Page 34 of Coast

I felt more human than I had in months by the time I stepped out of the steamy bathroom in my loose borrowed clothes.

I stopped in the bedroom to grab my shoes and Lainey’s diaper bag, then made my way downstairs, feeling a little awkward walking around someone else’s house.

“She’s out front hooting at the construction trucks across the street,” a male voice said, making me turn to find an absolute giant standing in the kitchen with a cup of coffee.

The guy had to be at least six-four with dark hair and eyes and a lot of tattoos.

“Oh, thanks,” I said, giving him a smile.

“Want another cup of coffee? Candy made it, so it’s not toxic sludge.”

I felt a little guilty making anyone else watch my baby for even another minute, but coffee really did sound good.

“Okay. Thanks. I’m Zoe.”

“Kylo,” he said. “Lainey is adorable.”

“Thanks. I think I’ll keep her.”

“Fuuuuck you, Benny,” came a croak from behind me. But when I turned, all I saw was the big blue bird from the night before.

“Rude, man,” Kylo said, handing me a cup of coffee and gesturing toward the cream and sugar on the counter. “He’s a rescue. We’ve come up with all sorts of stories about who Benny was and what he did to get so much hate.”

Kylo went into the fridge, pulling out a food storage container, then scooping a bunch of what looked like chopped fruits and vegetables into the bird’s bowl. “I know, buddy,” he said to the bird, who eyed the food dubiously. “But Remy gave me another lecture about the junk food. So you’re on a chop and pellet and occasional nut diet for now.”

“He’s gorgeous.”

“He is,” Kylo agreed.

“Is he a club pet, like the tortoise?”

“I guess so. He did belong to Remy. Along with a dozen other animals. But he said parrots really struggle with big changes, so when he moved out, he thought Mackie would be happiest here.”

“Where he can con people into giving him snacks.”

“Exactly.”

“I know. Not cool,” Coast said, coming in from the front of the house with a crying Lainey in his arms. It was one of her half-hearted cries that said nothing was actually wrong; she was just being dramatic.

“What happened?” I asked, trying to ignore the strange tugging sensation in my chest, seeing my little girl against his chest.

“The dump truck drove away,” Coast explained. “She had some definite feelings about it.”

“Oh, no. How dare they do their job, huh?” I asked, holding out a hand.

“Nah. Finish your coffee. She’s good. If she has a bald spot on her head, it’s from Saskia sniffing her so hard.”

“Well, you can’t blame her,” I said, sipping my coffee. “Thanks for entertaining her. I really needed that shower.”

“Yeah, you did,” he agreed, giving me a smile.

“That’s the longest I’ve ever been away from Lainey,” I admitted.

“Figured as much. Feel good, or were you stressed about it?”

“Why not both?” I asked, getting a chuckle out of him.

“Fair.”

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