Kong didn’t say anything. Instead, his eyes searched the faces at their table and the exits. His kids weren’t here, which meant he was only half present anyway. Often his thoughts drifted to them and what hell they were putting Audiemar through. His father didn’t interact with children. With Kara and Kyro, he spoke to them like they were adults. Although he was stern, his grandchildren still pushed boundaries with pretty much anybody.
“Aw, is that why y’all are so damn cagey?” Inari jested, playfully pouting.
“Seriously,” Coast muttered. “Lighten up.”
“We all grew up here.” Moose leaned forward. “Where you from, Coast?”
“I was born in Ree Heights, too, thank you very much. My parents just uprooted us when I was like five.” She grabbed atortilla chip so she could dip it into the lobster dip that had arrived.
“So, do you consider this home?” Kong wondered, making her pause.
“I don’t know. I guess I’ve always been kind of nomadic.” She chewed with some thought. “My parents always instilled in us that home was wherever we all were together. We haven’t been together in a long time, though.”
“You got siblings?” Inari picked up her martini glass and sipped.
“Two brothers. Llyr and Zale. I talk to them every now and then, when they’re in between cons.”
“Tell me more.” Inari grinned and leaned forward on her elbow.
“Oh, I could write a book on those two.” Coast snickered. “We spent most of our lives making up shit as we went along. One minute I was Coco or Chantel. It used to be fun, but… I don’t know. I guess I was tired of trying to keep up with all the lies. It was easy for them. My daddy said it was because I was always looking for a deeper meaning in everything. Whatever that means.” Coast looked off to the side.
“It means you want more.” Inari swallowed and calculated for her. “And there’s nothing wrong with that, Coast. Trust me. Even if you’re the only one with the vision.”
“Sounds like you know a little something about that.” Moose stretched his arm behind her and looked into Inari’s glowing amber eyes.
“I might,” she muttered, breaking his intrusive stare.
As the night carried on, the drinks continued to flow, and Kong, Mozzi, and Moose all ducked outside on the patio to smoke while the ladies remained inside. When they returned, dessert was ordered, and about halfway through, Kong’s phonevibrated against the table. Glancing at the screen, he frowned, and Ayla noticed.
“Something wrong?”
“It’s Kyro facetiming me.”
“Answer it,” Ayla encouraged, leaning closer as he swiped to pick up.
Those kids were giving her a run for her money, but it kept things interesting. Kara’s face filled the display, too close to the camera and squinting at Kong and his surroundings.
“Daddy.”
“Kara, what’s wrong?”
“Grandpa Audi made us take baths and get in bed,” she pouted.
“What did you do?” Kong tossed his napkin on the table.
“I didn’t do nothing!” she objected as Kyro stepped into the camera.
“He ate the last of the chocolate chip cookies Ayla made in our face, and Kara threw a fit!” Kyro disclosed, which sent Moose and Mozzi into roaring laughter. “Miss Phoebe and Nay are here too. Downstairs. Miss Phoebe said we had to be disciplined.”
“And I don’t like them!” Kara screamed.
“I’m with my niece,” Mozzi said after sipping his drink.
“Oh, my God.” Ayla groaned, sliding behind Kong in their camera view. “I’ll make more cookies tomorrow, okay?” She tried to reason with them.
“You promise?” Kara put her face back in the camera and only the top of her head and eyes were visible. “Extra chocolate chips?”
“Yes,” Ayla agreed with a soft smile.
