Chapter 32

CHAPTER32

March

Releasing a shaky breath, Mikey took in the large canisters of flour and sugar before moving on to the stack of egg cartons, the gallon jug of vanilla extract, the bags of powdered sugar, cocoa, and-

“Let’s do this,” Mikey said with a firm nod as she reached for her apron, only to rethink that decision when she remembered the unfortunate incident that occurred last week when she was taking brownies out of the oven and reached for Sebastian’s apron instead.

“What exactly are we doing?” her mother asked, looking confused as she followed Mikey’s gaze to the ingredients that she’d set up on the kitchen island before that look of confusion turned into terror when Mikey said, “Helping you.”

“Sebastian!” her mother rushed out almost desperately.

“Is probably busy,” Mikey said, keeping her gaze locked on the mission ahead as she tied the apron around her waist, determined to do whatever it took to make this happen.

“Wouldn’t you rather sleep in late?” her mother suggested with a hopeful smile.

“Sleep is for the weak,” Mikey said as she reached for a mixing spoon and-

“Wouldn’t you rather spend the day with your father instead?” came the panicked question as Reese walked into the kitchen carrying his toolbelt.

“I’m listening,” Mikey said as her hand stilled over the mixing spoon.

“He’s helping Aunt Kenzie renovate a house and they’re going to need a supervisor,” her mother said, only to follow that up by mouthing, “I’m sorry,” when Reese shot her a panicked look that Mikey chose to ignore at the moment.

“What would this job entail?” Mikey murmured as she considered her options.

“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?” Reese asked, throwing her a questioning look as he set his toolbelt down on the small table by the door.

“I need money to pay off my bookie or he’s going to break my legs,” Mikey said with a sad shake of her head.

“I can see why that would be a problem,” Reese said, chuckling as her mother reached over and discreetly pulled the mixing spoon away before Mikey could put it to good use.

“Which is why I think it would be a good idea for Mikey to spend the day with you,” her mom said as she moved to place the mixing spoon on the kitchen island, only to decide against it when she saw the way that Mikey was watching the move.

“I wish I could, sweetheart, but I don’t want to risk anything happening to Mikey’s hand, not with tryouts this week,” Reese said with a heartfelt sigh that had Mikey nodding.

“That does make sense,” Mikey murmured in agreement as she focused her attention back to whatever it was that they were making and resigned herself to the day ahead.

“Please don’t do this to me,” her mother whispered hoarsely as her panicked gaze shot back to Mikey. Knowing that her mother was just overwhelmed with pure joy at the thought of spending the day together, Mikey took in the ingredients laid out before her and couldn’t help but feel like something was missing.

“What are we making?” Mikey asked, throwing her mother a questioning look.

There was a heavy pause before her mother answered, “Ten dozen chocolate fudge cupcakes.”

Nodding, Mikey made her way to the pantry as she said, “We’re going to need coconut, peanut butter, and marshmallows to spice it up a bit.”

“Oh, god…”

“Shouldn’t you be tormenting Sebastian?” Reese asked, making her bite back a sigh.

“He’s busy,” Mikey said as she reluctantly grabbed everything that she was going to need to take her mother’s recipe to the next level.

“Did you text him?”

“No.”

“Then, how do you know that he’s busy?” came the curious question as Mikey grabbed the canister of brown sugar, deciding that it couldn’t hurt.

“Because he’s always busy.”

* * *

He really neededto learn to move faster, Sebastian thought as he reached over and yanked the spoon out of his sister’s hand before she could follow through with the threat to shove it down Mathew’s-

“Just let me hurt him a little!” Jessica begged as she gave up her hold on the spoon and reached for a pancake and-

“Come on!”

-released a growl of frustration when their father was forced to step in and pull Jessica back before she could finish smothering Mathew with a pancake. That was followed by Braxton grabbing his plate and switching places with Jessica while Mathew pulled the pancake off his face and took a bite with a heartfelt sigh.

“You really need to stop pissing her off,” Sebastian said as he helped himself to another sausage.

“I don’t like to limit myself,” Mathew said, shrugging it off as he grabbed the bottle of pancake syrup.

“Try,” their father said dryly as he placed Jessica on the chair that Braxton abandoned.

“Well, that was fun,” their mother murmured before clearing her throat and going for a warm smile. “So, what’s everyone’s plans for the weekend?”

“Fratricide,” Jessica bit out as she leveled a glare on Mathew that had their brother smiling.

“That does sound like fun,” their mother murmured absently before focusing on Jonathan. “How about you, sweetheart?”

“Besides bringing everyone joy by my mere presence?” Jonathan asked.

“Yes, besides that,” their mother said, gesturing for him to continue as though that was a given.

“I thought I’d make Sebastian’s life a living hell,” Jonathan said with a heartfelt sigh that had their mother murmuring, “That does sound like a lovely plan.”

“Doesn’t it?” Jonathan asked as their mother turned her attention to Braxton.

“Getting ready for tryouts with Mikey,” Braxton said, earning a warm smile.

“What about you, Sebastian?” his mother asked as she shifted her attention to him.

“I was hoping to work with Dad this weekend,” Sebastian said as he glanced at his father.

“You want to gut a house with me instead of sleeping in late and hanging out with Mikey?” his father asked as he shared a look with his mother.

“I could use the extra money,” Sebastian admitted, hoping that his father was able to give him a few hours, otherwise…

“Is everything okay?” his father asked, watching him curiously as he settled back in his chair. “You’ve been working a lot lately.”

“I’m saving up for something,” Sebastian said, hoping that his father would leave it at that.

“And what would that something be?” Jonathan asked, propping his chin onto his fists as he blinked at him. “Is it something pretty?” Jonathan asked with a dreamy little sigh that had Sebastian narrowing his eyes on the little bastard. “I bet it’s pretty.”

“It’s probably for Mikey,” Mathew said, shrugging it off as he helped himself to a sausage off Braxton’s plate, making Braxton sigh as he grabbed another sausage off the platter only to have Jonathan steal that one, too. That was followed by Mathew helping himself to the last piece of bacon off Jessica’s plate.

“Sleep with one eye open tonight,” Jessica bit out as her hand tightened around her fork, clearly struggling with the urge to reach over the table and finish what she’d started.

“Always do,” Mathew said evenly, keeping his gaze locked with his sister as he shoved the last piece of bacon in his mouth.

“As you should,” Jonathan murmured absently as he watched Sebastian with a calculating look in his eye as he added, “I could use some extra money, too,” taking him by surprise.

“Fair enough,” their father said, moving to finish off the rest of his pancake when their mother cleared her throat, drawing their attention to find her looking pointedly at Mathew as he reached over and helped himself to Jessica’s chocolate milk.

Keeping his eyes locked with hers, Mathew took a long sip only to release a curse when Jessica leaped over the table and-

“Be ready in ten,” their father said as he caught Jessica before she could wrap her hands around Mathew’s throat and threw her over his shoulder while Sebastian sat there, wondering what his brother was up to now.