I'm surprised he's noticed. "Bash knows sports, obviously, and geography."
"And I've got science and history covered," Sarah nods. "Perfect. We're going to crush this."
Across from us, Emily looks like she's being held hostage, while Ethan whispers something to Olivia that makes her nod in agreement.
"First category," Dad announces, pointing to the board. "Famous Duos and Couples!"
"Ironic," I mutter, and both Bash and Sarah chuckle.
"For ten points: Which famous couple's love letters were published in a collection called 'My Dear Boy'?"
Our team huddles. "Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas," I whisper confidently.
Sarah hits the buzzer. "Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas."
"Correct!" Dad marks a point for our team, and we exchange satisfied nods.
The questions continue, and we build a comfortable lead. Bash nails a question about Olympic figure skating pairs, and Sarah impresses us with her knowledge of scientific partnerships. I even contribute an answer about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Emily, despite her reluctance, turns out to be carrying her team, answering most of their questions while Ethan and Olivia bicker quietly over wrong answers. Every time they miss a question, Olivia's face tightens in a way that suggests she'd be scowling if her face allowed it.
By the time we reach the music category, we're up by twenty points.
"This 80s power ballad contains the line 'I don't want to touch you too much, baby, 'cause making love to you might drive me crazy,'" Dad reads.
I slam the buzzer before he's even finished. "Love Bites by Def Leppard!"
"That's... correct," Dad says, looking slightly disturbed that his daughter knows such lyrics by heart.
Bash leans close. "How do you know that?"
"My rebellious phase involved a lot of classic rock," I explain. "Don't look so surprised."
He grins. "Just when I think I've got you figured out, Shortcake."
The nickname sends a pleasant warmth through me, especially when Sarah gives us a knowing smile.
As the game progresses, our lead grows, and the competitiveness between teams intensifies. Ethan starts to look genuinely annoyed, while Emily seems to be enjoying his discomfort. Olivia keeps adjusting her bracelet and whispering criticisms that aren't quite quiet enough.
"We would have had that if you'd listened to me," she hisses at Ethan after they miss a question about European capitals.
"I did listen, but you said Vienna was in Switzerland," he snaps back.
"I did not!"
Sarah leans toward me. "Are they always like this?"
I nod. "Pretty much. Makes you wonder how they'll handle actual marital problems if they can't agree on geography."
When Dad announces the final category—Winter Sports—Bash rubs his hands together gleefully.
The room tenses. Emily looks like she wants to be anywhere else, while Ethan leans forward eagerly.
"In what year was the first winter Olympics held in Aspen, Colorado?"
Bash's eyes widen, and he slams his hand on the buzzer at the exact same time Ethan slams his hand on his buzzer.
They both answer in unison.
