-old in front of him. Though handsome, Scott Metcalf always seemed to have a tired look about him, and whether this was because of his work hours – four in the afternoon to twelve-thirty am, five days a week – or the constant tribulations his daughter presented, no one was really certain.

“She’s a woman I’ve been seeing–”

“No, really? And here I thought she was your second cousin. Thanks for that revealing bit of info, Dad.” She rolled her eyes as she said it, leaning against the doorjamb as she persisted, “Why do we have to meet her and her brat kids?”

Scott frowned. Kind maybe to a fault, he had nursed a soft spot for his younger daughter for some time now. Though Cassidy had anticipated her parents’ divorce and dealt with it as well as could be expected, Jordan had been caught completely unawares and had dealt with her hurt through anger, just as she dealt with anything new and potentially upsetting. All the same, as a father, Scott could only allow her to push him so far.

“I want you and your sister to meet Annie and her kids because I value your opinions and want to know what you think, and because we agreed it isn’t fair to keep you kids from meeting each other when we may be seeing each other for a while. You’re going, Jordan, and if you don’t behave yourself I swear I’ll take you over my knee and spank you like a little baby.”

It was an empty threat and they both knew it, but the gist of the message was clear. Jordan scowled again as she turned to go. “Fine, but don’t think I’m going to make this easy on you, Dad,” she warned before pivoting gracefully on one heel and walking away. Scott waited until he heard the door slam, knowing Jordan would be gone for several hours on a walk to clear her mind, then resumed shaving, though he no longer hummed. Instead he wondered what to do with Jordan until he heard Cassidy return from walking her dog. He smiled as he heard her teasing the dog playfully.

Cassidy appeared in the doorway and gave her father an apologetic smile as she removed her coat. “Didn’t go too well, I take it?” she asked gently in her warm, musical voice as she hung up her coat in the closet across the hall.

Scott glanced at her, his greenish-brown eyes flickering affectionately. “What do you think?” he asked wryly.

“I think Jordan’s pissed,” she called from the next room, a trace of humour in her voice.

Scott studied his reflection in the bathroom mirror, then sighed.

“You’re a mind reader, sweetheart.”

--

A/N: So... please review.. It’ll get more interesting/edgy as it goes on. Like by the third or fourth chapter. Just please review, okay??

- LL