“Enjoy the pie,” Willa responded, giving Roscoe a wicked smile.
The werewolf picked up the slice and shoved the whole thing in his mouth. He chewed slowly while eyeing us with narrowed suspicion.
“Hurry up,” Mosavi said, pointing to the raised trunk of the limo. “Let’s not make loading the car an all-day event.”
“And how are you today?” I asked, tossing my suitcase into the trunk.
“Looking forward to our two nights a week,” he muttered.
“That’s if you don’t like Darryl’s performance.”
“I won’t.” When he climbed back into the car, Willa smacked his rear hard with the palm of her hand.
“He’s not keen on road trips,” she said, lowering her voice. “If I roll down the window, he’ll stick his head out with his mouth open. It’s really cute. He can’t help it.”
“Oh my God, I have to see this,” I said as we both broke into more laughter.
“Let’s go,” Mosavi shouted from inside.
Though it was late November, the briny sea breeze blowing in from the ocean was just warm enough for us to lie on the beach, but a little too cold to swim—at least for me. Mosavi and Willa dropped Roscoe and me off at Darryl’s while they and the others made their way to the Marriott further up the shore. As amazing as it would have been to stay in the presidential suite, I wanted to spend time here.
We were preparing ourselves emotionally for what was going to happen over the next day. Austin was unaware of what Adam had planned, but tonight was all about Roscoe and Darryl. I expected him to be overjoyed, but with how fragile their friendship was, this day could go in any direction. That guitar could pull the scabs off healing wounds, but I had to trust that whatever happened, things would get better.
It was around four in the afternoon, and Darryl was high on his lifeguard chair, watching the human surfers trying to ride what few larger waves there were. Roscoe gripped the handle of the black guitar case, his posture stiff as we climbed the steps of the deck.
“Relax,” I said, gently stroking Roscoe’s back. “It’s all gonna work out.”
“If he still hates me after this, then I’ll know where I stand.”
“Darryl is complicated, and he doesn’t hate you. You know that more than anyone.” I opened the door and sat my suitcase next to that awful hammock I’d fallen out of countless times during my stay here. “You weren’t thinking clearly that night. That’s what addiction does.”
“It was still my choice. The pills didn’t buy themselves, and that guitar didn’t grow legs and walk away.” He looked down atthe case. “I won’t be able to breathe right until this thing is in his hands.”
I glanced out the window at a now empty lifeguard chair.
“I think he caught our scent.” I opened the front door again, scanning the shore for any sign of the beach wolf, but he was gone. “You should go find him and give it to him. I’ll stay here.”
“Give what to me?” Darryl asked, startling us both as he seemingly materialized on the other side of the door. For someone so huge, he sure knew how to stay hidden. “I thought I’d be spending Thanksgiving by myself this year.”
I stepped out onto the deck and wrapped my arms around him. Darryl’s fur always smelled so fresh, and he was slightly damp, the sea water soaking through my black shirt.
“I missed you.” Those visions made me an emotional wreck. Seeing him now was even more significant than before, knowing what I knew.
“All right, what’s going on? Who died?”
“Huh?” I asked, but he held his thumb to my cheek, wiping away a stray tear. “Oh, I’m just happy to see you again.”
“It’s been less than a month. What’s going on?” He looked over at Roscoe, who was still partially hidden behind the door. “Why aren’t you being belligerent right now? You’re worrying me.”
Roscoe cleared his throat and stepped onto the deck. “I uh… I got somethin’ for ya.”
“Hopefully it’s a four-course meal. I’m starving.”
Roscoe slowly crept out into the open before letting the door fall against the frame. He held the guitar case in his hand while locking eyes with the larger werewolf.
“I’ve been lookin’ fer this thing for years, but Cody found it.”
Darryl stiffened, his breathing growing heavy.
