Frowning, I shake it off, deciding she must be floating around somewhere else. I duck into the bathroom for a quick glance in the mirror, smoothing my hair and adjusting my red lipstick, making sure Levy didn’t smudge any away. With one last look, I step out, and head toward the backyard to see what kind of scene Levy’s gotten himself into.
The second I step out into the backyard, it feels like walking into another world. The fog machine is pumping, rolling clouds of mist across the grass while the black lights make every white costume and neon color glow like it’s alive. The skeleton arch at the entrance towers over everyone, and the fake gravestones lining the fence catch the glow from the strobes, making them look almost real.
From across the yard, I spot Levy instantly. Even in that ridiculous orange jumpsuit, he’s handsome as ever—and he’s already the center of some small circle. We look good—hell, dangerously good. My thighs press together, I can’t help imagine him peeling that jumpsuit off later, just for me.
From the corner of my eye, I spot Arina tucked away in a shadowy corner near the fence, leaning in close to some guy. I can’t see his face clearly—the fog’s too thick, and thestrobes keep flashing like lightning—but I know her body language anywhere. The playful curve of her smile, the slow tilt of her head.
She’s clearly already tipsy.AndI know I’ll get the full story later— and probably in way more detail than I need to know.
I throw myself back into the madness, tossing out smiles, clinking cups, letting the music thump through my chest. Everyone’s buzzing, and the energy hits me like a shot I realize I haven’t had yet.
Then, like he owns the damn night, Levy appears. He cuts through the crowd, two girls hanging off his every word, all giggles and glitter. But the second his eyes land on me, it’s game over. His smirk sharpens, and suddenly, the extras fade from his frame. He offers the drink with a grin that feels warmer than the alcohol ever could. “Here you go beautiful,” he grins, pressing the cup into my hand.
I brush a quick kiss against his lips before taking the cup. “Thanks, baby, right on time.” The liquor goes down—smooth, yet dangerous.
By the time I realize it, I’m about five drinks in—maybe more—but oh well. My limbs feel like jello, my grin’s permanent, and my feet are doing their own choreography. But at least I’m not obsessing over shit I can’t control.
I’m just... here. In the moment.
My brother’s playing bouncer at the front door like he’s getting paid too. My best friend is somewhere in the crowd, probably dragging someone to her room. And my Levy is right here in front of me, exactly where he’s supposed to be.
Tonight, I’m letting go. Just for tonight, I’ll give myself permission to have fun—and maybe cause a little chaos while I’m at it.
Chapter Twenty Seven
The Uninvited
T
he night explodes around me like a live wire. The bass hitting so hard it practically rewrites my heartbeat, theft grass under my feet sinking my heels. Bodies are packed tight, pulsing in sync like we are all part of one giant, slightly tipsy organism. Voices rise over the music—shouts, laughter, the occasional off-key chorus. It’s chaos. Glorious, glitter-streaked Halloween chaos.
And I’m dead center.
I lost count of my drinks a while ago, and at this point, it’s probably safer not to know. My hair’s collecting all the sweat under my hat, my cheeks hurt from grinning like an idiot, my heel sinks with every step I take but guess what? I don’t care.
Levy’s behind me, arms locked around my waist like he knows exactly what he’s got. I move with him, hips swaying to the beat, and the crowd around us loses their collective mind. Someone grabs my hand yanking me into a vibrating ring of girls in fishnets and glitter, and slutty maid skirts bouncing like we’re in some kind of fever dream.
It’s wild, sweaty, and absolutely perfect. I’m not stressing about rent, my mom, or the ten thousand other things constantly clawing at my patience. This is the only thing I want exhausting my mind.
I stumble back toward the edge of the crowd, grinning like a maniac. Levy catches me without missing a beat, pulling me with one arm, stealing a kiss. My lips taste like booze and smudged lipstick, but he looks at me after like he’s good with either.
Then—buzzkill alert—my brother starts making his way toward us, face tight and eyes locked on me like a heat-seeking missile. Even through my funhouse mirror vision, I can tell he’s pissed.
“Come here,” he demands. His voice clipped and way too serious for a party.
I glance at Levy, who immediately picks up the energy. “I’ll be right back,” I tell him, trying to sound casual, even though my stomach is already knotting.
“You want me to come with you?” he asks, brows drawn tight.
I shake my head. “It’s fine babe. I got it.”
I grab my brother’s arm for balance and immediately stumble, because of these gorgeous fucking stripper heels. He steadies my face, guiding me towards the house, in silent panic. At the door, he finally stops and turns to me, eyes full of something that looks suspiciously like guilt.
“Mom’s here.” He says flatly.
The alcohol rises in my throat—threatening—but I swallow it down, my jaw clenching. “What the fuck—what the fuck do you mean she’s here?” I hiss. “How does she even know where I’m staying?”
He runs a hand down his face like that’s going to hide the fact that he’s a fucking idiot. “I told her I was helping you with something tonight. She asked where, and… I told her. I didn’t think she’d show up.”
