johnnie
NOW
“I can’t believeyou’re making me wear this.”
Collins tugs the Billy Butcherson shirt down over his head, the one I picked out to match my Winifred Sanderson tee.
I grin, completely unbothered. “We look cute as shit. Don’t even try to deny it. Besides, if Crandall can wear green tights to be Robin, you’re getting off easy.”
I pat his cheek as I pass, grabbing my Vans and slipping them on.
We’re going trick-or-treating with our little crew tonight—Lou and Billy, Crandall, Campbell, and Bea. The thought alone has something warm and giddy bubbling in me.
“You know my brother has it bad when he’s out there in tights,” Collins mutters, shaking his head. “Balls swinging for the whole neighborhood to see just to make his little Batman happy.”
I laugh, picturing it all too clearly.
Everyone’s meeting at Lou’s so we can take on the entire trailer park together.
I freaking love Halloween.
There’s something about it that makes me feel like a kid again.
“Billy’s got all of you wrapped around his finger,” I say, glancing back at Collins.
He just shrugs, like it’s obvious. “He’s a good kid.”
My smile softens. “He is. I’m glad he has you guys…especially with his dad out of the picture.”
I grab my fringe crossbody and head toward the garage, the cool evening air brushing against my skin as the door climbs upward. The sky is already dimming, the kind of early fall dusk that feels like the night is just waiting to begin.
I make my way toward the white Chevy, when I hear the familiar click of a door unlocking behind me.
I turn.
Collins is leaning against his black truck, one hand resting on the open door, a slow grin spreading across his face like he’s already decided something.
“Come on,” he says, jerking his head toward it. “Let’s take this one tonight.”
We don’t use the new truck much. Not really. But something about the way he’s looking at me, relaxed and a little playful, makes me smile.
“Okay,” I say, not even thinking twice.
I change direction, walking toward him instead, and climb up into the passenger seat.
“Say trick or treat!Did you say thank you?”
Lou’s voice flows down the sidewalk, steady and repetitive.
Billy rolls his eyes, cape swinging dramatically behind him as he marches toward the next house, Crandall right on his heels like a loyal sidekick. “Yes, Mom. I did.”
Up ahead, Campbell has Bea draped over his back, her laughter carrying through the crisp night air as they lead the pack. Collins lingers behind us with Bolt on a leash, trotting happily at his side.
That leaves me and Lou in the middle, our pace slower, more relaxed.
We sip from our incognito cups of wine, the liquid warming me from the inside against the slight bite of evening air.
I breathe it in—the laughter, the movement, the easy chaos of it all—and it hits me just how far this is from where I thought I’d be.
