Page 96 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“Dad was the one who retired early. Not me,” Echo murmured. “I couldn’t take six months off to go swim around the Caribbean and be beach bums like you.” He eyed his cold-loving father who was deeply tanned. He’d never seen his father quite so brown. “How did you fare?”

“It was way too hot, but after a while I got somewhat used to it, I guess. As used to it as I could be, anyway. But the food wasamazing.The evening breezes were nice. The saline content of the water was especially buoyant, which was strange swimming in at first, but actually rather nice. It made it easier to sleep with how effortlessly we floated. I’ve never jumped so high in my life.”

“He even agreed to go back next year,” his mother added, grinning proudly as she cozied up to him. “So, he clearly didn’thateit.”

“No, I didn’t hate it,” his father agreed, smiling at her.

Echo couldn’t remember the last time they looked that happy together. Even with his strained relationship with his mother, if they’d found happiness, that was a good thing. Maybe she’d leave him alone some.

“If you didn’t hate it, why’re you back early?”

Echo’s father turned to eye his mother oddly. “I thought you called him from Puerto Rico?”

His mother offered a timid smile, shrugging her shoulders. “I wanted to surprise him.”

“That’s not a surprise, that’s an ambush,” Echo’s father said, frowning.

“An ambush?That’s a horrible thing to say,” his mother replied, a horrified expression on her face.

His father shook his head and gave Echo a look that said,‘I’m sorry.’

And there went that happiness down the drain.

“The reason we’re back early… Great whites started killing wild dolphins in the area and ultimately took down two in your mother’s old pod,” his father replied. “We thought it safer to go home early than push our luck.”

“Smart,” Echo murmured.

“But now we’re homeless,” his mother said. “Our renter still has almost a month and a half left before he’s scheduled to move out. We were hoping we could stay here with you until then?”

A month and a half with his parents under his roof?

What happens when Mael returns?

He forced a smile to his lips.

“We should’ve called him before showing up on his doorstep, Joanna,” his father said, glaring her way.

“Where’s the fun in that?” his mother asked, ignoring that glare. She tucked a lock of hair behind Echo’s ear. “And why would our babynotwant us here with him?”

She looked at him expectantly—and there was a hint of doubt in her eyes.

“Of course you’re welcome to stay,” Echo murmured, smiling as best he could.

“Great!” his dad said, offering a warm smile. He turned to Echo’s mother. “I’ll go unload our luggage.”

All Echo could think about was Mael’s homecoming. Hopefully they’d be gone by the time he returned. He didn’t need his parents getting in their way and preventing them from celebrating—particularly his mother. Of course, he’d eventually have to tell them about his mate, but he hoped it was later rather than sooner.

With the surprise that might be growing in his belly, he might not be so lucky.

Echo turned his attention to the street as his closest neighbor walked past with his dog. He waved to Echo. Echo waved back. “Morning, Tatum.”

“Morning,” Tatum murmured, eyeing his parents. “Morning, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. How was your trip?”

“Morning,” Echo’s mother replied as his father offered a smile and wave. “It was wonderful, thanks.”

Tatum glanced around the yard before smiling and focusing on them again. “I’m glad it was nice, Mrs. Fisher. Welcome home.” Tatum turned to Echo. “Have a good one.”

“Thanks, you too,” Echo murmured.

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