Page 85 of The Wrong Move

“This is next level,” Giana exclaims. She looks around at the black leather recliner couches, the navy carpet, and the circular overhead lighting.

“Wait till you hear the sound system,” Brandon adds.

“Will it wake Summer?”

“Soundproof walls.” I jump into the seat beside Brandon, leaving Giana to sit on my other side.

“I’m not watching a game.” Giana gives me a look. “How about a nice romantic movie?” She takes my hand and squeezes it. I can’t say no to those eyes.

Brandon leans forward in his reclined chair. “You’ve justEat Pray Lovedmy friend. He’s starting to go soft on me.”

“And I agree with Gigi.”

We all jump at the sound of the voice behind us.

“Jesus, Lottie, you scared the fuck out of me.” I shake my head. I thought it was Penny speaking through one of their hidden cameras. “Did Frank ask you to check in on us?”

Charlotte stands in front of us. “No, but when did you last check on Summer?”

Giana holds up the monitor. “She’s sleeping.”

“Can I see?” Brandon holds out a hand, and Giana passes him the monitor. Charlotte sits in the chair beside Brandon, and they stare at the monitor together.

“It has sensors for breathing, motion, body temperature, and cough detection,” Charlotte whispers, but I doubt Brandon is interested. He places the monitor between us.

“How about an episode ofFriends,” Giana suggests. “It’s funny and uplifting.”

Finally, we agree, and when the second episode finishes, Charlotte takes the monitor from between Brandon and me. “Fuck, she’s crying. Look at her hands moving.” She jumps up and fiddles with the monitor, and baby screams fill the room.“You idiots had it on silent.” She runs out of the room with us in tow.

Summer is distressed. Her little face is red, and she’s croaky.

“She has worked herself into a state.” Giana strokes her forehead while Charlotte gently rocks her.

“Penny said she might be hungry or need her diaper changed.” I stand back, as the last thing the kid needs is all four of us in her face, gawking.

Brandon retrieves her pacifier from the crib and encourages her to suck.

I shake my head. “For something so little, she has a good pair of lungs.”

“Wait up.” Brandon goes and fetches the backpack he takes everywhere with him.

Charlotte places her on the changing table and checks her diaper. “Her nappy is fine.”

“I could warm up her milk,” Giana suggests.

Brandon returns, takes the pacifier, and?—

“What the fuck, man. What are you thinking?” I stand in front of Brandon and Summer. “You can’t give that to her.”

“Trust me. My mum has given it to me and my sisters and brothers. It works great.”

“What is it?” Giana asks.

He walks past me and stands beside Charlotte, who looks as distressed as Summer. “Penny and Franklin have already had a heated debate about whether Summer should have a pacifier. If she reacts to Vegemite, they’ll never trust us again.”

“Lottie, trust me,” he says gently.

“It tastes like tar off the road,” I tell Giana.

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