Page 58 of The Brat: Prequel
“I didn’t think you’d go all Elle Woods on me, Victoria.”
My lips curve. “Oh, ye of little faith, Brennan. I’ll turn them. Wait and see.”
Why do I get the feeling they know exactly what I’m going to do? Is it Savannah or Conor who looped them in on—
“Turn them how?”
I tap my nose. “From capitalistic propagators to—”
“Fuck my life,” he interrupts, then motions outside the kitchen window where a terrace and a pool sparkle in the near distance. “If I get another call from the dean about you turning people into tree huggers, I’ll jump off that balcony.”
“How didn’t I know you were so melodramatic, B?” I tuck the envelope under my arm.
“Because my life got infinitely harder when you became an adult.”
Surging onto tiptoe, I kiss his cheek. “You love me really.”
He huffs but gifts me a one-armed hug before letting me loose.
“My life got harder too by the way,” Eoghan comments.
I arch a brow at him. “You hate it when I hug you.”
“Maybe I missed you when you were away at college.”
I squeal and dart over to him. “I knew you would!” I smack a kiss on his cheek, tackle him into a hug as I forcibly rock him from side to side, then declare, “I’m the best sister in the world. How couldn’t you miss me?’
He swipes at his cheek. “Inessa kisses that side.”
“I’m sorry I tainted your flesh.” I press a hand to my chest. “You’ll just have to ask her to lick it better later.”
“Huh, good idea.”
“I’m literally full of them. Okay, you two go and conspire to commit murder and I’ll think about the outfit I’m going to wear to pledge.”
Though they both roll their eyes at me, I take it as a win. The second my back’s turned, my smile drops and my brain runs into overdrive.
Shay and I are home for summer break and we’re due to return to Poughkeepsie tomorrow so—
“Victoria, don’t downplay how smart you are. Not for us, honey.”
“Or vicious. Don’t forget that part, Brennan.”
I freeze. Peep over my shoulder. Both brothers shoot me knowing looks. “I’m—”
“No need to lie, either. We’re here if you need us.”
“And I’ll shoot anyone who hurts you,” Eoghan tacks on. “How about that?”
The prickle of tears in my eyes is immediate. “Thanks, guys.”
In an eerily similar move, they both dip their chins at me before all three of us part ways.
That was odd. But nice. Sweet… Also total confirmation that either Savannah or Conor are total sieves with my info.
I reach for my phone.
Me: Who told?
