Page 39 of Homecoming

“Goddammit,” Digby snarls. “Why does no one tell meanythin’around here? Zak, did you know about Riley’s engagement?”

“Uh, no,” Zak takes a breath. “Well, not exactly. Diggs, I swear I would’ve told you if I did.C’mon, let’s forget this and go get some breakfast, I’m starving.”

They turn to leave, watching as Mikah rounds up the hyenas, and they do as Rhys said and pack up their belongings.

“Hey,” a stern voice echoes behind them, “I thought you said they were leaving this morning?” Darius stands watching from the steps of the porch.

“Yeah, and they are—they’re nowgoin’,” Digby responds.

“Good. But they should have been gone last night. Digby, you need to get a grip on things if you’re going to be any kind of leader.”

“Me, get a grip on things? Well, maybe if you didn’t keepinterferin’in every damn part of my life, then I could.”

“Whoa…C’monboys, let’s cool it and have our breakfast in peace.” Marco shakes his head as he steps between them. “What did Rhys want?”

“He wasdroppin’champagne and glasses for Riley’s engagement. Do you knowanythin’about that?” Digby looks up, questioning both Darius and Marco.

“Yeah. He came to see me yesterday and asked if it would be okay to hold a small celebration. I said we wouldn’t have a problem with a small gathering of friends and family—his mom and dad.”

“Does Kat know about this? About him getting engaged?”

“I’d guess he’s told her by now. You know those two talk about everything. Digby, it’s really nothing to worry about—just a small meet-the-family type barbecue.” Marco smiles.

“Well, Rhys looked like he had enough champagne to bathe in. Maybe we should check it out?”

“Yeah, why not. Free food, free champagne… I’d say it sounds cool,” Zak grins in anticipation.

The boys return inside the house to the kitchen. “Mm, you know that smells really good.” Digby licks his lips.

“My special eggs with bacon and caramelized onion muffin. You want some?” Helena smiles as she plants a pink lipstick kiss on his cheek. “Hey, bambino… smile,” she grabs the fleshy part of his cheeks and, pinching them between her fingers, she tugs. “Mister Digby, you look like you have the weight of the world. Relax. Come eat.”

“I’m good, thanks, but I will eatcuzthat breakfast looks sofreakin’good and I’m so damn hungry.” He looks around at the two empty high-chairs. “Hey, don’t tell me the twins are stillsleepin’in? That has to be a record for Lukas.”

“Uh-no. No, Mister Noah, hetakethem out early—he let Mrs. Kat rest, she very tired. She ate all the pastrami and cheese sandwiches I left in the refrigerator for Marco last night. Is she okay?”

“Uh… I guess all theshiftin’she’sdoin’to feed the pup it makes her more tired and hungry. Probably, best to let her sleep—hell, she might wake up in a better mood that way.”

“Diggs, don’t worry, it’s gonna be fine.” Zak rubs his shoulderasthey’re joined in the kitchen by Bud and Oz.

“What’sgoin’on?” Digby frowns, looking at Bud as he sits at the table, still wearing his sunglasses.

“Ohuh… that hooty liquor. Man, I’m never drinking that shit again.” Bud groans. “Where is everyone?”

“Kat’s stillsleepin’and Noah took the boys out already.”

“And Darius?”

“I have no idea. I guess he went back to his office. Geez, that guy never rests”

“Talking of guys that never sleep… Noah’s back already.”

They all watch as the tall man passes the kitchen window and opens the door.

Lukas comes bounding inside and the pup immediately leaps up onto the counter before he licks Digby’s face. “Whoa… Slow down, kid, and get down from there!”

“Hey… Hey,Mister Lukas!” Helena snaps, slapping the pup with the red plastic fly swat. “Get off my counter… it for glasses not for little pup asses, now get down!”

Lukas yips with a loud bark as he jumps down, spins around and runs out of the room.

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