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Amanda frowns. “On stage? But you never go on stage.”

“Well, these kids are making a reasonable request, and I don’t want to piss off that Alana lady.”

Amanda utters a sigh of defeat. “Fine. It’s just that I’m going to put on a two-hour show, and the only thing the internet will talk about is the four minutes you’re on stage.”

He rolls his eyes at her. “In the past hour, there’s been all sorts of purple smoke clouds all over the world.” He lifts up his phone. “Oh, and the Chief of Staff just resigned. No one is going to give a shit about me.” He freezes. “Sorry about the language.”

Shae rolls her eyes. “My dad is in the Irish Mafia. Yes, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard a bad word before.”

Ian nudges Shae in the ribs, and she realizes where she misstepped. “Oh crap.”

But the new revelation only bolsters Grae’s determination. “Yep, we’re singing the song. It’s happening. Don’t want to piss off anyone today. I don’t like tempting fate too much.”

The official looking woman on the other side of the room steps onto frame and speaks to the celebrities. “Amanda, would you like to meet your new personal protection agent? She starts in two weeks.”

Amanda beams. “Yes, please, Macie!”

Macie waves at me to come forward. No, there has to be someone else. It can’t possibly be me. I look around, but I’m the only one she’s pointing to. I step into the frame. Oh my god, do I look okay? Is there any blood splatter on me?

“Hi!” I wave, and she waves back.

“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m almost done with the tour, so I can’t wait to be home and never leave ever again. I’m sure that will make your life so much easier.” She smiles at me. I’m making Amanda Chase smile!

Hold onto this feeling.

Enjoy it.

“Um, yeah, I can’t wait to protect you with my life.”

Someone else comes into the room—probably her manager—and tells both Amanda and Grae they need to wrap things up. “Well, we’ve got to get going. Thank you so much for being fans, and just being generally awesome badass kids.”

The kids wave and cheer, while I’m so starstruck, it’s hard to understand what happened today. The call ends and I’m pretty sure I just died of joy.

Alana comes in, fully clean, and wearing black pants and a Mastodon Security T-shirt. “Well, what did you think?” she asks, leaning against the doorframe.

The kids wrap their arms around her. “You’re the best!”

She does something I’ve never, ever seen, and I didn’t think was possible. She smiles, and she’s just as stunning as Amanda Chase. It’s like everything about her becomes lighter and joyful.

“Drew, are you done being a butthead?”

“Yes, Alana.”

She squeezes his shoulder. “Okay, here’s the plan. Ian’s going to the dentist, and when he gets back, it’s a sleepover at Shae’s house, where we’ll all snuggle up on the couches in the basement and watch the Amanda Chase concert. How does that sound?”

The kids cheer.

“Why Shae’s house?” Maria asks.

“Because I live in a tiny apartment and Shae’s dad is the only one with an entertainment system worth a damn. Cool?”

The kids agree. But Maria steps forward and squeezes Alana’s hand. “Can we still get Christmas presents?”

“Sure,” Alana agrees and claps her hands. “Okay. Drew, your mom and Lance are going on their trip now, so go say bye, and you’ll see them on Monday.” He nods and rushes out the door. The girls, despite their age difference, huddle in the corner together, planning important sleepover events. Alana reaches her arm out for Ian, who takes it as she leads him over to Dimitri and me. “Do you remember Katya?”

Ian stares blankly at Alana. “You mean Dad’s secret girlfriend I’m not supposed to know about, but you update me constantly about their relationship?”

“Yes.” She points to me.