Page 71 of Beyond the Hate

“I agree with Zane,” Paisley says. “Behave is incredibly subjective. I’m certain the word behave means drastically different things to Zane than to Rhett.”

Rhett grunts in response.

I raise an eyebrow at Paisley. “Do you want to end up stuck in theAtlantis Adventurebecause one of these yahoos jumped out of the boat?”

TheAtlantis Adventureis a water ride through the lost city of Atlantis. It’s for children but my brothers don’t care.

She shrugs. “There’s a secret exit after the capital city near the hoard of gold.”

“Best. Birthday. Ever!” Miles shouts. “We’re exploring the lost city of Atlantis.”

“Can we play ‘I spy’?” Zane asks.

“I’ll play,” Paisley says. “What’s my prize when I win?”

Rhett throws an arm around my shoulders. “She’s fitting right in. You worried for nothing.”

I never worried about Paisley fitting in with my family. Between the six of us, there’s enough diversity for her to feel at home amongst us. No, my concerns with her are different.

“She was too quick to agree to play,” Kai says and brings my attention back to their conversation. “She’s certain of her win. How about another game?”

Miles waggles his eyebrows. “A drinking game.”

Paisley frowns. “I didn’t know we were coming here or I would have brought my flask. The prices in the amusement park are obnoxious.”

Kai points to me. “Don’t worry. Eli pays for everything.”

“You shouldn’t take advantage of him because he has money.”

He shrugs. “What else are we going to do with him? He’s pretty useless.”

Paisley taps her chin. “I get your point, but he is pretty to look at.”

“Gross. He’s my brother.”

Paisley winks at me. “But he’s not my brother.”

“Are the two of you going to give each other googly eyes all day?” Zane feigns retching.

She shrugs. “Only if it will bother you.”

I throw my arm around Paisley’s shoulders. “Come on. Mom and Stuart are here.”

We walk as a group toward the entrance toMermaid Mystical Gardens.I slow down to let my brothers get ahead.

I bite Paisley’s earlobe. “I’m useless, am I?”

“I didn’t say you were useless. I merely said I understood Kai’s point of view. I can understand a point of view without agreeing with it.”

I sigh. “I’m never going to win an argument with you, am I?”

She smiles. “It’s good you learn your limitations now.”

We stop at the entrance to the park where my family has gathered. “Paisley, I’d like you to meet my mom. Mom, this is Paisley. Paisley, this is my mother, Jessica.”

Paisley extends her hand but Mom pulls her into a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

Paisley freezes and I groan. “Way to scare her, Mom.”

---