Page 129 of The Bronze Garza

Appeased by that, she smiles lovingly and turns to leave.

Feeling peckish, I set my laptop aside and follow her out, glancing back over my shoulder just in time to see Dad drop his head in his hands.

Something’s definitely going on that he isn’t telling me about.

“What did you do to make him so angry at you?” Eloise asks when I enter the kitchen behind her. “I do not like how cranky he has been since we got back.”

Hmm. So Dad didn’t tell her about Torin and me? “I told him I’m not going back to college,” I fib, grabbing a tangerine and an apple from the fruit basket. Though it’s more of a half-truth than a lie.

“That man. He can be so touchy about you.” She tsks as she gathers ingredients for a sandwich. “You are an heiress to a billion-dollar legacy. There is nothing a college degree can get you that your money cannot. All those people in high places operate on bribes, believe me. Anyone and anything can be bought if you can afford it.”

“That’s true, but I understand why he wants me to do things his way.” I get a bowl and start peeling the tangerine. “He came from nothing, you know. Made something of himself when all the odds were against him.”

“Hmm.” She glances at me as she unwraps a head of lettuce. “Well, have you decided what you will be doing?”

“Not really. But I’ve been trying my hand at writing.”

Another tsk. “That is a hobby, dear. I meant, how will you be building on your father’s legacy?”

“Maybe I’ll turn my stories into movies.” I go to the sink to wash my apple. “Daddy was a screenwriter then director and eventually a producer. There are steps to heights, for people who do things right.” Through the window, I spot Patrick and his on-again-off-again girlfriend, Keri, having a heated conversation outside the pool house across the yard. “I didn’t know Patrick was home today.”

Eloise turns and peers out the window with me. “I do not like that Keri girl. She is no good for him. She is going to break his heart.”

“Love hurts,” I mumble before I take a bite into my apple, then pick up my bowl of pegged tangerines and start out of the kitchen. “Be back in a bit. I’m going to Patrick’s.”

By the time I’ve crossed the yard to the pool house, Keri is already storming off, grumbling something about him being on his own.

Patrick runs his hand through his thick, brown hair and eyes me as I approach.

“On the rocks again?” I ask around a bite of fruit.

He throws his hands up and stomps into the pool house. “She’s impossible to please.”

I follow him in. “Got off early today?”

“Uh, yeah. They owed me for a double shift.” He drops down onto the ocean-colored couch in front of the TV and kicks his feet up on the coffee table. “What have you been up to?”

“So, I’ve tried my hand at something.” I plop down next to him and tuck my feet under me. “I’m finishing up a book and was wondering if you could read it and tell me what you think.”

“Youwrote it?” he asks in disbelief. “By yourself?”

“Yes,” I say through a laugh. His expression is hilarious. “It’s something I was doing to pass the time but ended up loving it. It made me feel...I don’t know...zen, I guess.”

“Damn, little sis. You are damn right I’m going to read the hell out of it.” He hooks an arm around my neck and pulls my face down to his armpit.

“Arrgh! You jerk!” I shriek, shoving him away. He always catches me off-guard with that.

He throws his head back and laughs hysterically.

I pelt a tangerine peg at him. “Asshole.”

“Come here, you little whiner.” He pulls me to him and I rest my head on his shoulder before taking another bite of apple. “How have you been holding up?”

“Better. Writing has really been helping,” I say. “It’s a good place to channel all my emotions when I feel overwhelmed.”

“Good. Keep at it then.” He steals one of my pegs. “I noticed Holly has not been over in a while. Is everything all right with you two?”

“I’ve no idea. She’s been acting a little weird since the accident. And I just don’t feel like chasing her anymore.”