Page 12 of Love Me

“We should make a decision about the Halloween party,” Creed said, changing the subject.

“It’s not a good idea,” Knox said at the same time I said, “Have it.”

Knox frowned at me, and I could see he was getting ready to argue.

“You have to trust me to know what I can and cannot handle,” I said to him. “I’m so sick of missing out on things. I used to love horror movies. I don’t remember what it’s like to feel the thrill and excitement of being scared for a stupid reason. So much was taken from me, and if I ever want to get any of it back, I have to try. If all I can handle is to stand in the middle of a Halloween party for ten minutes, then at least I gained ten minutes. It’s a small step, but it’s still progress.”

They became quiet as they seemed to process what I had said.

“We’ll keep the decorations tame and Creed or I will stick by her side,” Colt said, siding with me.

I squeezed his hand, smiling.

Keelan looked at Knox. “Want to chaperone a high-school party?”

Knox gave him a look that said that was the last thing he’d want to do.

“And by chaperone, I mean we lock ourselves in one of our rooms and play video games,” Keelan added. “It’d be one less room the horny high-schoolers try to screw in. Plus, we’ll be close if anything happens with Shi.”

I arched a brow at Keelan. “You know you’re dating a high-schooler, right?”

“Nope.” Keelan shook his head, standing. “You’re supposed to be in college.” He pointed at Colt, then Creed. “You’re the one dating the high-schoolers.”

Colt and Creed both rolled their eyes at him as he scooped up his empty plate and took it over to the sink.

I glanced from Keelan to Knox and back to Keelan again. “Does it bother you that I’m still in high school?” The insecure question left my mouth before I could stop it.

Before he made it to the sink, Keelan stopped abruptly and turned around to face me with a blindsided expression. “I was only playing around.”

I looked at Knox. He was staring at me and appeared a little angry.

Was he mad that I’d pointed it out?

Knox is a man. You’re just a girl still in high school.Stephanie’s stupid voice filled my head.

Doing my best not to show what I was feeling, I looked away from him and stood from the table. “Speaking of school, I need to finish getting ready.” I passed Keelan to set my dirty plate in the sink.

I could feel them all watching me.

“We’ll take my car today,” Colt said. There was a hint of irritation in his voice.

I glanced at the table as I headed for the door. Colt held an unreadable expression as he stared at me. Creed and Keelan, though, were glaring at Knox.

“Okay,” I shot over my shoulder. As I went to close the front door behind me, I could have sworn I heard Colt say, “Seriously, Knox?”

3

At lunch,Colt, Creed, and Ethan were planning out the Halloween party. I listened as I ate a Greek pasta salad that had been my mother’s recipe. It was so good that Creed kept stealing bites of it.

As I chewed, I caught Isabelle staring at the chunk of her neon green hair she was playing with. The look she held wasn’t a happy one.

“Over the green?” I asked her as I went to take another bite. Creed grabbed my wrist and pulled the fork to his mouth. I didn’t resist. I still had a bunch left over at home and I loved it when others enjoyed my food.

“A little,” Isabelle said. “The neon won’t look good with the costume I’m making to wear for the Halloween party.”

“Then change it,” I suggested. “Want me to go with you?”

Isabelle nodded. “Do you have a costume picked out?”