She cursed under her breath and appeared to strategize for a second attempt, but I was saved by Luiz and Chris.

A little past midnight, only a handful of people were still here. Luiz had volunteered to be the designated driver earlier, and he’d taken some tired friends back to the hotel around eleven. And when he returned, August decided to strike, evidently. He threw the offer of available guest rooms on the table, resulting in a quiet stare-down among everyone. Silent questions. Should we? What do you say? Anyone up for it? While Luiz’s expression mostly made it clear that he really fucking wanted a drink.

I could sense that Chris and Nicky were on board too, though my brother would leave it up to Gideon, who reached his limit for social interactions faster.

“What time do we have rehearsal tomorrow?” Maria asked.

“Ten-thirty’s our slot,” I answered.

I lifted my arm as Camden came back from the snack table with a bowl of chips, and he cuddled up against my chest.

“And we’re leaving the bus there, right?” Nicky asked for clarification.

I inclined my head. Three bands would play on “our” stage tomorrow, so after the rehearsal, we’d stow everything in the bus again. Then Matt, Luiz, and I would head out in my truck and rent vehicles for the day. Some sight-seeing would follow before it was time to get back to the festival area and get ready.

We took the stage at ten and would be one of the three bands closing for the day. Two smaller stages, one main stage.

“I’d like to stay,” Gideon said. “But I’ll probably retire in a little while.”

Maria nodded. “Yeah, same. I’m so tired, but Dio, waking up to this view…?” She gestured toward the paddocks that were cloaked in darkness now. “Thank you for letting us stay here, August.”

“It’s our pleasure,” he responded. “Camden and I have gotten a little too good at closin’ ourselves in. Having Anthony with us this week has made me miss hostin’ dinners.”

I put my hand on his thigh and gave it a squeeze.

It opened up a new conversation—about family dinners, parties, and barbecues—and I was content just to listen. Nicky filled in for me anyway. He spoke animatedly about our holidays and how we spent them, and how Nonna had mercilessly pushed us down the ranks in favor of Gideon lately.

I grinned.

“I can relate to that,” Camden chimed in. “My family prefers August over me.”

August chuckled. “Because you and your brothers are constantly raisin’ hell.”

“Pshh!” Camden waved that off. “We show one another love. You wouldn’t get it.”

I met Nicky’s smirk and nodded at Camden. “He grew up similarly to us but abandoned Staten Island for the South early on.”

Nicky widened his eyes. “I’d abandon Staten Island too, man.”