Page 38 of The Brat: Prequel

“I thought it was so you’d prove to Camille and Inessa that you had no intention of following in their footsteps.”

I pout. “Am I so obvious?”

“You’re just young, Victoria.” He chucks me under the chin. “Don’t wish that away. Soon enough, you’ll be my age and you’ll have a million responsibilities to shoulder.”

That has me considering him. “Does it ever get to be too much, Uncle C?”

“Nah. Most of the time, it’s fun. Just not when I have to speak to hockey players who are angling for a raise and have no concept of what a salary cap is.”

I chortle. “Let me handle them.”

He smirks. “Lead the way.”

SIXTEEN

THE SHAYSTER

Victoria: Have you ever heard of the Veronians?

Shay: Is Veronia someplace in Europe?

Victoria: Nope. It’s a group of something. People. Shitty people.

Shay: Huh.

Shay: I don’t think so. Want me to ask Dad?

Shay: Aren’t you at that fundraiser?

Victoria: Yeah, I snuck out to use the restroom. We’re on the final stretch lol. Almost home

Victoria: Where are you?

Shay: Working on that essay on the importance of journalistic freedom in a successful democracy with Auntie Savannah

Victoria: Oh, perfect! I thought you might have finished up by now. Uncle Aidan must be cursing you.

Shay: He had to go out somewhere. They kiss too much. I thought my folks did, but I went to use the bathroom, came back, and I swear he was about to, well, you know, in the kitchen

Victoria: They’re adults. They’re allowed to fuck wherever they want

Shay: Not when their nephew’s within earshot!

Victoria: You’re just jealous. You have a crush on Savannah.

Shay: I do not!

Victoria: Sure you do. ‘Ohh, Savannah, you’re soooooooo right. You’re sooo smart. Can you help me with my homework? I’ll only get an A+ on my owwwwn.’

Shay:

Victoria: Honestly, I’m just glad the crush on me and Inessa died a death

Victoria:

Shay: We agreed never to bring up that phase EVER again

Victoria: I don’t remember that agreement lol