Page 171 of The Surprise Play

“Yeah, do us all a favor. We just want Satch!”

My eyes bulge and I turn, trying to figure out who just said that.

“Satch! Satch! Satch!”

“W-what are they doing?”

Wily leans down to grin at me. “They want to hear you sing, baby. You up for it?”

I blink, not really sure what to say. No one’s ever chanted my name before. No one’s ever wantedme.

“You sound amazing!” Nylah grabs my attention andpoints to the screen. “Do you know this one?” I nod, and she laughs. “Yes! It’s all you, girl.”

Before I can protest, she presses Play on one of my favorite songs ever, and I just can’t help myself. Closing my eyes, I let the beat kick in, bobbing my head as the music swells… and then words ease into the room smooth as honey.

“When the night… has come…”

The room seems to go still around me, but I keep singing anyway, swaying to “Stand by Me” and loving the sound rising through my body.

When I get to the chorus, Wily comes and stands right beside me, gazing down at me with an affectionate smile that makes my chest swell.

“So, darlin’, darlin’…” I sing the chorus to him, and he threads our fingers together, kissing my knuckles and making the rest of the room disappear.

It’s just us, swaying to this smooth beat while I ask him to stand beside me and know that he will.

How did I get so lucky?

When the song finishes, another cheer erupts throughout the room, breaking me out of my loved-up bubble.

Wily’s arms come around me, and he lifts me off my feet. “That was incredible!” He kisses me again, then beams down at me like I’m the first prize he just won, and I can’t help a soft giggle.

“One more! One more!” Sienna makes her way up to the front, stepping up beside Nylah and hunting down a new song.

I’m not sure I’m ready for another one, not with all ofthese eyes on me, but then my mom’s absolute favorite starts to play, and I have to do it for her.

So, I sing “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” which apparently is also Zoey’s favorite. Sienna pulls Zander into a slow dance, and Carson and Nylah follow suit. Soon the living room is swaying with dancing couples, and it makes me feel like a jazz singer in a bar.

Wily’s recording me and I smile at his phone, knowing he’s gonna be sending this to my parents. They’ll love it.

When the tune comes to an end, I get lavished with a ton more praise, plus a big hug from Sienna, before finally handing the mic to someone else.

Two new people jump up. I have no idea who they are, but they’re having fun massacring “La Bamba.” I mean, their pronunciation is flawless, but neither of them can hold the tune. The tall cowboy and his girlfriend are whistling and laughing at them, hassling the… brother and sister maybe? They look pretty similar.

“You were so good.” Wily catches my attention, leading me into the dining room and passing me a drink.

I sniff it, then take a little sip, grateful it’s not beer. I really can’t stand that stuff.

“It’s Dr Pepper.” He winks at me. “I know my girl.”

Smiling up at him, I can feel myself finally starting to relax.

I have no idea where Team Evil 2.0 went while I was singing. I had my eyes closed most of the time so I wouldn’t have to see them.

Maybe they’ve left.

Maybe they saw Wily kissing me in front of everybody and knew the battle was over.

I won.