Page 88 of Striking Range

“Aww, but you would look so cute in those little ears,” he coos between stifled laughter.

I’m still blushing, so I don’t bother to check his expression—to see if he’s serious or not. If Everett asked it of me, I would wear the dog ears or the snake fangs.

I would do anything.

“You’re ridiculous, Evie.”

“I love it when you say my name.” Those long fingers of his force my eyes back to him, and he kisses me again.

He tastes like forever. He tastes like the very thing I have been waiting my entire life for.

It has been a little over a month since Everett told me that he wants me and about his father, yet it feels as if years have passed. My body has shaped itself to accommodate him; my heart has left a space barren for moments like these—the ones where we are together, and everything is exactly as it should be.

I have been turned into a poet. Love has made me abnormally sweet and dependent, a shell of the man I was before he kissed me.

And as long as that little piece of my past stays a secret, I can’t imagine a thing that could pull us apart.

I am not meant to be alone; I am meant to be his.

“Our friends could be watching,” I say, pulling from his lips.

“Let them,” he demands.

But is he truly ready for that? I haven’t heard a single thing about his father since that night before midterms, but I imagine he’s still not out. It could prove dangerous for him, after all.

My desire for animosity has nothing to do with a hesitation to be out and stake my claim on Evie, and everything to do with my concern for him.

“Come on,” I tell him, standing and offering him a hand. “Let’s go inside and help with the Halloween prep.”

“They’re just making cake pops,” he grumbles, but lets me pull him up anyway.

“Cake pops it is, then.”

Once inside, we find Henry and Kelly in the small kitchen where they’re bickering over dipping techniques. The room smells of pumpkin and freshly baked cookies, and the walls are decorated with autumn leaves not native to Florida, along with various skeletons, jack-o’-lanterns, and spiderwebs.

I toss the light fleece I wore outside onto the couch and head their way. This night will be full of laughter and affection, and I am ready to soak it in.

The beginning of this new era of my life will be rung in with friends, quality time, and Everett.

Everything is as it should be.

Planning for our Halloween party to take place at Henry’s apartment was a wonderful idea. It’s double the size of mine and a bit closer to campus, so our turnout is better than at my birthday party.

The music is bumping; sweaty bodies are mingling all around the living room and bleeding into the kitchen. Kelly is making more spiked apple cider as Everett queues more songs to the ongoing playlist. Henry has started breakdancing amongst the crowd.

I’m unsure what to do with myself in this moment, but helping Kelly might be my best option.

She smiles as I approach, her witch hat tilting at an awkward angle. “Why hello there, little puppy.”

I flush, giving her an aggressive eye roll. “Don’t call me that.”

“But your ears are so cute! And Ev gets to call you that, even when it’s not Halloween,” she teases.

“Yeah, well… Evie is different.”

Kelly smirks, as if she knows something she shouldn’t. I ignore the expression and grab the cinnamon, shaking a good amount into her fake cauldron.

“Everett is different; you’re not wrong,” she continues. “No matter how hard we try, Henry and I can’t penetrate the bubble you two have.”