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  “And you’re saying it would if I stay here?”

  “We can’t guarantee your safety,” Daisy said.

  “What you did was stupid,” Tabitha said.

  “No, but I also know someone in class has it in for the Dogs. Don’t you see it? The school is divided. I was just curious to see which way it would fall.”

  “Don’t fuck with my sister and get out,” Miles said.

  Luke smirked. “Until next time, Tabby.”

  She went to defend her name but Daisy was there, holding her back.

  Luke left the bathroom and now Tabitha turned to her friends.

  “What the hell?” she asked.

  “Don’t talk to us like that,” Miles said. “Do you have any idea what he could have done to you? How hurt you could have been? Next time, you don’t go with him willingly.”

  She laughed. “You think I went with him willingly?”

  “He’s strong,” Anthony said.

  “I had it handled.”

  “Did you?” Daisy asked. “From where I was standing, it looked like he was the one in control. You, you were waiting for him to strike.”

  Tabitha shrugged. “You can believe me or not, I don’t care. I’m telling you I had it handled. There was no way he was going to get past me.”

  “Why does he want to know about the school?” Rachel asked, coming further into the room.

  “We better head back to class,” Tabitha said.

  “We need to meet up about this,” Miles said, looking toward Anthony.

  “Agreed,” Daisy said.

  “No!” Tabitha sliced her hand through the air. She’d heard enough. “Have you ever thought this is exactly what he wanted? Luke … he’s not like Ryan. If this was fuckface, I’d say we’ve got to worry about his deal, but he’s not. He’s different. We all know this. No, I think this is him fucking with us. Trying to distract us. We don’t bite. That’s what we do.”

  “You’re sure?” Daisy asked. “You seem to know Luke better than anyone.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. Wow, you’re the one who has told us you keep an eye on shit like this. No need to be a bitch.” Daisy shook her head and stormed out of the bathroom.

  Tabitha winced. She had told the crew that, and now, fuck, she’d been mean.

  “I’ll let you deal with that problem.”

  One by one, her friends left until there was only her and Anthony.

  “I didn’t mean to bite her head off.”

  Silence.

  She tapped her foot, impatient. “For fuck’s sake, Anthony, tell me what you’ve got to say and then we can move on.”

  “You’ve got to learn to be careful,” he said. “I don’t trust the Dogs. We know their club is wrapped up in illegal shit. When we’re old enough, the club will be ours, unless you’ve made your decision about moving to Chaos Bleeds.”

  “The club will be yours, Anthony. I’m not going to be your old lady.”

  He wrinkled his nose.

  “Nice to know what you think of me.”

  “Be careful and make it right with Daisy.” He stepped out of the bathroom.

  Alone, she wrapped her arms around herself, wincing. Being thrown against a wall had hurt. She’d have a few bruises.

  Leaning against the same wall, she tilted her head back and stared up at the ceiling. The Skulls, the club, this wasn’t supposed to be so complicated.

  “Fuck it, it’s too soon to make any kind of decision right now.”

  Out of habit, she washed her hands, dried them, and headed back to English. Luke was still there and the teacher paused as Tabitha entered.

  She kept her head held high and made her way to her window seat, right next to Luke.

  Sitting down, she waited.

  The teacher continued to teach the class.

  A piece of paper was slid across to her.

  She ignored it.

  Luke pressed a finger on top.

  Picking it up, she opened to find his note.

  Are you okay? I didn’t mean to hurt you.

  There was no way she was going to justify an answer. Closing the note, she slid it right back to him.

  Watching the teacher, she couldn’t hear what he was saying. Holding her pencil, she copied everything off the board and she’d have to go over everything with Darcy, who was no longer in school because she was happily married to Ink and was still in recovery. She was another friend she wished was still in school.

  She stifled a yawn but the note was slid right back to her.

  Don’t ignore me. It’s rude.

  Was this guy for real?

  She didn’t respond.

