❝Why do always call me Cherry?❞
❝Because your lips taste like Cherries.❞
When teenage supervillain Havoc stands up to the head of the League of Villains, Colby Madden's family is forced to change their identities and relocate to a sleepy Texas subur...
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𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐀'𝐒 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐊𝐄𝐏𝐓 blasting through the phone—loud, sharp, and horrified—even while the call was muted. Aveline held the phone like it was a bomb about to explode. Colby, sitting on the bed beside her, had his hands clasped together like a terrified choir boy.
"You gotta unmute her eventually," he whispered.
Aveline glared at him. "Why? She sounds so peaceful muted."
"Avey," Colby murmured, bumping her shoulder, "just... rip the band-aid off."
She sighed, bracing herself, and tapped "unmute."
"AVELINE ROSE JAMES!" Celia's voice boomed instantly. "WHAT is this foolishness online?! What is that boy doing on top of you kissing like he was starving to death?! And why—WHY—can I see your entire collarbone and half your torso?! Lord have mercy!"
Colby straightened up fast. "Hi, Mrs. Celia—ma'am—grandma—hi."
"Don't you 'hi' me," Celia snapped. "You! Back up. I want both of you to take three giant steps away from each other. Go on. Move."
Aveline blinked. "Grandma—"
"Don't test me," Celia said, narrowing her eyes. "Step. Back."
Colby nearly tripped over the comforter trying to get to the opposite wall. Aveline took her steps slower, muttering under her breath.
"Good," Celia said, folding her arms in victory. "Now I can speak without picturing you two... rolling around like you were auditioning for a romance movie."
Aveline slapped her palm to her forehead. "Grandma, please. I beg. Stop."
Colby raised his hand shyly. "I can leave the room if—"
"No," Celia cut in. "You stay right there. You are half the reason my grandbaby is suddenly acting grown."
Colby froze like a statue.
"And," Celia continued, "half the reason she smiles lately, which is the only reason I'm not marching up there right this second."
Aveline's shoulders softened for a moment—but then snapped back in embarrassment. "Wait—Grandma. Why do you even HAVE TikTok!?"
Celia scoffed. "Because I had to get it! Someone had to keep an eye on you after you started sneaking off and getting... bold... with your little superhero boyfriend!"
Aveline groaned. "I'm not bold."
Celia raised one eyebrow so high it almost disappeared.
"Okay, maybe a little bold," Aveline muttered. She pointed at Colby. "But that's his fault."
