Chapter 199

Cruise

New Year's Eve

"She needs to be in bed by eight," Karina tells me as Ruby and I wait for her and Dad to leave for their date.

I shoot Ruby a look, before I put my hand over Karina's mouth. "Mom, I've watched my sister before, in fact, I watch her probably more often than most brothers do. I think I got this."

"I know." She wraps her finger around her curl, before her eyes cut to Dad's. "It's just… I feel bad asking you to watch her on New Year's, especially when you have Ruby," she admits, looking apologetically at the both of us.

"I think we'll be fine." I roll my eyes. "You and Dad go out, have a blast, rent a room if you want. We got this."

"Listen to your son." Dad puts his arm around Mom, pulling her toward the door. "He's got this."

"I know he does," she worries again, biting on her nail. "I'm just really sorry you're spending your first New Year's together, watching your little sister."

"Karina," Ruby laughs. "It's fine, I promise. We're gonna have a good