Page 84 of It Should Have Been Me

Oh wooooah-o-o

Pete and I have already died by the time the lyrics drop because the choreography Dylan put together is full-on boy band shit mixed with the quick footwork of a TikTok challenge. We’re doing the slide and tap. We’re shimmying across the floor.

Dyl sings along the whole time and does a solid job on the rap, even improvising some of the lyrics with Isa as if they’ve done this before.

“And you know who got me dazin’?” he asks.

She laughs but plays along. “Is it me?”

“And you know who’s so amazin’?”

“I think it’s still me. And now your heart is breaking?”

“Yeah...so, we just keep on sayin’...”

“Baby, baby, babyo-o-o-h.”

Now if that wasn’t bad enough, right after the rap, the song mixes into One Direction’sWhat Makes You Beautiful. The choreography for this one is even worse with flick kicks and running steps. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so emasculated in my life, but the joy on Isa and Dylan’s faces makes it all worth it.

“We hop on two,” I remind Tommy, because this is the part where he kept messing up during rehearsals.

He nails it this time, looking pretty damn proud of himself. The medley continues and shifts into Bruno MarsMarry You. This bit is more theatrical, more broadway inspired with long arms and jazz hands. My boy gives it his all, and Isa is killing it at this point. Red in the face and she’s laughing so hard she has to wipe away tears so they ruin her mascara.

Eventually, it slows down, and he’s breathing hard when Ed Sheeran’sPerfectcomes through the speakers.

Isa raises an eyebrow at him. “Really, De Lorenzo? Ed Sheeran?”

He takes her hand and lifts her off the chair. “Sort of reminds me of a little adventure we had on a rooftop one night.”

She smiles and loops her arms around his neck. “Nothing like some R and Brie to set the mood.”

Pete and I are still huffing as we walk off the dance floor, but Aunt Maria stops me before I get to the table and takes me right back. Without saying a word, she places her hand on my shoulder and leads me into step. After a minute or so, Peter is right next to me, swaying with Lia in his arms.

Cat’s family has a weird custom when it comes to dancing. No one is allowed to simply have one partner. No, we all have to rotate every few minutes, even if the song isn’t finished. People shuffle, we swap partners, and I’m dancing with Aunt Verónica next for half a song. It happens again and Mrs. H is in my arms.

“Hey, Mrs. H. Have I told you that you look beautiful today?”

“You haven’t, but thank you. I’m surprised I managed to keep my makeup on. My baby is all grown up.” She sighs. “And my other baby leaves tomorrow. I haven’t been able to stop crying. I’m not okay,Mijo.” She looks up at me. “And I don’t think you’re okay, either. I can see it, you know.”

“I know.”

“But you don’t want to talk about it?”

“Not today.”

“Okay,Mijo. Just promise me that you won’t be leaving me after today, too.”

“I promise I’ll still come over every second Saturday.”

“Yes, but you come over for Keith now,” she snaps playfully. “It’s like I’m not your favorite anymore.”

“How can you say that? You’ll always be my favorite.”

Peter steps in between us, pushing me aside to curl his arm around Mrs. H’s waist. “I want to make it very clear that I havenevercome over for Keith...not evenonce.”

Keith is behind us dancing with Isa. “I heard that, Peter.”

Peter rolls his eyes with indignation. “Keith, why do you always have to be this constant obstacle on my path to love?”

---