Home.

She’d begun to think of Royal’s place as home. Every time they pulled up the long drive leading to the little rise the house sat on, she relaxed. It was like a weight being lifted. That house was solace and safety, and it had Royal in it, which made it even better.

Two months and she felt like she’d known him forever. He held the door for her and then took her hand. That too had simply become a natural thing. Touching him like he was hers. And as totally crazy as it seemed, he was.

Shep waited in the outer room for them.

Royal patted him on the shoulder. “Want to grab a bite? I was just about to take your sister out for burgers and rings because I’m a party animal like that.”

“Are you sure we’re, you know, welcome at the Pumphouse after the fight with Benji?” Caroline asked quietly. “We can go to the Sands or El Cid.” The Honey Bear closed at six so their usual spot wasn’t available.

Royal shrugged. “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

“Aren’t you sick of drama?”

“You know, I sat in that room while you tossed yourself into a stranger’s house willy-nilly. But I kept my mouth shut because right is right and with Shane going it’s fine. He’s better with shooting someone in the face if they try to hurt you. You live in Petal, and I will not have you hiding because of what other people did. I’m with you. We’ll sit away from the windows. But we’re going to the Pumphouse, and we’re having a burger and rings and if anyone gets in my way when I’m trying to give that to you, God help them.”

She smiled up at him. “Wow.”

The deep lines of anger faded into a surprised—but pleased—smile. “I was inspired.”

Shep sighed. “Can you two just not with all that? Jeez. You’re worse than tenth graders.”

“I’m sorry to be such a trial.” Caroline winked, happy to be with both of them. “So you coming with us to have burgers and possibly a fight that ends with Grandmother having to pick you up from jail? I can pay your bail, but she’s your legal guardian.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

She hadn’t told either of them what Garrett had said to Polly, and it lay heavy on her mind as they had a relatively trouble-free dinner. Their server had asked after her, saying she’d heard about all the attacks. She’d received several smiles and a few waves.

Of course she also got a few dark looks, and she couldn’t stop wondering if they’d heard from Garrett or his gossip and thought she’d actually be capable of faking all the horrible stuff that had happened to her.

“You okay?” Royal asked her quietly when Shep headed to the bathroom. “I know this is a tense time, but you seem preoccupied, or more preoccupied than usual. People have seemed pretty okay tonight, did I miss something?”

“No, everyone is fine. I just…I had lunch with Anne today. I think I forgot to say that. But anyway, it was fine so get that look off your face. Jeez. Polly came in right before we left, and she told me about this rumor Garrett is spreading. I don’t know if I should tell Shep, and I’m paranoid and wondering if people believe what he’s been saying. Oh and I may actually connect with the evidence that could clear my father’s name and send the real killer of my mother to prison. It’s a little overwhelming in my head right now.”

“I know. I shouldn’t have suggested dinner out. I just don’t want you to hide. Fuck that ass**le trying to make you hide in shame for something happening to you.”

“No, it was good. I should be out and about. I should be hanging out with my brother. I should be sitting with you in a back booth pretending I didn’t see you steal those rings from my plate.”

“As for telling Shep—because you will of course tell me on the way home—will it affect him somehow? Will he hear it eventually because all gossip gets around, it’s impossible to avoid it? And when he does, will it hurt him that you didn’t tell him first?”

“Garrett is telling people I faked all this stuff to happen to me to make it look like my father is innocent.”

“He what? I told him. I warned him what would happen if he kept this up.”

Jesus.

“Okay. Whoa. While it would be incredibly satisfying to let you punch him, it’s a little busy just now. Also, if you punch him it involves you yet again in this bullshit.”

Shep came back out and took a look at the two of them as he slid into the booth across from them. “What?”

So she told them both the whole story, and at the end she held up both hands. “Shep, you have to go back home and you’ll be seeing Garrett and that’s why I told you.” Royal’s point about how he’d hear it eventually anyway was spot on. But she didn’t want any more of this to spill over into anyone else’s life if she could help it.

“Yeah I’m going to see him. I’m going to see him and then I’m going to punch him.”

“Well I’m so glad I told you then.” She leaned over the table. “Enrique Shepard Mendoza, be smart. You have a bright future ahead of you. Don’t screw it up by getting into some dick-measuring contest with a man with no dick and no spine. You got me? Our revenge for this is proving Dad innocent and putting Mom’s killer away. Garrett doesn’t matter. Not in the big picture.”

“How can Mindy and Grandma let him do the stuff he does?”

“Oh, honey, I don’t know what to tell you. I was raised by our mom. She taught me to respect myself and demand a partner who respected me too. But Mom didn’t raise Mindy. Not for long enough to make an impact. Abigail Lassiter raised her. And look, she didn’t have to. They stepped in and did what they were supposed to, I never fault them for that. But her vision of marriage and relationships is distinctly old school. I want you to understand something really important. Abigail Lassiter has her own opinions. No one tells her how to think. If she wanted to shut Garrett down, she could. She’s the true alpha there. Just keep your head down. Finish school. Spread your wings and go off to college.”