“We could make that happen. It is Halloween and all.”
“Maia,” I yell across the diner, but only because it’s empty as per usual. She scoots in next to me.
“What’s up?”
“Halloween party,” Brinley says.
“Ooo, fun.” She smiles. “Where?”
“Declan’s.”
“Well, I’m out.” Maia goes to stand up, but I pull her back down.
“I didn’t call you over here to invite you,” I respond.
“You just wanted to rub it in my face?” she asks.
“No. Brinley thinks I’m going.”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Maia continues. “You used to love Halloween.”
“Yeah, the keywordused to.”
“Em, you can’t get out of it,” Brinley continues. “I already have our costumes picked out.”
“Oh no.” I drop my head on the table. I can only imagine the getup she’s going to have us in.
“We’re gonna be puck-bunnies!” Her head flies back in a fit of laughter as I sit up. “How amazing is that?”
“Mollie and her friends already hate me enough. I’m not gonna wear a costume that gives another reason.”
“Trust me, they aren’t offended by the term. I mean, unless someone’s an ass about it, the term doesn’t have to be derogatory. I think if men can sleep with anyone they want, women should have the same choice. In this case, these women like sleeping with hockey players. Nothing wrong with it. I myself want to sleep with one, so.”
“And how much clothing, or lack thereof, does this costume require?”
“As little or as much as you would like,” she replies. “We’re gonna have bunny ears and a hockey jersey on. The rest of the costume is up to you. You could wear jeans or—” she eats another fry, “—you could wear shorts underneath, but just for protection.”
“Protection?”
“To cover your underwear, but not long enough to be seen under the jersey,” Maia inserts.
“Got it.” I finally take a fry and blow on it. “Pants it is.”
“It was worth a shot.” Brin shrugs, and then she pauses. “So, you’re coming.”
“I don’t think I said that.”
“You pretty much did.” Maia smiles, pressing a kiss to the side of my head. “They grow up so fast.”
“Brinley,” I sigh, “did we not talk about your brother shutting me down?”
“It sounds like you both shut it down by not jumping each other’s bones.”
I fling a fry across the table, but she ducks, and it flies over her head and onto the table behind her. Luckily, the table was empty, so I didn’t accidentally hit a stranger.
“I shut down the idea of a false hope.”
“He likes you, Em.” She sips her strawberry milkshake, and that mischievous glint is back. “And I don’t know about you, but I have a good feeling about Halloween.”
