The Kiss Lottery

Chapter 15 Everly

Chapter 15

Everly

It’s close to midnight, and my house is the meeting place. I pass out bottles of water to everyone. “No drinking alcohol or smoking tonight. We’re doing this straight.”

“Says the girl who got totally wasted a few nights ago,” Troy says as he grins at me. He’s dressed in all black, with a balaclava dangling from his hand. “But, yes, agreed.”

Tabby, dressed in an adorable camo outfit, drains her gin and tonic. She made it when she arrived. “I’ve only had this one.”

Fritz perches on my couch. He’s also in black from head to toe. He leans toward the coffee table. “I talked to Joey Williams, the guy who does custodial work for the courthouse. He says most of the high-end cameras are inside the courtrooms. There are a few outside around the doors, so we’ll have to spray-paint those.” He grabs a can he brought and shakes it, the sound ominous. “I’m calling us the Spirit Savers.”

He stands. “As for getting inside, I have a plan. Rodney bought me a set of lockpicks for Christmas. I’ve been practicing with them.”

I blink. “Why did he buy you that?”

A blush rises up his cheeks. “Um, well, we had some sexy times in bed with some handcuffs, lost the key, and we were kinda stuck together until Tabby came and rescued us. It was just a gag gift.”

A gag gift of lockpicks. Jesus, take the wheel. We are so going to jail.

A sudden knock on the door makes my heart skip a beat. “Who the heck is that?” I ask.

Troy peeks through the window and turns back to us. “Beckett.”

“Should we pretend no one’s home?” Tabby whispers as she scurries around and stuffs some gloves into a duffel. Fritz tosses in the spray paint.

“Pretty sure he saw me,” Troy replies with a wince. “I waved.”

I get excited, knowing he’s here. We’ve been texting these past few days, just catching up on what’s been happening in our lives.

I open the door, trying to act casual in my black joggers and sweatshirt. The night air rushes in, carrying the smell of pine—and him. I inhale deeply.

He drapes his eyes over me, lingering on the black ball cap. He gives me his smile, dimples flashing. “Hi. Thought you’d be in bed already, but I saw the lights on.”

He looks completely at ease in his dark jeans, sweater, and overcoat. His dark hair is messy from the wind. My gaze lands on the green knit scarf around his neck, making my stomach flutter. I made him that scarf. I made at least three before I finally got the hang of knitting.

He follows my gaze. “I still use it. You said it matched my eyes.”

“Oh. What’s going on?”

He steps inside, bringing cold air with him. “I was out walking and saw the cars in the driveway. Thought I’d return this.” He hands me one of my heart-shaped hair clips from the bar.

“It was still in my car.” His eyes capture mine. “Do you remember what you said to me, when you asked me to hold it?”

“Yes.”

“Good. What we talked about meant a lot to me. Don’t lose that hair bow.”

I smile. “Okay, fine. Do you want to come in?”

He nods and enters as he takes in the scene, the fireplace crackling, cups of hot chocolate on the table, and my outlaw friends. His lips twitch at the teddy bear sitting on the couch like he’s part of the group. He’s wearing Beckett’s hat. “Hmm, cute bear. Having a party?”

“We’re gonna watch a movie,” Tabby says hurriedly.

Beckett raises an eyebrow. “Why the black under your eyes?”

“I picked an action movie and was just feeling it. How do I look?” She does a karate stance, and Beckett laughs.

Troy clears his throat. “We’re just chilling. Just hanging. Just relaxing. Just having good, clean, not-breaking-the-law fun.”

Beckett tsks, holding up the black mask Troy dropped. “With a balaclava?”

It all comes pouring out of me. “We’re up to no good. Summer Moon has sent us on a ghost hunt. She told us about a spirit she’s trying to reassure. Her name is Lily Someone, and she died a hundred and fifty years ago.”

Beckett gapes. “That took a turn.”

Fritz explains the entire thing to him.

“Is she here now?” Beckett asks, cool as a cucumber, glancing around the room.

I shake my head.

“Thank the Lord above, she seems to only haunt Summer,” Tabby says.

“Do you recall any Seatons in Rose?” Fritz asks.

Beckett rocks back on his heels, brows drawn in concentration. “The name feels familiar.” He shakes his head.

Just then, Murder prances over to Beckett and winds around his legs. He bends down, scooping her up and cradling her in his arms. She purrs contentedly, her small body vibrating against him.

I love a man who loves a cat. I tear my eyes off them.

“The truth is,” I say, “we’re planning to break into the courthouse to check the basement for old records. We haven’t found anything because it was so long ago.”

Beckett’s concern is immediate. “I’ve seen that basement. It’s a mess. Possibly dangerous. Plus, breaking and entering.”

“But they met at the Kiss Lottery,” Fritz says. “I could even tell their story in the newsletter we send out. People eat that up.”

“I’m definitely going to talk about it in my podcast,” I say.

Beckett shakes his head. “Are you guys drunk?”

“Cold sober,” Fritz replies. “I just love a good story.”

Tabby snorts. “I did have a gin and tonic earlier, but it isn’t sitting well, to be honest.”

Beckett sighs, looking directly at me. “If you’re determined to do this, I’m coming with you. Someone needs to keep you out of trouble.”

“Us too. Keep us out of trouble,” Tabby adds.

I step closer. I’d feel safer with him around. I always did.

He searches my face. “Hey. Did you like your hat?”

I shrug. “Maybe. You keep embarrassing me in the diner. Everyone saw it.”

He smiles. “I wanted them to.”

I feel a blush rising, but then we’re distracted by Fritz clapping.

“Beckett’s on board. Do you know how to pick a lock?”

“No, but I’m a good lookout. What if the police have rounds at the courthouse?” Beckett says.

Tabby shivers. “Cops have guns and pepper spray.”

“I see you’re starting to sober up,” I tell her pointedly.

Fritz looks at each of us. “All right. If things go south, just run and pretend you’re drunk. Agreed?”

I feel a surge of adrenaline.

Beckett takes off his black overcoat and drapes it around my shoulders. “Here, wear this. It’s cold out tonight.”

I slip my arms inside it. Tingles dance over my skin as he buttons it for me.

Tabby watches us with a smirk. “Any day now, you two.”