  Again, he scribbled.

  If you don’t respond, I’ll make another scene.

  She responded.

  Make a scene. I don’t care.

  Are you okay?

  This is pathetic. I’m not talking to you.

  I didn’t mean to hurt you.

  It takes a lot more than being thrown into a wall to hurt me.

  I’m sorry.

  You’re sounding like a pussy now. I’m bored.

  She slid the note over for him to read. Before he could respond, she snatched it back and tore it up. There, done.

  The bell rang, and Tabitha was more than happy to get the hell out of there. She met up with Daisy and they hugged. Her best friend couldn’t stay mad at her for too long, which she was thankful for. So long as she had Daisy, she’d be fine. Her best friend meant the world to her.

  ****

  Eva, her mother, had gone all out in the Halloween decorations this year. Standing at the front gate, she laughed at the gravestones and the coffins with arms peeking out.

  “You think this is too much?”

  “Not at all. In fact, you better have a whole lot of candy ready. I just know we’re going to get a lot of visitors.”

  “It was Angel’s idea. Each of The Skulls with a yard have decorated the whole house.”

  She wasn’t surprised about it being Angel. Being the club president’s old lady, she’d brought it on herself to start working toward a better image to all of the people of Fort Wills. Angel worked so hard. She offered charity runs throughout town, helped with fairs, created food competitions, and anything with a fun edge, she was there.

  For the most part, it worked.

  “Look at you,” Eva said, holding her arms out.

  “Mom, don’t.” She stepped into her mom’s arms, accepting her kiss to the cheek.

  “You look stunning.”

  She’d gotten a costume of an eighteenth-century woman, complete with a corset. To help turn it into a Halloween costume, Daisy had helped her to tear the fabric, adding on some fake blood, and of course, there was more risqué with her boobs pressed tight and up.

  She looked good.

  She knew she did.

  “It’s a good thing Simon’s busy. Dad wouldn’t let you out because he’d know all the kinds of naughty you’d get into.”

  “Oh, enough with you, Tate,” Eva said.

  Tate, her older sister, laughed.

  “What do you think?”

  “You know I think you look beautiful, and you do.” Tate came toward her, hugging her tightly.

  Once again, Tate was heavily pregnant. There were so many babies being born, it was hard to keep up with all the latest developments.

  “Is Daisy ever going to come down?”

  Just then, Daisy, complete in a nurse’s uniform and long white socks, came downstairs.

  Tabitha knew she was going to have to talk with Lash or Anthony about Daisy. When they’d been changing, she’d caught sight of Daisy’s back and had seen a couple of bruises. One of which looked like it came from a foot, which said it had to be her biological dad. There was no way Whizz would do something like that, and no one at school would even dare touch her. They would have known if anything happened to her.

  With the nurse’s uniform, there were slashes across
her arm, her face was heavily made up, and her long brown hair had been curled. Anthony was going to lose it.

  “Wow, I mean, wow,” Tate said.

  Daisy stood, wrapping an arm around her middle, where more exposed flesh with claw marks lay.

  “This is stupid. We’re sixteen. Do we need to dress up?”

  “We’re going to be,” Eva said. “I’m manning the door here until nine, and then at the clubhouse, there’s going to be one hell of a party. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

  Daisy raised her brow, looking toward Tabitha.

  “Do not think we won’t be back to check on your guys. We will. If you’re not home when we get back, your asses will be on the line.”

  Tate rolled her eyes and laughed. “Keep an eye on Simon for me, will you? Ugh, I’m sounding like a mom myself.”

  Tabitha laughed. “I will, and I hate to break it to you, you are a mom.”

  “I know but I remember when I was cool. When I didn’t ask for my son to make me a grandma before my time.” Tate shook her head. “Get out. Get out before I have a meltdown.”

  Tabitha grabbed two jackets as she laughed, but stopped, looking back at her mom.

