Page 551 of End Game

My eyes track around the room and out the kitchen doorway again. “Micah notices when I'm running myself into the ground before I do. Ronan's known me long enough to call me on my bullshit without me taking it personally.”

Dex, now upright again, pulls one earbud out. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.”

“Rude.”

I turn away from him. “Dex makes me laugh when I'm trying very hard not to.”

From behind me: “Awww.”

“Put your earbud back in.”

“No.”

Luke laughs. “Sounds terrible.”

“It is.”

Then, quieter, “They're my family.”

“Alright.”

No debate.

No adjustment period.

Just alright.

“I couldn't make one long-term relationship work,” Luke adds. “So I am absolutely not qualified to tell you how to make four of them work.”

“Helpful.”

“Good luck to you, man.”

“Thanks.”

A beat.

“You know Ellie is going to have opinions.”

I groan. “Ellie has opinions about everything.”

“She once sent me six articles because I bought the wrong sunscreen.”

“We'll deal with her later.”

“Absolutely.”

By Sunday at four, there are six pizza boxes on the counter.

“This is excessive,” I mutter.

Dex disagrees. “We need options.”

“We have seven people.”

“Exactly.”