Page 20 of Come Back to Me

I chuckle. “Alright, well, I better let you get changed.”

“Yeah, that would be a good idea.” Violet’s eyes flutter as she smiles at me, strutting into her room.

I wink at her before she closes the door.

My willpower is impeccable these days. I wantedto kiss her so much, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself if I succeeded.

I head into one of their guest rooms and plop onto the bed, scrolling on my phone.

Fifteen minutes later, Blake comes out of his room. “Alright bro, I’m ready.”

I can’t help myself from bursting out into laughter.

A frown appears on his face. “What’s so funny?”

“I can’t believe your parents let you wear shit like this.”

“It’s Halloween, you idiot.”

He has a gelled curl sitting perfectly on top of his forehead, and he’s dressed in blue tights.

This is too funny.

I suck my lips in. “I can’t take you seriously when you’re dressed like this.”

“Whatever. I’m going downstairs to see if anybody has shown up yet. I can’t wait to make fun of you when you’re inyourcostume.”

“It’ll be better than your costume, that’s for sure.”

“Don’t you ever disrespect the big S,” Blake says as he walks away from me and goes downstairs.

When I enter Blake’s bedroom, I throw my backpack onto his bed and unzip the main compartment. Pulling out my Halloween costume, I walk into the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror.

This is pathetic.

It takes me around thirty minutes to get my costume on. I’m surprised I didn’t have any issues because this thing is so tight. I thought I was going to struggle with zipping it up, but I didn’t.

I take a good look at myself in Blake’s floor-length mirror, regretting my decision to come here tonight. I should’ve hung out with Noah instead. He’s probably with our other best friend, Xander. I bet whatever they’re doing right now is better than being here.

Moving my backpack against his dresser, I racedownstairs. I make my way to the Prescott’s massive patio area. I’m looking around for Blake, and he’s nowhere to be seen.

A hand slaps down on my shoulder, and I jump. I turn around and see my best friends standing in front of me.

Damn, they just made a liar out of me.

“What the hell are you guys doing here?”

Xander looks at me. “We wanted to see what all the fuss is about with the Prescott family Halloween parties.”

Noah smacks his lips together. “He’s not wrong. We were bored out of our minds at my house. Lizzie and Dani keep watching the same movies on repeat. We needed to get out of there.”

“No,youwere the one who needed to get out of there,” Xander corrects Noah.

“Whatever. What matters is that we’re all here together.” Noah wraps his arms around Xander and I. “Where’s your best friend, huh?” He asks with sarcasm loaded throughout his tone.

“Blake is myfriend. You guys are mybestfriends. Also, I have no clue where he is.”

As I scan what feels like hundreds of people surrounding us, my eyes land on Violet.