The following night, with no idea what to dress up as and feeling uncertain about showing up to Boone’s without a costume, I’m lying in bed watching video of Pacific High School’s soccer team. We’ll play them next if we win ourregional championship. They’ve been inconsistent this season, but when they’re on, they look as good as any other team in the state. Including us.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I set my laptop on the coffee table before pulling it out.
Rowan:Where are you?
Before I can reply, he sends another.
Rowan:Get to Boone’s house. NOW.
And then, as if he assumed I was going to make an excuse or say no, he sends a picture. It’s of him and Lacey, both in costume, with the party in the background. Rowan is a vampire, complete with face makeup and fake teeth. I chuckle at his costume, but it’s Lacey’s that has me sucking in a breath.
Fuck, she’s hot. I mean, she always is, but tonight she’s on a whole other level. Her costume is a tight, silver holographic dress that molds to her body and stops high up on her thighs. She has on silver makeup, and her hair is slicked back from her face with a headband that has silver balls on top of it. She’s the sexiest alien I’ve ever seen. Beam me up. Damn.
Despite wanting to see it in person, I don’t immediately get to my feet. I never really liked Halloween. Dad never let me eat candy and junk food, so the few times we went trick or treating it seemed kind of pointless.
I’ve been telling myself all day I wasn’t going tonight because I needed to stay home and keep my focus on our upcoming games, but maybe that was a lie, becausethe thought of walking in there and being around Lacey, feeling the way I do about her, sounds painful.
And while she did sort of invite me last night, I don’t know. Ever since I told the guys I liked her, I’ve been second-guessing myself.
The last time I dated someone, I was terrible at it. I don’t want to be terrible at it with Lacey.
I like her. Maybe she likes me. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m shit at relationships or that this is just about the worst timing to be starting up something. I’ve never had to talk myself into staying home or focusing on soccer before.
I’m still sitting there contemplating what to do when another text comes in. I expect it to be Rowan taunting me more, but when I see Lacey’s name, I freeze.
Lacey:Greetings, earthling! Are you coming to Boone’s tonight?
She included a selfie of her holding up a peace sign, smiling at the camera. At me.
My gut twists.
I’m standing and grabbing my keys off the counter as I tap out a reply.
Me:On my way.
I don’t let myself think about anything on the drive over. As I walk into Bobby Boone’s house, I have a singular focus—find Lacey. What I’ll do after that, I have no clue.
Rowan spots me first. He appears by my side, looking even more ridiculous in person than he had in the photohe sent earlier.
“You made it,” he says, but with his fake teeth it comes out sounding sort of jumbled. He grins mischievously. “The lack of costume is disappointing, but hey, at least you’re here. Does she know you’re here yet?”
“No. I just got here.” And am seriously considering walking right back out. This feels like an epically bad idea. Lacey and I don’t make any sense. Tonight is the perfect example of that. She loves this kind of thing, and I can’t remember the last time I dressed up on Halloween.
And even worse, if I’m wrong about her liking me back, I’m going to lose my tutor and someone who has become a good friend.
“Last I saw her she was heading upstairs to the bathroom. You can’t miss her. Just look for the hottest, sparkliest girl at the party.”
I grind down on my back molars and a low sound like a growl escapes. Rowan finds this hilarious.
“Relax, Cap. I texted you, didn’t I?” He chuckles quietly. “But don’t think I’m the only one who’s noticed. She could walk out of here with any guy she wanted.”
A dozen retorts are on the tip of my tongue, including a denial that Lacey would do that. She’s not into casual hookups. Lacey is a relationship kind of girl. It’s the only reason she doesn’t have guys swarming her on the regular. Though I imagine if she batted her lashes at any one of the guys at school, they’d be into whatever the hell she wanted.
She’s beautiful. She’s smart. She’s fun and bubbly. And right now, I just want her to be mine without thinking too much about anything else.
“Well, go get her,” Rowan urges me on.
I don’t move, and he places his hands on my shoulders.
