Page 32 of Wish For Me

“Absolutely not,” his dad, Levi, says. “The label liked your demo.”

“But I’m sure their last name didn’t hurt,” Nix says, gesturing at Silas and the girls.

My grandpa shrugs. “We can’t pretend like nepotism doesn’t exist, kid. But no one is going to hand this to you, whoever you’re related to.”

Uncle Reed nods. “If you want to really make a go at this playing for a living thing, you have to work your ass off. All this gives you is an opportunity to do that.”

“We will,” Presley says fervently. “I swear we will.”

Levi is watching his son carefully. “If you’re not up for it—”

“We are,” Nix says quickly. “I am.” Finally, he smiles, a huge grin that makes him look like the little boy I remember following me, Alex, and Everly around. “Holy shit, this is for real!”

There’s a lot of commotion after that, everyone hugging everyone else. Presley is crying, and Silas can’t seem to stop swearing.

Silas’s expression turns a little nervous as his older brother approaches him, his eyes searching Will’s face for some sign of how he’s feeling. He makes a surprised noise when his brother immediately pulls him into a tight hug.

Will’s first experiences in the music industry had been pretty messed up, and he really struggled with the idea of his brother and the other kids getting involved in that world. Falling for Eva—a pop superstar in her own right—has really helped him work through some of those issues. But I can tell it still means a lot to Silas to have his support in this.

“You’re going to be just fine,” I hear Will tell him softly, a big, tattooed hand coming up to the back of the younger boy’s head. “I trust you, man.”

“Thank you,” Silas says in a choked voice.

“Besides,” Will says, releasing him. “I’m going to be there the whole time to keep an eye on you. If any of you seem to be partying too much, I’ll force you into babysitting duty. The new baby will be on our bus and there’s nothing like dirty diapers to cure any diva tendencies that might develop.”

Silas releases a watery laugh as he gives his eyes a surreptitious swipe.

“Okay,” Uncle Reed calls out. “It’s time for pancakes. Si, Nix, you too. Just because you’re big rock stars now doesn’t mean you don’t have to help.” He claps his hands. “Come on. Ash, Cade, let’s go.”

“Interlopers too,” my dad says, shooting a glance at my husband.

“Nice, Dad.”

Leo, used to this particular brand of teasing, doesn’t bat an eye. Instead, he turns to me. “You good?”

I smile. “I’m great. I’ll be even better when you’re serving me pancakes.”

He presses a kiss to my nose. “I’ll sneak some chocolate chips into yours,” he whispers.

“You’re so good to me, baby.”

“This is my favorite tradition,” Aunt Sam says, stretching out on the couch.

“Definitely one of my better ideas,” Paige says, popping the cork from a bottle of sparkling wine. “Who wants mimosas?”

Aunt Paige and Aunt Karen pour glasses for all of us, adding just a splash of the wine to the glasses of Violet, Vega, and Cecelia, and we settle into smaller groups. Paige joins Alex, Santana, and Everly, who are deep in conversation, Everly’s always-present wedding binder open in her lap. Presley and Lyric are talking to Eva, no doubt pumping her for information about the tour. The Littles are playing with Poppy, Theo, and Harrison. Jasmine comes over to join me and the other moms on the couches, and some of the earlier unease vanishes from my chest. There are few places I would rather be than cuddled up with my mom and aunts.

“It’s hard to imagine them leaving.” Aunt Karen sends a wistful look over at Lyric and Presley.

“Stop, I’m not even ready to think about it,” Aunt Haylee, Lyric’s mom, says as she slides on the couch next to me. “Isn’t she still three?”

“We all gotta grow up some time,” I tell her, holding up my glass to clink against hers.

“Don’t remind me. I’ll keep Cade my baby forever, thanks.”

“How was New York, Hay?” Karen asks. “It’s all been so busy since you got here we’ve barely talked.”

Aunt Haylee just closed out a short tour with her band, Intrigue, before flying in for the party and Christmas. It’s not unusual for her to be gone for months at a time, which sucks, because she’s pretty amazing and I prefer to have her around.