Page 86 of Sing For Me

“The original version,” Grandpa says as my grandma pulls my face down to place a smacking kiss on my forehead.

“And this is Ruby,” I continue. “She’s one of a kind.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Eva,” Grandma says. “We’ve heard so much about you.”

I groan. “The kids are spreading gossip to the two of you now?”

Grandpa laughs. “Son, nothing happens in this family without me knowing.”

“Great,” I mutter. “Well on that note, we’re getting out of the mob.” I look to Eva. “Ready to make a run for it?”

“Lead the way.”

We manage to make it through the throngs of cousins—the parents must have given them a good talking to, because no one does anything more than wave or shout hello, a few of them making kissy faces at me. But our good luck runs out when we’re nearly to freedom, only a few feet away from the front porch.

“Will!” My Aunt Paige steps in front of us, cutting off our escape route, and I nearly groan out loud.

So, here’s the thing about my Aunt Paige. She’s one of my favorite people in the world. She’s by far the most fun person I know. I have literally never been bored with her around—she always has some game or adventure planned. She loves fiercely and she’s incredibly loyal. If someone is sad, it becomes her life mission to make it better. She’s wonderful and I love her dearly.

She’s also the last person I want to talk to right now.

“Will!” She wraps me up in what has the be the shortest Paige hug ever—the reason for which is obvious when she practically pushes me away to greet Eva.

“Hello! It’s so nice to meet you!” Eva is also pulled into a hug and I can see her wide, bewildered eyes over Paige’s shoulder.

“Eva, this is my Aunt Paige,” I tell her, shooting desperate glances at the crowd in search of Reed or Daisy or anyone else to come and get us out of this.

“I’m so happy you’re here, Eva,” my aunt says, not letting go of her hands. “I’m such a big fan—”

“Oh my God,” I mutter, closing my eyes. Of course, my mom made it a point to talk to the little kids about not fangirling over Eva but apparently didn’t mention it to Paige.

She shoots me a wounded glance. “I’m just saying that I hope we can get to know each other.”

“That would be nice,” Eva says and I scan her face for signs that she might be overwhelmed. Instead, she looks like she’s doing her best to keep from laughing. At me. I narrow my eyes at her.

“I think you’ll have so much fun here,” Aunt Paige is saying. “There’s a creek on the property for swimming, if it gets warm enough. And we can kayak if you like that. Oh, and we’re going to have marshmallows every night because they are myfavoriteand—”

“Hey,” an amused voice says and Aunt Karen slides onto the porch next to Paige. I shoot her a pleading look and I’m pretty sure she’s trying not to laugh too. “I think the kids were heading in to get settled, Paige.”

“Oh, I’m just saying hi,” she says quickly.

“Uh huh,” Karen says. “The day youjustsay hi is the day I take up a career in the circus.” She shoots us a grin. “Head inside. I’ll hold her off.”

“Hey!” Paige yells, but I grab Eva’s hand and pull her into the house before she can say anything else.

“Wow,” Eva says in the sudden quiet of the front hall. “I didn’t realize your face could turn that shade of red.”

“Shut it,” I mutter, heading towards the creaky staircase that will lead us upstairs.

“I’m serious, Will. You’re practically turning purple.”

I flip her off over my shoulder and the sound of her husky laughter has me fighting a grin in spite of my earlier annoyance.

That annoyance makes a sudden, sharp return when we get to her room and are greeted with the sight of about fifty pictures of my head, cut out from various tabloids, scattered all over the bedspread.

“Your cousins?” she asks, picking up one of the heads. I’m scowling particularly hard in that picture.

“Or my siblings.” Or possibly one of my uncles. I wouldn’t put it past them.