  “Mom, do you have any pictures of Lexie pregnant?”

  “Of course.”

  “Do you have any where she was pregnant with Simon?”

  Eva seemed to freeze. Even Tate coughed on her drink.

  “Honey, why do you ask?”

  “Simon and I were talking. It’s nothing. I’m just curious.”

  “Lexie and I didn’t know each other well enough when she had Simon.”

  She nodded.

  “Have a good night.”

  She and Daisy left the house, heading down the yard, where ghoul and ghost sounds came from the trigger sensor.

  “That was odd,” Daisy said.

  “What?”

  “She referred to Simon as having him, not being pregnant with him.”

  “Why is that odd?”

  “I don’t know. Don’t you think they acted weirdly?”

  “I do. It was strange, wasn’t it?”

  “Why do you think they’re behaving that way? Do you think Simon is adopted?” Daisy asked.

  “Nah, he looks exactly like Devil. Remember?”

  “True.”

  “Lexie can also have a lot of kids. We know, we’ve taken care of half of her population.”

  Daisy laughed. “What is with all the secrecy though?”

  “Not a clue, but it makes me want to find out.”

  “Do you think I should try some hacking?” Daisy asked.

  “Well, well, well, you’re in a good mood. It’s about time.”

  “Don’t spoil it for me, then. Yes, I’m in a good mood. I am happy.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t like my costume but rather than be pissed about it, I’m going to embrace it.”

  “Will you be dancing tonight?” Tabitha asked.

  “If you ask.”

  “And what if Anthony asks?”

  “Don’t. We’re friends. That’s all this will ever be.”

  “But if you and Anthony get together, that would put you in Angel’s position.”

  “Tabitha, that is going to be your place. You’re the queen here. If Tiny had still been the president of the club, Miles would probably be the first one in line.”

  “Don’t forget they have to prove themselves, and my brother isn’t like Anthony. He’s too hot-headed.”

  “You and Miles are certainly hot and cold. Did you see the way he looked at Constance?”

  “So you can see it in other guys looking at other girls, but not when they’re looking at you?”

  “Don’t start. Anthony and I are friends. We’re not going to be anything else. Stop pushing it.”

  Tabitha linked arms with her friend. “I will stop for tonight, but one day, you’re going to see just how right I am.”

  “Until then, let’s just have a lot of fun.”

  “You’re talking about fun. What have you done with my best friend?” Tabitha giggled, resting her head on her shoulder.

  “I’ve decided it’s Halloween and I’m going to be taking a personal day off. I’m not going to think. I’m just going to be like every other sixteen-year-old who has finally gotten off grounding.”

  “You’re going to drink way too much and make sure our parents wished they never let us out of the house.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  They both laughed and giggled together. “I love this.”

  “Me too,” Daisy said with a sigh.

  They got to the edge of the road and they didn’t need to go far as Anthony arrived, complete with the crew. Miles, Simon, and even Michael were all in the back of the truck.

  “You’re driving tonight?” Tabitha asked.

  Anthony was dressed as a doctor zombie. Her brother looked like a pirate, and Michael just looked the same. She couldn’t see Rachel’s outfit or Markus.

  “Get in, sis, come on. Don’t leave us standing around. We’ve got chicks to go find.”

  Rolling her eyes, she opened the door. “Doctor’s first,” she said, helping Daisy up into the truck. Her best friend looked like she wanted to say something else. “Fun, remember?”

  Daisy climbed up, taking the seat right next to Anthony. She followed inside, closing the door.

  “Did you bring any booze?” Tabitha asked.

  Miles stuck his head through the window. “Please, we know what our parents are like. Hypocrites to the end. We snuck it into the school.”

  Tabitha chuckled.

  “Who’s driving tonight?” Daisy asked.

  “Don’t worry about a thing. We’ve all got a plan.” Miles patted her arm as if that was in any way offering comfort.

  “He knows that freaks me out, right?”

