Page 7 of The Stud

Picture ready at the literal lift of a phone.

Thankfully, I neverwantedthat trophy style title.

Not when we were kids.

Not when we were teens.

And damn sure not now that we’re adults.

Audreylivesto be everyone’s perfect snapshot princess while Iliveto burn down her kingdom one hashtag defying comment at a time.

Huh.

I can totally see howImight get branded the evil one, but that’s just an unfair assessment.

It’s the whole don’t judge the dude who arrives in front of the stone thing.

You can’t always see a person’s worthiness just like you can’t always see a person’sworthlessness.

However, she doesn’t exactly keep hers hidden.

“Same goes for you,mi princesa.” Dad leans back in his cushioned seat and wraps his tattooed golden honey arm around the back of our mom’s chair. “Morekindness,lessindifference.”

There’s no stopping my head from falling sassily to one side. “Do you know what that word means, or does it have too many syllables for you?”

“Arden,” our mom hisses again, although this time I swear it’s to stop herself from smirking.

“Why won’t you guys buy me a hockey team?” I playfully inquire while picking up a blueberry from my bowl. “I ask forsolittle in this family.” Bear releases a light huff that causes me to flick my finger in his direction. “See.” Tossing him the small piece of fruit is followed by me grabbing another one for myself. “Even Bear agrees.”

“Your fat dog just wanted food,” gags the DNA curse across from us.

His immediate response of craning his neck forward and snarling has me victoriously smirking. “He’s not fat. He’s fluffy.”

“Yeah, and that plumpkin pie your captain is banging-”

“Married.”

“-is just retaining water.”

“Pregnant.”

“Why are you so bitchy today?” Mom swiftly investigates between sips of her mimosa. “Did they cancel your stylist appointment again?”

“Pushed back,” Audrey dramatically grouses. “Like I don’t have a busy schedule.”

“You don’t,” effortlessly leaves me as I offer my dog another bite.

“For your information-”

“I could live without that information.”

“I. Do.”

“Doubtful.”

She lets the corners of her lips curl upward in a way that threatens to have me choking on the cherry I’m now nibbling on. “I start my new job with The Dragons tomorrow.”

Violent coughing is instantly initiated, which pulls a victorious smirk onto her face.

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