I turned to Tiffany. “Fine. I’ll do it. I’ll pack enough for me and the kids for a few weeks.”
Tiff’s brows raised to her hairline. “Okay, so maybe being bossy does make you amenable.”
CHAPTER 4
THEO
I checkedmy watch and stomped back to the foot of the stairs. “Zoe, we're going to be late.”
Connor leaned lazily against the wall next to the stairs and rolled his eyes. His dark baggy jeans and oversized T-shirt looked ridiculous, but I was beyond telling him how to dress.
“You should wake her earlier in the morning.”
I resisted the urge to glare at the littlest Snow. The truth was, waking Zoe was the first thing I did every single morning. At least, on school mornings. “You focus on bringing that math grade up and leave your sister to me.”
Besides, there were only a few more weeks of school left before summer break. At least then I wouldn’t need to struggle through this morning routine of shouting and unhappiness.
While Connor stood there scrolling through his phone, I glared at the top of the stairs. I hadn’t yet spoken to them about Maggie and her kids moving in. Breakfast revolved around lecturing my little brother about the importance of math. The problem was that Math was not an elective, which was stupid. So my kid brother had to struggle with it for at least another two years.
Not that Zoe was present for breakfast. Every morning she would come sprinting down the stairs and beg me for money to get a muffin or something at the school’s early morning snack machine.
As if I conjured her by thinking about it, Zoe came running down the stairs, hopping off the last three. “Why are you two standing around? We’re going to be late for school.” She looked me up and down. “Why are you wearing jeans and a T-shirt?”
“We’ll talk about it in the car.” I never wore anything other than a suit to the office. Even if I knew I had no meetings. Nothing less than a tie and jacket.
As usual, Zoe jumped in the back while Connor climbed into the seat next to me.
Since the ride to school was short, I didn’t waste any time. “Maggie is having a little trouble with her ex-husband.” I darted an eye over at my brother and his head flipped to me. “I offered to let her move in with us for a little while.”
“Wait.” Zoe’s head popped between the seats. A smile evident in her voice. “Maggie and the kids?”
“Yup.”
“For how long?” There was far too much glee in her voice.
“Long enough to ensure her ex knows to stay away from her and her children.”
“So, indefinitely?” Zoe seemed to be having fun questioning me.
“Yup. Are you okay with that?”
She let out a little laugh. “Are you?”
Connor frowned at me. “More importantly, is she? You two seem to piss each other off a lot.”
I rolled my eyes at both of them. “Her priority is keeping her kids away from that asshole. And of course, I’m okay with it. Why wouldn’t I be? We have a whole separate wing that is not being used.”
Zoe shook her head next to me. “I’m okay with it. If nothing else it would be fun having a front row seat to this drama.”
“Her husband being out of prison is not a drama for your entertainment.” I scowled at my sister and then turned back to the road as I pulled into the school’s drop off lane. “She is having a tough time.”
“Maggie is the sweetest of all the Bauman sisters. I would never make fun of her troubles.” Zoe bit back a smile. “But if you think that is the biggest drama around, you really are clueless. You have my okay, by the way. If that was what you were looking for.”
I darted a quick gaze to Connor as stopped the car. “And you?”
“She can cook. Always has snacks ready when we stay with Tiff. She’s solid in my book.” My brother opened his door and climbed out. “Bye.”
At least, teenage boys’ priorities were consistent.
