Page 148 of Like a Power Play
Darcy Cole voted on a poll you’re tagged in.
I click on it, skimming the census. A frown tugs at my lips as I open our thread and send her another message.
ME
You voted for the wrong one. Mine is number 3.
That one is Avery’s.
KIM POSSIBLE
I have a moral obligation to stay unbiased. His is objectively the best.
ME
That is so fucked up.
KIM POSSIBLE
Rules are rules.
Even Jay Gatsby would be impressed.
ME
Who is that? The architect?
KIM POSSIBLE
Did you take eleventh grade english?
ME
Okay now you’re just being mean.
And of course I did. It’s just that Bailey did all my summer reading annotations so I would do her pre-calc.
KIM POSSIBLE
Why am I not surpri
I don’t get to finish reading Darcy’s message before I’m cut off by Avery dropping Pumpkin into my arms. I frown, cradling the yeasty little beast as my eyes meet his.
“She needs Auntie time,” he explains.
Beside him, Mr. Bubbles nuzzles into his leg. One extremely irritating thing about my brother? He’s basically Snow-fucking-White. Animals are obsessed with him. Since he got here yesterday, Mr. Bubbles has spent more time curled up in Avery’s lap than mine.
He’s a dog thief.
“You do realize I have to take him back to school with me?” I say, pointing at my dog with my chin. Avery glances down at him, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he scratches behind the pup’s ears just right to entice a groan out of him.
“We’ll see.”
My gaze flicks around the room, catching on my dad who is now admiring his trophy case, as expected. He always gets nostalgic about his time in the league when he’s tipsy. I huff a laugh, drawing Avery’s attention. We both stand there, side by side, watching.
“Reminiscing the good ol’ days,” Avery mumbles, still petting Bubbles on the head. A sad smile tugs at my mouth.
“Yeah, that might be the both of us soon,” I say. It’s supposed to be a joke, but the way it comes out, Avery can tell that I mean it. His eyes flick over to me, only briefly, before he looks back to Dad.
