The confusion is visible on his face. “How many parties and brunches can one family have?”

“With this family,” Lindsay interjects, “any chance to get drunk will be taken.”

“I’m down,” I say. “We can order some takeout.”

It’ll be a nice break from all of this wedding stuff, and Wyatt and I can finally get the night in that we wanted.

“Cool, I’ll bring UNO.” Lindsay relaxes against the half wall that’s boxed in some fancy imported trees.

Wyatt raises an eyebrow. “UNO?”

“What?” She goes defensive. “It’s a great game, and I’ll kick both of your asses.”

“Oh, you’re so on!” Wyatt exclaims.

It’s actually nice seeing them together like this. It’s probably a weird thought to have, but I like that they get along, that they seem to like each other. Lindsay is important to me, so I want Wyatt to like her.

They get into talking about some Korean boy group called Stray Kids, and I sit there, listening to them bicker about which member they like more. We’re called in for a few more pictures, some all together as a family, one set of me, Michael, and Mother together, then they throw Nana and Grandpa into the mix and I have to endure them correcting my posture and my smile.

“If you’re going to be a boy, at least stand like one,” Grandpa says, his arm thrown around my shoulder.

I want to sink.

All it takes is a few words, and I want to vanish.

To disappear.

I just have to make it through the next few hours, the next few photographs, then Wyatt and I can go back to the hotel, maybe get some food and go to the pool or something. Then we’ll have a fun night with Lindsay, and everything will be good.

Just have to survive.

I have to stand there for what feels like hours as pictures from every angle are taken. At some point, I notice that Wyatt isn’t standing around outside anymore, and I feel this worry in my chest. What did he see? What did he hear? Is he coming back?

When I’m finally allowed to take a break, I step inside, leaving my shoes near the entrance.

The house is so big, it takes me longer than I’d like to find him, walking around on the second floor, this look of confusion on his face.

“There you are,” I say. “I was worried there for a second.”

“Just trying to find the bathroom. This place is a maze.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.”