Free The Write Stuff by Tiffany King Page B

Zachary and Tony were on the front lawn tossing a football while Zachary's forever girlfriend, Ashley, sat on the porch swing reading a book.
    Zachary gave me a crushing one-armed hug. "What did you bring for dessert?"
    " Nice try. I know for a fact it was your turn to bring dessert. I hope it's something decadent and super rich. I've been holed up in my apartment for two days and my sweet tooth is weeping from neglect."
    " Lucky for you, Ash made her famous Hershey's chocolate bar brownies. If you're good, maybe I'll share," he teased, rubbing the top of my head with his knuckles.
    I squirmed away before he could do any more damage . "Douche-breath," I grumbled, trying to smooth my hair.
    " Zach, you know she doesn't like that," Tony said, chastising him as he pulled me in for a quick hug before placing a wet finger in my ear.
    " Gah, are you two ever going to grow up?" I swung at him, but he was too quick and easily darted out of the way. I stomped toward the porch, glaring at them both.
    Ashley shook her head sympathetically as I climbed the porch steps. "Your brothers."
    " Hey, Ash." I greeted her with a hug that didn't involve noogies or wet willies. "I know, right? Mom should have given them back when they were born. I now know why some species eat their young."
    Ashley laughed . She and Zachary had been dating long enough for her to know how things worked in my family. She knew deep down we all loved each other, even if at times I wanted to bury them in a shallow grave. "What are you reading?" I asked, trying to catch a glimpse of the cover.
    " That one you picked up for me at your last book event." She moved her hand to show me the cover of my friend Melissa Brown's newest book.
    " Oh, that's such a good book. I read the entire thing during my flight from Chicago last month.
    " I'd believe it," Ash chuckled. "I just started it this morning and I'm almost done. The writing is flawless."
    " I agree. Plus, the storyline is freaking amazing."
    She stood from the porch swing to follow me inside. "How's your book coming along?"
    I shot her a smile. Ash was a beta reader for me , which meant she was one of the first people to read my books and give suggestions on the story before release. Some writers used more beta readers than others, but Olivia and Ash worked perfectly for me. I figured too many cooks in the kitchen would ruin the meal. "Funny you should ask. I actually finished it last night," I told her, smiling broadly when she jumped up and down like a kid in a candy store. Hopefully that enthusiasm would carry over when she read it. Wicked Lovely was different from my previous work, and I was worried about my readers' reactions to it.
    She rubbed her hands together greedily. "When do I get it?"
    I waited to answer as Mom engulfed me in a delicate hug that smelled like her favorite perfume. It was a scent she had worn for as long as I could remember. Dad made sure to replenish her supply every Valentine's Day. "You look tired," she said, staring me in the face.
    I rolled my eyes. Her mom radar was always on. "I don't know why," I lied easily.
    Ash chuckled behind me, earning her the same look I had given my brothers outside . No book for you, I mouthed. Her expression went from humorous to horrified in an instant.
    Mom was too busy clucking over the bags under my eyes to pay attention to our exchange. "Why do you look peaked? Are you eating right?"
    " Mom, you just saw me last Sunday. How could I have completely fallen apart in one week?"
    She held me at arm 's length, studying my face intently. "A mother knows. You're working too hard. You have to stop pushing yourself like this."
    " I know, Mom, but believe me, I'm fine. I just haven't slept all that well the last few nights, that's all." Of course, I neglected to mention the reason why I hadn't been sleeping. There was no way I would admit the source of my insomnia was a guy. That was a can of worms I wasn't willing to open. I gave her a quick peck on the cheek to