Page 29 of Bonita Brynne
“I hardly notice him.” I wouldn’t rat him out to his mom. “He stays in here while I’m in my room reading.”
“All she does is read,” he grumbled and continued eating.
“Reading is a wonderful hobby. You can escape to far-off places. Go on an adventure.”
“Mhm. That’s what I love about it. Someday, I want to be an author.”
Maddox stopped eating again, but he didn’t look at me this time.
“Ooh, an author would be amazing. What kind of stories do you want to write?” Sugar asked with an excited expression.
“Umm.” I was too embarrassed to tell her I liked romantic fairytales most. Stories where the prince rescues the princess from an evil villain, and they kiss at the end. “I’m not sure. I like all kinds of stories.”
“Well, you don’t have to decide today. You’re young and have plenty of time to decide. Isn’t that right, Maddox?”
“Yeah. She’s just a kid and will probably change her mind a million times before she’s eighteen.”
I wanted to slap him. “I’m ten and almost a teenager.”
He considered me. “You’re almost half my age.” He snorted.
I’d shove his bread down his throat if Sugar wasn’t there. “Oh, so you can do math? That’s great. Can you also read?”
Sugar giggled. “Now, now. No fighting, you two.”
“I’m not fighting. Just curious. I can teach you if you need help.”
He glared at me. “Eat your supper before it gets cold.”
“Maddox,” Sugar said his name in a warning tone.
I loved to rile him up. “You got something on your...” I took my napkin and wiped crumbs off the corner of his pursed lips. “Are all guys messy eaters?” I asked Sugar.
“Some are, I guess.”
“Good to know.” I resumed eating.
“Why?” Maddox turned toward me.
“Because I don’t like gross, messy boys.”
“Okay, subject change.” Sugar opened a container of cookies and passed it to Maddox. “Valerie, your mom and dad will be here in the morning. Would you like to help me bake monkey bread?”
“I thought she had to stay in the family wing?” Maddox asked with a mouth full of chocolate chip cookies. I was sure Maddy had made them. She baked cookies nearly every day.
“I’m sure Storm won’t have a problem with it.”
“Will I see Brynne at the clubhouse? I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Maybe.” Sugar started to clean up the coffee table. “You know, Brynne is your half-sister, right? I’m sure your mom and dad explained things.”
“Sort of, I guess.” I poked my fork at my food.
“And you understand that Brynne and Track aren’t related?”
“Yes, they aren’t brother and sister, but they’re my brother and sister. And Raymond’s. But it doesn’t matter because we’re still family.” I took a bite of bread and passed my container to Sugar to put in her canvas bag.
She wrinkled her forehead. “Yes, you are correct. Well, I need to go check on a few things. I’ll come back before it’s lights out.” She went to the door. “Be nice to each other.”