Bea sits on the opposite side, and Bolt immediately takes it as an invitation, hopping up between us and sprawling across the remaining space like he owns it. He’s gotten so big since I got here, far too big for a trailer this size. But his sweet, easy nature makes up for it.
“All right, movie time. Pizza’s on the way!” Lou drops to the floor in front of me instead of bothering to move Bolt, tugging a blanket over her legs and grabbing the remote. “Come on, Billy. Quit pretending like you’re not eating your candy.”
Billy laughs, hopping down and launching himself into her arms, his cape fluttering behind him.
The room settles, warm and soft, as the opening music begins to play. And just like that, I sink into it, into them.
I love it here.
CHAPTER 46
johnnie
NOW
Pizza fully devoured,the grease-stained box pushed aside, the movie rolls into my favorite scene, the Halloween party Max and Dani’s parents are at. The room onscreen pulses with music and bodies, and then the witches take the stage, full of haunting mischief, and launch into “I Put a Spell on You.”
When I look over, Billy’s head is tipping forward, eyelids heavy, his sugar crash finally catching up to him. His mask bunches awkwardly beneath his chin as he fights sleep.
Bea’s thumbs move quickly over her phone, her focus sharp, when she pauses and looks up at me.
“Hey,” she says, lowering her phone slightly. “Campbell asked if I could drive you home. Apparently Collins started feeling sick, and he just dropped him off.”
The words land heavy.Well…there goes my plans for tonight.Sick?
A small knot tightens in my chest. Maybe I can make him some soup. Cuddle with him. Play nurse for the night.
“Okay,” I say. “You don’t mind?”
“Nope. It’s on the way to Campbell’s house anyway.” Her lips curve into a teasing smirk, eyebrows lifting in a way that tells me there’s a story sitting just beneath the surface.
I narrow my eyes at her, a grin tugging at my mouth. “Oh, so you’re going to his house, huh? I think you have some details to fill me in on.”
Beside us, Billy suddenly straightens, blinking hard like he’s been wide awake the entire time. Bea flicks her gaze toward him.
“I will definitely do that,” she says lightly, voice dropping just a touch. “But it’ll have to wait until there aren’t little ears around.”
A laugh slips out of me as I push myself to my feet. Bolt’s tail thumps against the couch when I reach down to pat his head.
“Okay,” I say, looking at the door, mind already on the other side of it. “We should probably head out. I need to check on him.”
And just like that, the spell of the movie breaks. Unease settles in.
I runthrough the contents of Collins’ pantry in my head as we glide down the dark, winding road along the lake, taking inventory of everything I bought earlier, what I might need to throw together some chicken noodle soup. Broth, carrots, celery…I’m halfway through mentally checking off ingredients when the opening chords of “I’m Gonna Be” by The Proclaimers sing through the speakers.
A soft breath leaves me, almost a laugh.
This song.
Ours, mine and Bea’s.
I can’t even remember when it started. One day it just…was. A constant. Since we were kids, we’ve blasted it through speakers, twirling around living rooms and backyards, singing at the top of our lungs until we’re breathless, doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down our faces. It’s stitched into so many memories of us.
Bea turns down the long gravel driveway, tires crunching beneath us, and as the house comes into view, something shifts in my chest. My gaze catches on two familiar shapes parked in the drive, Crandall’s motorcycle and Campbell’s truck.
My stomach drops.
“I thought Campbell dropped him off?” The words come out sharp. My heart stutters, then kicks hard against my ribs. He didn’t feel good, did something happen?
