I heard the censure in the question. How could we be related and I not know? “Yeah, he’s my cousin. My favorite family member. Well, really, pretty much the only one I talk to. He’s kind of a big deal, so we don’t get to spend much time together.”
She tutted. “I’m sorry, dear.”
“Me, too. I’m here, though, so I’ll see you guys soon.” Without waiting for a reply, I hit end on the console, parked right in front of the entrance, and ran inside.
“Everyone’s in the kitchen,” Buck whispered as soon as I got inside, scaring the crap out of me.
“Jesus. God. Goddess. Err…” I growled, clutching my chest. “Buck. Why are you practically translucent?”
“Ego.Duh.” He disappeared.
Rolling my eyes, I ran down the hallway and into the kitchen. I couldn’t be mad at Buck. He didn’t know what kind of night I’d had or that my arm hurt like the fire of a thousand suns. Did one need a tetanus shot after being beaten by some old-ass spook with piranha teeth?
Ego was standing by the kitchen island, so I ran straight for him, barreling into him and wrapping him in a death grip. He chuckled, but it had no humor. I was freaking the poor guy out. He patted my back awkwardly and asked, “Skylar, you okay?”
I should let him go. I knew that. I was worrying him, definitely worrying Chance, and Elyse would have a fit tomorrow hearing that I’d been so emotional without calling her. But I couldn’t. Seeing my poor baby cousin getting attacked by those spooks had really freaked me out.
“Kingston?” I heard Jetty ask through a fog. “We didn’t know you were coming over, too.”
“Yeah, sorry. I guess I should’ve called,” I heard him say.
“Okay, someone needs to tell me what’s going on.”
Uh-oh. That sharp voice belonged to Elyse, and I was right, she didn’t sound happy.
“I agree with my mother,” Chance said.
The weight of one of Ego’s arms left my body as he said, “Me, three.”
Another pressure hit the small of my back, and I instantly recognized King’s touch. “Come on, Sky. Let your cousin breathe.”
Several gasped, and, “Cousin?” rang through the room.
Stepping back into King’s side, I looked around the large kitchen.Oops. Buck hadn’t been kidding. Legit, everyone was awake and here. Scotty and Stevie were sitting at the table with Buck and Marc—not that Ego could see the two ghosts. Chance had an arm wrapped around his mom’s waist, and Jetty stood behind them like a sentinel.
Harry, hovering behind Ego, snorted. “Of course their cousins. Their smiles are exactly the same.”
I was dying to ask when he’d figured it out and why he hadn’t told me, but King and I had been through enough last night. I couldn’t deal with the fallout of Ego finding out that spirits were real.
Ego’s gaze went from me to King, then over to his grandmother. “Okay, so. What’s going on?”
Gran bumped me out of the way with a flick of her hip, which was when I noticed she was wearing a housecoat that should’ve been burned a couple of decades ago, and that King and I were both in pajama bottoms and t-shirts, too. Good grief. I really had no chill, and my panic must’ve rubbed off on them.
“Hello, young man. Ego, is it? I’m Sky’s boyfriend’s grandmother, Rosie. And you’re his cousin, right? So call me Gran, we’re practically family, after all.”
Pops choked at her words, but he managed to keep his composure enough not to reveal himself to Ego.
Ego’s eyes widened in confusion, then narrowed as he saw King slip his arm around my waist. “What’s up, though?” His gaze found mine. “Is something wrong with you?”
“Um.” I licked my lips.
King stepped up next to his gran, pulling me along with him. “Hi, Ego. Sorry we haven’t met yet. I was having an…interesting week when you first arrived. I’m Kingston, though.” He held out his left hand.
It would sure be easier to know where I stood if Kingston was the one to call himself my boyfriend. I’d said it. Pops had insinuated it—and more. Gran said it repeatedly. Kingston still hadn’t said a thing one way or the other.
Ego stared at it, then shook it while asking, “But why are you all here so early? Did you have to wake up the whole house?”
I did have an answer for that. “No, we didn’t,” I said, shooting daggers in Chance’s direction. He shrugged with a small grin, still looking concerned about me.Gah. My bestie was the bestest.
