Matt blinked down the table at Nick. "When did I tell you that? She didn't get there until yesterday."
Before Nick could respond, Riley came bounding into the kitchen with his phone in one hand and a paintbrush in the other. Sometime in the past few months, Will and Riley stumbled into a conversation about art—apparently they shared a down-low affection for mid-century American painters—and Will asked Riley to design a mural for the baby's room.
He was spending every free minute in that room, and was now referring to it as his passion project. That passion project exempted him from golf with the Commodore today.
Nick held up his phone. "That's the hospital," he said, backing out of the kitchen. "Good round, Commodore. I'll catch you the next time you're in town, sir. Hook 'em Horns."
Matt tossed the bag of frozen peas from hand to hand as he watched Nick dash down the hallway. "That was weird, right? With Nick knowing that Erin was in Greenland?"
The Commodore pointed at the seat Nick had vacated. "I like him."
"Okay, so not weird," Matt murmured. "Got it."
"I need Will," Riley announced. Seeing him without the thick beard and long hair was still jarring. I wasn't used to his light stubble and closely cropped hair yet.
"Right here, buddy," Will murmured from behind him.
"Yeah, you know about hostage situations, don't you?" Riley asked Will. "And human trafficking?"
"Why do you ask?" Will said.
Riley sighed, shaking his head as he brought his hands to his hips. "My friend is in trouble."
At this point, all activity in the kitchen had stopped, and everyone was listening to the exchange between Riley and Will.
"Withhuman trafficking?" Will asked. He whistled into the large laundry room off the kitchen and held the half-door open, and a pair of chocolate lab puppies scampered to his side. He waited until they were seated and their tails stopped thumping, and then tossed small biscuits in their direction. He snapped his fingers and pointed to the staircase when they finished chomping. "Upstairs. Go lie down with mama."
"Start from the beginning, RISD," Matt called. "Just lay it out for us."
With an exaggerated sigh, Riley leaned against the island. "So this asshole kidnapped Rob Gronkowski, and he's holding him hostage because he's mad at my friend."
I glanced at Matt and Patrick, and then Will and the Commodore, and it was obvious that they were as confused as I was.
"Son, you're going to need to run that by me again," the Commodore said. His feet were anchored shoulder-width apart, and when he folded his arms over his chest, his otherwise serious demeanor turned solemn. He was getting to the heart of this matter.
Riley shook his head and held his hands out in frustration. "My friend—"
"Which friend?" I asked.
"Gigi," Riley said. "She broke up with the oily bag of sac sweat she'd been dating, and she moved out of his place."
"And how did Rob Gronkowski get involved?" Patrick asked.
"Sac Sweat kidnapped him!" Riley cried. "He's holding the little guy hostage right now, and I thought Will would know what to do because this asshole blocked Gigi's number and changed all the locks and she can't get Gronk back. He's going to sell him to the highest bidder!"
"Wait.Little guy?" Matt said. His forehead crinkled as he frowned. "Are we talking about New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, or…"
"Her dog," Riley said impatiently. "Gigi's Boston Terrier."
"How are you always getting roped into these ridiculous situations?" Patrick asked. "Do you not notice that they're ridiculous?"
The Commodore held up a finger. "Let me see if I understand this. The young lady ended her relationship with this fellow, and he retaliated by taking her dog. Is that correct?" Riley nodded, and the Commodore shook his head slowly as he shot a purposeful glance at him. "Son, you need to stand up for the young lady in this situation. Get off your ass and find her fucking dog."
"But…how?" Riley asked, shaking his head incredulously. "What do I do? Gigi told me he lives in Malden. I guess I could ask for the address, but…then what? Do I kick down the door, and then snatch the dog?"
"Can't believe I'm saying this," Will muttered. "I'll go with you, Riley. Give me a minute."
Riley nodded eagerly. "What are you getting? Grappling hooks? Night vision goggles? A flash bang grenade? A sniper rifle?"
