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Thirty-Seven

Dimitri

It’s a Four Families dinner, plus Alana. This time, we’re at Thiago’s house. Over the past two years, he’s bought his family home, increased security, and updated the flooring. He’s come into more money than the rest of us. The gaming company is really taking off.

The grandparents sit out on the back porch and the kids are in the basement, which leaves my generation in the kitchen. It’s loud and chaotic—wine glasses clink on the countertops, instrumental versions of pop hits play through a Bluetooth speaker, and Lance can’t keep his hands off Izzy. He’s always touching her, like he’s in a constant state of magnetism.

Waverly brought the tattoo artist she’s been seeing. I’ve got an appointment with him to clean up the Octopus tattoo. She officially bought the hotel and I suggested she update the cameras and put better locks on the doors. I do feel a little bad about fucking Katya on what would be Waverly’s desk. I’ve been debating if I should say anything about it.

“Uh oh, here comes trouble,” Lance says, taking a swig from his beer.

I follow his gaze to see what he’s looking at. It’s the kids.

Shae strides into the kitchen, clutching a laptop to her chest, her chin held high. She leads the way for the rest of the group. Maria, the youngest, struggles to push a bowl of chips out of the way to make space on the counter. Drew, Izzy’s son, helps by moving the bowl, some dip, and a plate of cheese—grabbing a few bites on the side. Ian stands behind Shae, peering over her shoulder as she sets up the laptop and faces it toward us.

“Can we have your attention, please?” Shae says.

While I wasn’t talking and easily gave her mine, the rest of the adults continue their conversations.

Maria isn’t having it. “Excuse me! Shae would like your attention!” she bellows.

The room quiets, conversations fading into silence. Drew shakes his head and Ian rolls his eyes, but the two of them are clearly on board with this.

Shae presses a button on the laptop, and the screen flashes on. A title appears: “Why We Should Go to the Amanda Chase Concert.”

Shae clears her throat. “Over the course of this very professional presentation, you will learn five reasons why we should attend the Amanda Chase concert.”

Ian presses the spacebar, advancing the slide as Shae paces. “Reason one,” she intones, like she’s been speaking to eager audiences for years, “Amanda Chase is a lyrical genius, and her music is studied at the top universities in the world.”

Ian presses the spacebar again, and an image of a man in a cap and gown pops up with a speech bubble saying, “I’m smart, and I like Amanda Chase.”

A few chuckles ripple through the room.

Shae seems undeterred. “Reason two: Amanda Chase raises more money for charity than most other musicians. Seeing her concert would literally benefit the world.”

The next slide features an animated frog hugging the planet. I don’t get it, but Ian and Drew laugh like it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever seen.

“Reason three: Family bonding,” Shae announces. “I plan to bring Ian and Drew, and Maria wants to bring Olivia.” A picture of the kids at a pool over the summer appears. “As we get older, we might start to drift apart. This will create one shared memory for all of us.”

Pulling at the heartstrings. Not sure how effective that’ll be.

The next slide shows Amanda Chase holding a bunch of awards, with a few extras digitally added, floating around her head. “Reason four: She’s an excellent role model,” Shae says. Maria takes over, pushing the spacebar herself. “Reason five: Shae and I share a birthday month, so it can be our gift!”

The screen shows a dancing present with giant eyes.

Shae stops and watches the adults. There’s a second of resignation on her face as her fingers hover over the keyboard. She reaches to press the spacebar again, but Maria grabs her hand. “No, don’t!”

“We have to. Aunt Alana isn’t convinced,” Shae replies, tipping her head toward Alana, who’s sitting at the counter with her usual unimpressed expression.

Maria whimpers into Drew’s chest. “Please don’t.”

Drew places a hand on Maria’s shoulder. “Sorry, but we’ve got no choice.”

Maria turns and letting out a muffled wail. Drew pats her back and glares at Thiago across the room. “I’m sure Santa will still bring you something.” The overprotective iciness in Drew’s voice shoots across the room like a dagger, and a warning toward Thiago.

Shae exhales and presses the spacebar one last time. A Christmas tree appears, shaking its... well, I assume it’s supposed to be its ass. Cartoon tree anatomy is confusing.

“And this can be our Christmas gift too!” Shae declares.