Page 50 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
“You’re in big trouble,” Cassidy cried out—at him or the cat, he wasn’t sure.
“Robbie—”
He started beating his mattress with the pillow. “Come out you little—”
“Hey!”Tim practically shouted as a streak of white fur raced out of the room with an angry meow.
“You chicken,” Robbie cried, taking off after the cat.
Tim stepped in front of him before he could leave the room. “Stop this! You know when you asked us to hit you when you started acting like an idiot? We’re there. Except the cherub is watching so I can’t clock you. Get ahold of yourself.”
He ground his teeth. “Cover Cassidy’s ears.”
Tim shook his head and stood his ground. “No. If you give in to old tendencies now, it’s going to resurrect old patterns. You’re an adult. Use your nice words.”
If a child hadn’t been present, he would have picked his baby brother up and hauled him into the shower and hosed him down. But Cassidy was still smiling and drooling, her light brown curls sticking up all over her head, clearly amused by the situation.
Was Miss Purrfect like this at home?
“Look, that cat not only vomited beside my pillow, but it hissed at me in the shower!” He forced a tight smile at Cassidy as she babbled. “That feline is totally out of control. Is she like this at your house, Cassidy?”
She laughed and nodded. “Yep, with Daddy.”
Okay, that made him feel like total shit. He spun away. Now he was in the same category as a suspected money launderer and home-wrecker. Terrific.
“Out of the mouths of babes.” Tim was clearly trying hard not to grin, and it made Robbie’s teeth hurt. “I’m telling you, Robbie. Feed her or cuddle her. That’s the only way you’re going to bond with Miss Purrfect and get over this battle. Because look at you. Beating a mattress with a pillow like a— Don’t make me say it. Right, Cassidy?”
His brother nuzzled Cassidy’s neck, making her shriek with laughter as she cried, “Miss Purrfect loves cuddles. Like me.”
He was not cuddling some stupid cat. But he could fight the urge to glare at his brother. Cassidy might get scared.
“Do you need a hug?” Tim’s mouth tilted into a grin.
“You’re lucky you have a human shield.” He went over to his bed and started ripping off the bedsheets, his nose scrunching at the smell. “Great! Now I’m going to have to wash these.”
“Housework is never done.” Tim gave Cassidy a smacking kiss on the side of her neck. “You finish up and then join us on the beach. Your lady friend is all freshly showered and ready to give her next surfing lesson. Billie is already out there with Reagan, talking to Summer and Clarice. Oh, and by the way, Miss Purrfectcanopen doors.”
“Sh—” He was proud he’d broken off mid-curse before Tim could open his mouth. “Tara would have a smart cat.”
“Miss Purrfect is so smart,” Cassidy said, sending him a shy smile. “Like me.”
“I’ve yet to meet a dumb feline.” Tim glanced at his shorts. “We’re changing into our swimsuits, aren’t we, Cassidy? You might do the same, Robbie.”
“I haven’t checked out the jellyfish situation yet.”
Tim made Cassidy into a human airplane and headed toward the door while she made the corresponding buzzing sounds. “You’re not the only one with eyes. Besides, the water looks better today. Didn’t you notice on your run, or were you looking at other things?”
He glowered at his brother.
“Plus, we’ll be in there with them,” Tim continued with a laugh. “Robbie, nothing is going to happen to the girls. You might take a minute and calm yourself down.”
He took a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll see you shortly. But that cat had better not mess with me, or I’m telling you, I’m locking it outside.”
“Don’t do that,” Cassidy burbled out. “Miss Purrfect sleeps with me.”
Tim planted a kiss on her cheek as his eyes blazed with disapproval in Robbie’s direction. “He’s just kidding, sweetheart. Now, let’s go change into a swimsuit and find your princess wand. Maybe you can make fish appear in the water.”
“I want a whale!” Cassidy cried out.
