Page 122 of Beautiful Exile

“You’re all…”

“Mushy-gushy,” Luca supplied, his nose wrinkling. “My mom and dad are like thataaaaallthe time now.”

It was the first time I’d heard Luca call CopeDad, which had a different kind of pang lighting in my chest. But it couldn’t drown out the panic and fear wrapping around my insides.

“Mushy-gushy, huh?” Shep asked as he strode in, Thea at his side.

Luca made a gagging noise. “Theworst.”

Shep chuckled. “Sorry we’re late.” He glanced behind him. “Someonehad to finish her gift for Linc.”

Lolli bustled in behind them, holding what looked like a piece of art wrapped in brown butcher paper. “The artistic process cannot be rushed.”

“I tried to explain that to him,” Thea said, her lips twitching.

Lolli shook her head. “I’m really hoping you’ll be a good influence on my grandson. Get him to loosen up.” She paused for a moment. “You know, I’m working on a new blend of my brownies that helps in the mushy-gushy department. You and Shep should?—”

“Lolli,” Shep and half the room said at the same time.

She straightened, her countless necklaces jingling with the move. “What? Can’t a grandmother offer her assistance?”

“Not in the mushy-gushy department,” Kye said, struggling not to laugh.

Lolli let out a huff and crossed toward me and Linc. “I try to help, and all I get is grief.” She stopped in front of Linc and extendedthe gift. “I thought you might need a little something to brighten your day after your ordeal. I worked round the clock to get it done.”

A few snickers and smothered laughs sounded throughout the room. Linc glanced from Lolli to me. “Should I be scared?”

“Very,” I told him honestly.

Lolli just scoffed. “Oh, just open it. You’re gonna love it.”

Carefully and methodically, Linc tore into the butcher paper. Dropping it to the floor, he stared at the piece of diamond art Lolli had created. His brows pulled together as he frowned. And then he saw it.

The glittering piece of art was set on a backdrop of ice. There was a pile of pucks, but the two at the top were artfully arranged into what looked like balls. Sprouting from them was a hockey stick with a very unique…tip.

All my siblings and their partners moved to circle the painting so they could see it. Rhodes choked out a laugh first. “Is that a diamond dick stick?”

“What’s a dick stick?” Keely singsonged.

Kye held up both hands. “That’s on you,” he told Rhodes. “I’m not taking the fall when Trace wants to know where his kid learned that one.”

Fal dissolved into giggles. “Diamond dick stick. Where are you going to hang it, Linc?”

Linc just stared at the piece for a long moment. “I think it’s going to take me a minute to figure out the best spot.”

“Smart,” Lolli said, patting him on the shoulder. “You’ll want it in the place with the best energy and flow. And I bet Shep can put in some custom lighting to make sure it really glitters.”

“Oh, I can do that, no problem,” Shep said, struggling not to laugh.

Linc’s eyes narrowed on him. “Just as long as you do the same in your new place. I hear Thea has a dick-gourd painting that needs a place of honor.”

The smile slipped right off Shep’s face. “You fight dirty.”

Linc chuckled, but his hand instantly went to his side. I shoved the bottle of pills into his hand. “Take one.”

“She’s right,” Nora said, crossing to us and placing a steaming plate of lasagna and a salad on the side table. “You need to stay ahead of the pain, or you won’t recover as quickly. Three bites of lasagna, the pill, then the rest of your dinner.”

Linc sighed. “Okay.”

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