Page 18 of Grown

Daddy’s lips press together. “You have your entire life to work. For now, we just want you to be a normal teenager.”

There’s nothing normal about being trapped in the house, taking care of kids you didn’t birth.

“OK... well then, can you help me pay for singing lessons?”

His shoulders sag. “That’d be another activity and we really need you here to watch the Littles.”

“But you heard what Korey Fields said. I have real potential. Singing lessons can help me find my voice. This could be my shot!”

“Baby, we talked about this. Singing is... a big risk. Doesn’t work out for everybody. There’s thousands of singers out there, and only the lucky ones really make it.”

I look down at my hair scattered on the floor.

Daddy wipes his mouth, fidgets with his tools, then uses a brush to dust the stray hairs off my shoulders.

“So, what’s up next for the Disney club?” he says, hope in his voice. “What are you guys watching tonight?”

I rip the smock off me.

“The Little Mermaid,” I mutter, tossing it in the tub.

Ariel’s father didn’t let her do anything either.

Chapter 12

A Whole New World

“All right, guys, we ready?”

“Yeah!” the room cheers.

It’s been two weeks since the concert, and I’ve followed Korey Fields’s every move on Instagram. He’s had back-to-back appearances. Between his video recaps, Insta-stories, and thirst-trap photos of his bare chest, I spent every evening in bed scrolling, ogling, and analyzing each post like a private eye.

But tonight, I needed to send Korey to the back of my thoughts and focus on our weekly tradition—Disney club.

After a dinner of fish sticks and broccoli, I make popcorn and fresh limeade as Shea sets up pillows in the living room.

“Tonight, Littles, we introduce you toAladdin!”

“It’s stupid. How did she not recognize him?” Shea asks, plopping into her seat, pulling Destiny onto her lap. “It’s not like he got a nose job or something.”

“Who recognize who?” Phoenix asks, snuggling into the rocking chair.

“Hey! Stop ruining it for the rest of them! This is an important rite of passage. Genie is up there with Sebastian as far as sidekicks go. OK, any questions?”

Pearl shoots her hand up. “Can you make fish tacos tomorrow?”

“As long as you eat a salad with it.”

The twins gag, Shea rolls her eyes. They all complain but I don’t care. It’s my job to take care of them, just like Grandma would.

Fifteen minutes into the movie, my phone vibrates. I expect it to be Mom or Daddy telling us they’ll be home late as usual. Instead, it’s a message from someone named Pips.

WYD

Pips? Who the hell is Pips and what...

I drop the phone with a gasp.