  “It’s my brother. Don’t expect anything he does to make any kind of sense.”

  They were all laughing, apart from Anthony, who was focused on driving or not irritating Daisy. She didn’t exactly know what. Her cell phone was concealed in one of the secret pockets she was told about. She missed Simon. Most of the Halloweens, he was around to keep her company and she found today was hard for her. She wanted to be with him. Tapping her fingers on the doorframe, she tried to look forward to the party.

  It was hard.

  “Tonight is going to be kickass!” Miles screamed from the top of his lungs as if the whole world was supposed to hear him.

  “Has he already been drinking?” Daisy asked.

  Anthony nodded.

  “It’s going to be one hell of a night,” Tabitha said.

  Arriving at the high school twenty minutes later, Anthony parked the car on the edge of the lot, giving them plenty of room to make an escape if needed.

  Climbing out of the car, Daisy needed a little help as the skirt was so short and she didn’t want to show off her panties to the rest of the world. “You had to pick the most risqué and daring skirt around,” Tabitha said.

  Daisy chuckled. “You helped me to pick.”

  Screams, laughter, and music all came from the school.

  Staring up at the imposing building, Tabitha experienced the yearning deep in her heart for Simon. She always tried to ignore it because usually the fear of having to deal with questions, to have answers, to know what she wanted, was tough. To have Simon, she was going to have to make a choice.

  “It’s going to be crazy,” Miles said, taking the lead as they headed into the school. There were already couples making out on the hoods of their cars.

  Daisy put a hand through hers. “I hate this.”

  “Fun, remember?”

  “Yeah, well, I don’t like scary things.”

  “I thought you loved Halloween.”

  “I do. Movie marathons, silly candy, and names for food. I like the kiddy stuff.”

  “This is going to be fun.”

  They entered the school and a life-sized zombie doll dropped down from the doorway, causing Daisy t
o scream.

  “I’m going to need a drink.”

  Kids were walking through the halls as there was supposed to be a haunted theme.

  “There’s a dance with food and drinks at the main hall,” Tabitha said. “I’m going to head to the bathroom. I’ll join you?”

  “Sure.” Daisy kissed her cheek and took off. Her friend knew what she wanted to do.

  Anthony was already following after her. Her brother and the others were gone to enjoy their own stuff.

  Taking a deep breath, she felt off about the whole thing, not connected.

  She watched her friends, hoping Daisy finally realized Anthony’s feelings for her and didn’t dismiss them.

  Still, it was a hard one.

  She turned and headed toward one of the bathrooms. It was empty, and she went straight to the sinks, turning on the water and splashing her neck rather than her face.

  Looking up, she stared at her reflection. She looked sad.

  Stepping away, she made her way into one of the stalls and pulled out her cell phone. Picking the video option, she pulled up Simon’s number. There was a chance he wouldn’t answer. He did warn her how involved he planned to be with Halloween. She wished she’d offered to go and see him, but with the grounding, there was no way that was going to happen. She was lucky to be going out at all, and she knew if it hadn’t been for Anthony, she’d still be grounded and enjoying a night like the one Daisy wanted.

  “Hey, babe,” Simon said, accepting her call.

  He wasn’t in his home and she saw past his shoulders, the streets of Piston County where he lived. His home was in a nice neighborhood. She’d visited him a couple of times. More often than not, Chaos Bleeds came to Fort Wills rather than the other way around.

  “Hey,” she said, hating how alone she felt.

  “What’s up?” Simon’s smile was instantly replaced with concern.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t say that to me. I know you.”

  She took a breath. “You know me so well.”

  “Always. Talk to me.”

  “It’s nothing. Honestly, I don’t get it.” She ran fingers through her hair. “I don’t know. It’s Halloween and I think it has been so long since you’ve been here.”

  “I’m missing you too. Where are you?”

  “The school bathroom. The others have gone, fingers crossed, dancing and having fun.”