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Therapy is going well. I’m dealing with the loss of my memories and have some action plans in case I get triggered by something. Which happens less frequently now. Our football team is dominating as usual, and in a few hours, we’re heading to a Halloween party.

Mom’s back on first or second shifts. No more night shifts. Everything feels normal. Though the Feds and the DEA are still in town, so everyone is on their best behavior. So maybe better than normal.

Honestly, I could get used to this.

The party tonight isn’t really a costume party. Though Jack says some people will show up in costume. I’m wearing one of my swing dresses with my boots and my hair up in a ponytail.

“Ava wants me to help with our parents.” Caden looks at his phone and shakes his head. “There’s no way I’m going to dinner. They’re here to check on her. They can check on her. I’m good.”

He toys with the hem of my skirt, lifting his hooded gaze to mine. I get wet thinking of what we did when I wore a similar outfit to a party. Luke, Caden, and I up in the bedroom. I squeeze my thighs together.

“Thinking dirty thoughts, kitten?”

My gaze collides with Eli as a girl screams on the screen. I’ve completely lost track of the plot of the movie we’re watching. Honestly, I’d rather find a place where all of us can be together without interruption.

Things have gotten tricky since we moved home from staying at Jack’s. Things were tricky at Jack’s as well. Now, we have to act like somewhat normal teenagers. Jack, Eli, Caden, and Nico have had to stay at their houses with their parents more. Luke stays here with me. But because he respects my mother, he stays in the guest bedroom. Most nights.

We even spent a weekend decorating the guest room for him. His father surprised him with a trust fund for college and an allowance to help with his expenses for the rest of high school. The strange thing is, he hasn’t asked Luke anything about me or my father again.

We keep waiting for him to ask for something in return, but William has been quiet since Penny moved in with him. Maybe Bruce spoke to him since we backed off figuring out what happened to my dad.

I’ve now had dinner with everyone’s family at least once. Nico’s dad is still intimidating as hell, but he wasn’t fishing for information when I had dinner with him, Sarah, and Nico.

Caden’s parents were mostly silent. Bruce is as large as Caden and just as intimidating. He never smiled once during our dinner. Emily’s smile was tight. Ava basically kept the conversation going.

Even school has been quiet. If there was anyone else on team Zach and Tanner, they’ve disappeared into the woodwork. There haven’t been any more tire slashings or weird feelings of being watched.

Sidney is still at rehab, which hopefully helps her. I definitely don’t miss her.

With the threats gone, I’ve been able to hang out with Kenz, Penny, Izzy, Nat, and even Vicky sometimes. We’ve gotten coffee without having a motive and even finally had a movie night.

Mom comes into the kitchen doorway and glances at the couch with all of us piled on it and Eli in the armchair.

“All right. Go to your party.” Mom comes into the room and waves at us to shoo. “I can take over candy distribution.”

Caden turns off the TV, stands, and helps me to my feet. He keeps my hand in his as he leads me into the kitchen.

“We’re staying at my place tonight,” Caden says.

Mom raises an eyebrow. “Just be safe.”

“We will.” Luke grabs his letterman jacket and throws it over my shoulders before anyone else can get theirs on me.

I slip my arms in it and press my nose into the fabric to smell his sultry scent surrounding me.

“She does own her own jackets.” Mom rolls her eyes.

“We like her in ours.” Jack winks at me.

Mom doesn’t protest further, but she does give me a look. “Breakfast with zombies tomorrow morning. Ten sharp. Don’t be late.”

Tomorrow is Sunday. With the party and the after party, I’m skeptical we’ll be awake by then.

“We won’t be late.” Nico grabs a candy from the bowl and unwraps it.

She shakes her head. “I need a second job to feed all of you.”

Caden says, “If you need money⁠—”