“And you’d better get your butt crack to that dock on time or else,” Big Mac said.

“When did Dad turn into a drill sergeant?” Mac asked, his mouth full of pizza.

“You be quiet for once and listen,” Big Mac said, drawing howls of laughter from the others and a scowl from his eldest son.

“We’ll be met at the ferry landing in Point Judith by a bus that’ll take us to Logan Airport in Boston, where you’ll be given your plane tickets,” Big Mac continued.

“He don’t trust us with ’em,” Ned commented to snorts of laughter.

“You got that right,” Big Mac said. “From Boston, we’ll connect through Charlotte and San Juan before arriving in Anguilla at six o’clock local time. We’ll be met by shuttles from the resort and then shown to our beachfront accommodations.”

“OhmyGod,” Tiffany said. “I can’t freaking wait.”

“Freaking is a bad word, Mommy,” Ashleigh said.

“I know, baby, but in this case, it’s allowed.”

“Your mom wants to play naked boy-naked girl with Blaine,” Mac said, earning a glare from his brother-in-law.

“Yes, I do,” Tiffany replied, sending the others into hysterics.

“I thought we weren’t allowed to play that game anymore,” Ashleigh said, setting off another round of laughter.

“You’re not,” Tiffany told her adorable look-alike daughter. “But mommies and daddies are allowed to.”

“My mommy and daddy play that game a lot,” Thomas said. “I seen it.”

Maddie’s eyes got very big and very round as she covered her son’s mouth with her hand while Mac lost his shit laughing. “Oh. My. Sweet. Hell.”

The meeting descended into chaos after that, but Big Mac didn’t mind. He’d told them what they needed to know, and everything was in place to ensure a smooth trip from one island to another.

His wife slipped her arm around his waist. “Well done, my love. You missed your calling as a travel agent.”

“Aw, thanks, but it was only fun because it was for this crew of lunatics.”

“It’s going to be the best time ever.”

He couldn’t agree more. The only thing he was worried about now was the weather. You could plan anything but that.

Evan noticed Owen go into the kitchen and not come back, so while the others razzed Maddie about Thomas’s hilarious comment, Evan went to see what was up with his best friend.

Owen stared out the window at the darkness, his arms braced on either side of the sink.

“What’s up, O?” Evan helped himself to two of his father’s beers. He opened one for himself and the other for his friend.

“Thanks.” Owen took the beer from Evan and tipped back half of it in one swallow, which was unusual for him.

“Something wrong?”

“Nah, it’s all good. How are you? Ready for this?”