He glanced down, his expression softening just a fraction. “I’m only going because I hate the thought of you surrounded by horny men.”
“Same difference,” I teased, biting my lip to hold back a grin.
He smiled, and a laugh broke out of me.
Yeah, I was happy.
28
AINSLEY
“Who invited you to the fest?” I asked Laura from the foot of my bed, watching her as she stood in front of the dresser, trying on different chokers to match her costume.
It was a question I’d meant to ask her since they arrived yesterday afternoon, but there hadn’t been a good time to bring it up. We’d been too busy caught up in the whirlwind of catching up—laughing until our stomachs hurt, trying on clothes for the party, swapping stories about the past two years, and drinking during our movie night. Everything had been light-hearted and chaotic, leaving little room for any proper conversation.
Yesterday felt like a blur. We barely slept, thanks to the endless chatter and glasses of wine, finally crashing sometime around three in the morning. By the time we woke up, it was a little past ten, and none of us had the energy or desire to cook breakfast, so we headed out for brunch instead. We ate until we were too full to move, then wandered around town aimlessly like lost kids, taking a detour past the school for old times’ sake. Not that we were brave enough to go in—our outfits screamed ‘unfit for public view,’ especially since we still wore remnants of last night’s house party makeup and unbrushed hair.
Afterward, I brought up Ma’am Jeena’s café. I reminded them about how she used to give out free caffeine during exam season in high school, which got them all excited to see her again. A quick visit turned into an hour spent gossiping and reminiscing while sipping her now famous Vampire Lattes. Weonly left when the costumes waiting back at my place called for our attention.
And now, we were in the thick of getting ready for the Halloween fright fest, costumes scattered across the room like debris from some unholy ritual. Jade had gone with a Pennywise costume—not the creepy clown version but a sexy twist on it that had me raising an eyebrow when I saw how well it fitted her. The white corset, and bright red pom poms lining the front of it. A frilly tulle skirt billowed out from her hips, with her white thigh-high stockings, tied with little red bows. Everything paired with an extended clown lipstick, red wig in pigtails and a red balloon.
Laura, on the other hand, had the black version of the same costume. But the contrast between the two of them was striking, especially with her accessories: a thick black choker, mismatched striped socks, and a fake blood-streaked axe she kept swinging around like a maniac. Even her makeup was insane.
“It’s Bradley,” Katy replied to me as she rummaged through her bag. “And Laura brought this insane amount of fake blood. Apparently, we’re all getting it smeared across our chests once we finish dressing.”
“I’m telling you, it’ll add the final touch of carnage,” Laura laughed, her fingers tapping the plastic axe on the dresser. “Nothing says Halloween like a little fake murder.”
Meanwhile, I had opted for a Queen of Hearts costume, but not the traditional one. Oh no. My take was the vengeful, unhinged lover version, fierce and ready to reign with cruelty if needed. It was as if I was ready to drag someone’s heart from their chest—metaphorically speaking, of course.
I slipped on my necklace, eyeing my reflection in the full length mirror. The outfit hugged every curve, the black and red corset adorned with card suits—hearts, diamonds, spades—each printed in a faint, blood-streaked pattern. Laura had left hertouch on the outfit, smearing thin, almost artful streaks of blood across the fabric. She knew me too well, knowing I’d choose this one.
The corset cinched tight at my waist, pushing up my breasts in a way that was tempting, and the red satin lacing wound through the front like a weapon waiting to be unleashed. Every movement caused the small streaks of blood to glimmer in the light.
Below the corset, the lace skirt fanned out, scandalously short and flirty, barely grazing my upper thighs. It flared with every step I took, the black lace transparent enough to tease the fishnet stockings underneath—sexy, but deadly. The stockings clung to my legs, a pattern of small red hearts scattered over the fishnet.
Completing the look was a pair of sky-high black stilettos, the heels sharp enough to puncture someone’s skin. But it wasn’t the shoes or the skirt that tied the look together—it was the makeup. My lips were painted in the richest crimson, sharp and bold, a weapon in their own right. My silver wig, cascaded in soft waves down my back. It made my skin look paler, adding to the eerie, broken-hearted queen vibe.
Katy, though, had gone in an entirely different direction. She was dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, but not the innocent version from the fairy-tale. Her grown-up take featured a fitted red corset that accentuated her curves, along with a short, flirty black skirt that showed off her legs underneath the fishnet stockings. The signature red hood draped over her shoulders.
“Look at us,” I laughed, eyeing all of our costumes in the mirror. “This is going to be one wild night.”
Laura grinned, twirling the axe playfully. “We’re ready to raise hell, girls. I hope that fest is prepared for us.”
We laughed, and in an hour, we were out of the house, driving and singing all the way to the party. In the midst of thechaos, I slipped out my phone, checking the unanswered texts I sent to Theon. The last time he stopped texting was around two in the afternoon. I’d frequently updated him because he loved to know what I was up to, and since my friends were at my place, the possibility of them running around in just panties was high, so he’d turned off the cameras and suggested I update him instead.
He’d stopped texting back when I told him we were at Ma’am Jeena’s, and after that, I’d teased him my costume outfit which he also didn’t reply to. Sent him tons of ‘hey, you’re there? Is anything wrong? Hello, why aren’t you responding?’ and they’d gone unread. The last question was if he was still coming to the party. Nothing.
Theon wouldn’t screen my text unless something happened, and a seed of fear had started to grow in my chest, even with the lively energy I was surrounded with.
“This might be Katy’s last Halloween party as a bachelorette...or what is that thing called? God, I’m going to tear up.” Jade faked a sniffle from beside me in the back seat. Laura was driving, and Katy was the passenger princess.
“C'mon. I’m still gonna hang out with you guys,” she said over the music, smiling.
“Definitely. Or I’m going to haunt your house down with that axe beside me,” Laura threatened with a playful glare, and made a mock throat-slitting gesture with her thumb.
I put back my phone, letting out a deep breath. I should enjoy the night, he would be there. He said he would. Not like he’d sit back and let some guy dance with me. He clarified that already.
“I wonder who’s going to be the responsible one and drive back,” Laura said, eyeing everyone. “I’m not an option, I’m drinking myself to death tonight and regretting everything tomorrow.”
