Page 11 of A Very Addicted Christmas

“I’m going to stop you there,” Lo says, holding up a hand. He leans in his seat so he can look at me. “This is your fault, love.”

I do take blame. I’ve said the words Audrey has said. Many times. And my children, nieces, and nephews have used them against us, but I always believe context is a very important thing.

I can feel Ryke’s glare on the back of my head.

“Context, Audrey,” I say. “You’re not beingpenalizedfor being young. You have school unlike the older kids.”

“Which brings us to point 2,” Audrey says.

Winona clicks the button and the slide transitions with awhoosh.

REASON 2:WE CAN MAKE UP SCHOOL WORK. IT’S JUST MIDDLE SCHOOL.

“Justmiddle school?” Rose says like that’s absurd.

“It doesn’t count towards high school grades or college admissions,” Kinney says. “I could get C’s and make all A’s in high school.”

“Which poses the question:Does middle school even matter?”Audrey says with a sneaking smile.

Rose eyes our daughter like Audrey has inhaled lethal mischief.

Winona is smiling like they’re making great points. “Food for thought.” She gesticulates at the PowerPoint so we keep our eyes on the words.

“I mean, they’re kind of right,” Lily mutters.

Lo’s brows furrow like he’s also thinking hard on it.Darling.

“It’s a foundation,” I tell the girls. “Building blocks in your education are just as important as high school grades.”

“Oh! We have a question,” Winona says and points out at us. “Mom?”

I turn around and see Daisy raising her hand. “I vote to remove Vada from consideration since your Uncle Garrison and Aunt Willow aren’t here to listen on her behalf.”

“Hear, hear,” Lo says.

“Agreed,” I say.

“One second.” Winona holds up a finger. The three girls form a huddle to whisper with each other.

Rose leans into my shoulder. “A+ effort on the PowerPoint.”

“The music is distracting, and the transitions are clichéd,” I say.

She scowls, a fierce look that I’ve missed these past days. I hold her fiery gaze.

“Take it back,” she demands.

“I won’t.”

Her lips purse. “It’s worthy of an A+.”

“C.”

Her breath catches. “You gave our daughter a C?”

I put an arm around Rose’s shoulder. She doesn’t jerk away, and I lean closer. “And that is why I’m the unbiased one, darling.” I kiss her temple.

She doesn’t deny. “You’re horrible,” she says the words as she snuggles deeper into my side.

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