“That’s fancy.” I pull her onto my lap. “I bet Salacia wouldn’t give away her voice for a stinky boy.”
“Oh, no. She’s a queen!” She lifts her little chin, and I tweak it with my fingers before kissing her cheek.
“You’ve made quite a haul here, Sally. Save some for me. I’ve got to get changed into my costume.”
“Who are you going to be?”
“Arr, I’m one of Mr. Maverick’s pirate crew.” I stand, checking out all the decorations.
Cobwebs hang from the light fixtures, and plastic spiders are on the tables. Purple and orange twinkle lights surround the windows, and outside, fabric bats and ghosts hang from the trees.
“Spooky guacamole!” Haddy exits the kitchen wearing a red sweater and black skirt that hugs her body like a glove along with a black wig with a sausage-like ponytail in the back.
In her hands is a platter with a small jack-o-lantern that has guacamole pouring out of its mouth, surrounded by blue corn chips.
“That looks like barf!” Maddie cries.
“You’re gonna love it,” Haddy replies, setting the dish on the table then pointing to the kitchen. “Now get your royal tushy to the kitchen, or I’ll sell you to one of these pirates.”
My daughter takes off running, and I turn to her with my eyebrows raised. “What the…?”
“Gina made her chicken nuggets and tater tots. It’s our specialty, and Gigi said she can’t eat candy until she has dinner.” Haddy crosses her arms, smiling after my daughter. “Luckily, I don’t have that problem, but I do need to feed Lucy before everyone gets here.”
Mav ducked into his room as soon as we walked in the door, and he staggers out in full Captain Jack Sparrow attire. “Where’s my purple drink, wench?”
“Get it yourself!” Haddy flicks her fingers at him. “I’ve got a baby to feed.”
She rushes out the door, and Mav pretend-waddles up to me. “You’re a fine fellow. Spare me a quid?”
My eyes narrow. “Fresh out.”
“Well, off with you! We don’t need any suits at the party.”
“Right.” I’m still wearing my suit from when we left the arena. “I’ll be back.”
I take the stairs two at a time, and when I crash into my room, my pirate outfit is on the bed waiting.
I quickly remove my clothes and toss them over the back of the chair. Just as fast, I’m dressed in brown breeches, a white shirt with giant puffy sleeves, and knee-high boots.
I grab the plastic sword off the bed, and I’m about to head down, when I stop and look at my hair. It’s shaggy and getting too long. I need a haircut, but it’ll work for tonight.
Striding down the hall to Heather’s room, I spy a band on her dresser and quickly pull my hair back in a small ponytail.
Being a single dad has a few perks, like knowing how to tie a ponytail for one.
That done, I trudge down the stairs just in time to see Donovan, Saxon, and Akers charging in the front door. We’re all dressed as pirates, and as soon as we see each other, we all let out anArr!
Heather starts to laugh, but I almost miss the last step when Gina enters the room, carrying a tray of Jell-O shots with eyeballs in them. Her hands are in front of her, and the top of her shimmering blue-green dress cuts dangerously low on her breasts.
My dick jumps, and the memory of covering them with my mouth floods my mind. I’m momentarily dumbstruck watching her, until I realize eyes are on me. Hustling down the stairs, I step over to where she’s just put down the tray.
“Oh!” She yelps when she turns around, bumping into my chest.
Her strawberry hair is straight down her back, and a tiny gold band is on her head like one of those ancient crowns. Iridescent sparkles are at the corners of her eyes, and her lips are a swirly, glossy pinkish-purple color.
She looks like she came straight out of the sea, an old-school siren sent to bewitch me off my ship and take me straight to the bottom of the ocean with her.
“You look like a scurvy bloke.” She pokes my chest with her finger, squinting one eye like a pirate. “We’ll have you boiled in oil and keel hauled… or whatever.”
