Cap decides to hide in my bedroom while I talk to my family. A little part of me worries he’ll find something embarrassing in my belongings. Of course, we’ll soon live together, and our secrets won’t last long.

I spot Gram Jodi out on the back porch with Mom and Pop. They’re talking about the club’s potluck that weekend rather than gossiping about my love life. That’s got to be a good sign, right?

“Hey, Gram,” I say, patting the top of her curly blonde hair.

“Saw that boyfriend of yours beat poor Colt half to death,” she announces. “Gotta love a man who can throw a punch.” Instantly protective of her boy, Mom frowns at Gram who shrugs. “I come from a different generation, Farah.”

“I’m sure you hated watching Cooper and Tucker fight when they were young.”

“Only if they lost.”

While Mom rolls her eyes, I sit in a chair next to Gram. “Did you hear that I’m moving?”

“Yes. When will that be?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Mom cries in a choked voice.

“But I’m not moving into that house. Cap and I talked, and I’m not ready to be alone in a place. So I’ll stay at his parents’ house while we fix up that rental.”

“Did he run that plan by his parents?” Pop mutters.

“This is better all around. I’ll be less homesick if I live with a family.”

“Not your family, though,” Gram points out.

“Still a family. They’re important to Cap, and they’ll be important to me too.”

“You shouldn’t be underfoot at a stranger’s house,” Mom insists.

“We have more people living in this house, and no one is underfoot.”

“Speak for yourself,” Pop grumbles.

“Then you should be happy I’m leaving.”

“You seem different today,” Mom says, leaning closer. “Did something happen? Are you high?”

Gram laughs instantly, and even Pop looks slightly amused at the idea that I’m popping pills to get this happy.

“Someone got laid,” Gram says, and I instantly lose my smile.

“Gross,” I tell her.

“Not how I did it,” she says and smiles wistfully. “Your Pop-Pop fucked like a pro.”

“No,” Pop says, shaking his head. “To both of that shit. No sex for Audrey and no hearing about my father pounding you.”

“Coop,” Mom groans. “Pounding?”

“Well, it sounded like pounding when I was a kid hearing them through the walls.”

“And it probably sounds the same way when your kids hear you pounding Farah.”

“She isn’t wrong,” I mumble and then scowl darker. “Wait, Pop, so now I can never have sex? Are you fucking kidding with that?”

“You will not have sex. I deny you that right.”

Gram bursts into laughter, which only makes Pop roll his eyes. Even Mom looks at him as if he’s nuts.

“Not that you must know, I did not have sex last night. Well, not dick-to-pussy sex anyway.”

“Never speak to me again,” Pop says, sending Mom into the same rolling giggles as Gram. Pop glares at them. “It’s not funny!”

“Pop, how do you expect to get grandkids if I can’t have sex?”

“I don’t want grandkids. Our babies only recently grew up. I don’t want new babies around here.”

“I want grandkids,” Mom says, still laughing.

“No, you don’t, Farah.”

“What if Colton knocks up a bar whore?” I ask, poking at his absurd no-sex rule which feels oddly recent. “Is that okay or should you snip his balls before he breeds?”

“Your brother knows how to use a condom.”

“I don’t even want to know why you’re so certain.”

Pop stands up and gestures around us. “Do you see any bastards running around?”

“Today, but who knows by tomorrow.”

“Stop talking about your brother’s sex life and your sex life and my mother’s sex life.”

“I wasn’t talking about Gram and Pop-Pop’s sex life.”

“That was me, baby,” Gram says, snickering.

“This entire conversation is evil.”

I can’t imagine three women laughing at him is good for the ego, but Pop brought on the mockery.

“Not to change the subject from how Pop was seeded in Gram’s womb, but I need to start packing. I only plan to take two suitcases of stuff. I’ll get my posters and albums when the house is ready to decorate. Besides, I’ll be back a lot and don’t want my room feeling emptied out.”

“A lot,” Mom says and sighs.

“Yes. It’s only a few hours from here.”

Gram taps Pop’s hand. “You two could drive down this weekend and spend time with the giant boy’s parents. Get to know each other better.”

“I already know Hayes plenty.”

“That’s business. You could be thinking of these people as family soon.”

“I’m officially out,” Pop says, standing up and storming into the house.

“That’s a great idea, Gram,” I say and look at Mom. “Do you think you could drive down for the weekend?”

“Of course.”

“I’m really excited.”

“I know, and I’m happy for you,” Mom says before bursting into tears.

Hurrying to her chair, I kneel down and hug her tightly. “Don’t be sad.”

“I just wasn’t ready for you to go.”

“But I’ll be here so much that you won’t even miss me.”

Mom grips me tighter. “I will, though. You’re my baby.”

“Rando and Lily will pick up the slack. You can hug them extra especially Rando. She needs you to squeeze the weird out of her.”

Mom laughs through her tears and cups my face. “I’m scared for you, but I don’t want that to stop you from being brave. You are strong and smart enough to do whatever you want.”

My thumb wipes away a tear from her cheek. “You built a new life in Ellsberg when you were just a kid. Dad helped you stay strong, just like Cap will help me when I build a life in White Horse.”

“Your pop likes to complain, but he’s proud of you. He likes Cap too. Well, as much as a man like him can like a man like Cap. You know how those rough, tough fellas are.”

Grinning at Mom’s wording, I’m starting to see who inspired Lily’s grandma lingo. She certainly didn’t get it from Gram who chases Pop, calling him a fucking baby while he tries to outrun her. Knowing my pop, he’ll let her catch up. He just can’t disappoint his mama. Also, she’ll just wait until later to jump out and attack. The woman won’t be defeated by her kids, even if it means she’ll have to cheat to win.