Page 43

“Seemed fitting,” I said with a shrug. “You ready?”

“No.” Andy gave me another glare. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I am,” I agreed, grinning at him before turning back to Caitlyn. “If you change your mind, just come by. It’s at the Column House.”

“I know,” she said. “Thanks, but really. I need to work. Have fun.”

“Well, that’s unlikely,” Andy told her.

“That’s the spirit,” I said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and tugging him toward the door. “Come on, Father Simpson.”

“Don’t fucking call me that,” he said.

I opened the door and pushed him out into the hall. Tonight was going to be so much fun…whether he wanted it to be or not.

Chapter Twenty-Two

~Andy~

The party was already in full swing by time we walked inside, with wall-to-wall people, everyone with the requisite red plastic cups in their hands. Music was blasting and people were dancing in the yard, on the porch and in every room we’d managed to squeeze through so far.

“Father Simpson,” Mark Tafta said, his gaze raking over me. “This is a costume party, Father. You can’t come as yourself.”

“He did,” I said, hooking my thumb toward Trevor. “He’s a giant douchebag.”

“Hey,” Trevor complained. “I’m a high school football player.”

“Like he said,” Mark teased. “Can I grab you guys a drink?”

“I’m good,” I said.

“Right.” Mark nodded. “Priest. How could I forget? Trevor?”

“I’m good, too,” Trevor answered him.

“Pussies,” Mark complained then wandered off.

“He’s super fun,” I said to Trevor. “That’s your best friend, huh?”

“It is indeed,” he agreed, a frown pulling at his lips as he watched Mark push his way through a crowd of people into the kitchen. “Or he was, anyway. He’s been acting really weird lately.”

“Weirder than you?” Caitlyn asked from behind me. “That hardly seems possible.”

“You came!” I pulled her into a quick hug. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, well, Trevor’s right. It’s Halloween. I can study tomorrow.” She blew out a sigh and looked around. “What the fuck do you do at a party? The last one I went to, two assholes fell in the pool.”

“Very funny.” I rolled my eyes. “You’re not wearing a costume.”

“Neither are half the people here,” she said pointedly. “I think Trevor just wanted to see you in the priest getup.”

“I’m not owning up to that,” Trevor said, grinning at me. “Would you two excuse me? I’ll be right back.”

He walked off in the direction Mark had gone and I figured he was just going to talk with his own friends for a while.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I said, fidgeting with the stiff collar at my neck. “I feel like an idiot.”

“Well, you seem to be a big hit,” she said. “Every girl in the room is about to break their neck trying to look like they’re not looking at you. Some of the guys, too.”