Maddie snorted at the mental image she got of DJ as a dog. “So I guess the mud baths are out, too?” Apart from a nod and a brief glance at the floor, Maddie didn’t show much of an outward reaction to the mention of Gordy, and she was glad (well, more relieved than glad) when the subject of her streaking came up. It gave her something to be offended about. “Please. If I really wanted to go streaking, neither one of you could stop me,” she said, pointing to them both.
“Hey! My matchmaking ideas were great!” She paused when she realized she couldn’t remember any of the women she suggested. “They all had qualities you were looking for! I don’t remember what they were, but I do remember boobs. That’s a big selling point.” She nodded matter-of-factly.
Pasta nicknames. Pasta nicknames. Maddie smirked. “What, so you wouldn’t want us calling you Rigatoni from now on? Or Farfalloni? Or – ooh! – I’ve got it! Gigli!” A pasta and a crappy Jennifer Lopez movie rolled into one. She made a face at Zach when he told them to stop talking about food. “Not my fault you didn’t think to bring us a snack.”
“Yeah, right. I’m only a year older than you are,” Maddie argued, rolling her eyes. “That doesn’t make me old. Definitely makes Zachy old, though.” Her grin returned as she shoved her older brother.
When it was stated, quite obviously, that everyone knew that accident hadn’t been an accident, Maddie assumed an affronted look and planted her hands on her hips. The mischief in her smile was effectively hidden for the first few seconds. Maintaining a poker face was always hardest when it was being aimed at her family. “It was so an accident! What, I can’t laugh at my mistakes? Dad taught us that. Or at least he taught me.”
She had to glance away to hide the fact that she’d lost the struggle against a smile. “You guys are always against me. Just because I’m better at something than you both are doesn’t mean you have to attack me for it.” It was all an act, really. She wasn’t offended and they were both right. She had done it on purpose.
Maddie was so engrossed in her own little world that she didn’t notice at first what was off about Zach’s comment about DJ’s self preservation skills. “You’re just lucky I like causing mayhem in the library. I have no problem snatching books away from you and throwing them across the room.” She nodded. “Let’s go. I’m bored standing here and DJ’s room smells like ass.”