Fuck.
Vanessa and Mom step out of the car behind us.
“Been missing since yesterday,” Pop says.
Sloane’s phone lights up, glowing from her pocket.
She cringes.
I curl my hand into a fist again to keep from pulling her close. “If that’s Nigel, I’ll be happy to answer him for you. If you want me to.”
She’s rolling her eyes as she pulls it out, but that’s not Nigel texting her.
It’s Tillie Jean.
“They found the coat in one of the glitter bomb receptacles from the wedding,” she murmurs, showing me the message.
There’s a picture of an old pirate coat.
Glittered now.
That’ll be something for the museums.
“Is it damaged?” I ask.
“Somebody stole my coat too?” Pop says. “Why is everyone stealing all of my things?”
“Maybe becausethat’s what pirates fucking do,” Sloane snarls back. “You know who’s a pirate? You’re a pirate. Your ancestors were pirates. You know who’s not a pirate?I’m not a fucking pirate. But I’m hip-deep in this anyway, sogo inside, sit down, eat something, and quit yelling. Or I’m callingallof your family up here to get you.”
“Pop? That you?” Cooper calls.
Cooper.
Of course.
His house is next door.
Next doorbeing a relative term. Lots are big up here on the top of Thorny Rock Mountain.
“Go back to your honeymoon,” Pop calls back. “I’m practicing a bit for the Pirate Festival next year.”
Cooper angles into view. “Kiva said she saw you pacing down here and thought you got the wrong house.”
Pop looks at me.
Then at Sloane, who’s still vibrating with irritation.
Then he looks at Cooper. “Yep. Must be getting old. Got confused. Thought I was practicing at your house.”
“Rawk! His brain’s as saggy as his balls! Rawk!”
Pop eyes me again. “Do not fuck up my family, you hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
Sloane slips her hand into mine and squeezes, and everything inside of me relaxes.
We’re okay.
