The Kiss Lottery

Chapter 16 Everly

Chapter 16

Everly

We’re out on my porch when Beckett says he needs to make a call, promising it won’t take long. I go back inside, pretending to look for something, and hear him murmuring into his cell in the kitchen, but I can only catch muffled words. Who is he calling at this hour?

I open the fridge to grab several water bottles as Beckett finishes his call.

“Who was that?” I ask.

He pauses, then says, “Margo.”

I smile. “All right, let’s go.”

It’s a little past midnight when we pull into a side street across from the courthouse. The only illumination comes from streetlights and the courthouse’s exterior lights.

“It’s brighter than I thought,” I say, slipping out of the car.

“Everyone is at home and in bed,” Beckett murmurs, his breath visible in the cold air. He walks next to me as we join Fritz, Troy, and Tabby, who are already huddled in the shadows.

“Gloves on,” Troy whispers, handing out latex ones. They snap loudly in the quiet night, making us all wince.

“I need one more gin and tonic,” Tabby says as she pulls out a flask and takes a sip.

I poke her. “Stay sober.”

“Nope,” she replies. “I’m scared.”

Beckett scans the building, his eyes narrowing as he studies the layout.

We dart across the street, staying low and sticking to the shadows. The crunch of gravel sounds loud as we approach the back of the courthouse. Technically, it’s the back, but since it’s in the middle of the square, it’s still visible from the road.

“Move together like we’re on a stroll. Don’t look suspicious,” Beckett says.

“I think the all-black attire is very sus if someone sees us on camera,” I whisper back.

He grins, way more relaxed than he should be. “Me, Carson, and some guys once snuck into the school after hours our senior year.”

“Looking for exams?” I ask.

“For fun,” he says, glancing up at the walls. “Look at the cameras. They aren’t blinking. They’re out.”

“Aw, I guess this means no spray paint,” Troy grouses.

“Here we go,” Fritz mutters, crouching by the back door. He pulls out his lockpick kit, then puts his hand on the door to steady himself, and it creaks open.

We jump back.

“Yikes,” Tabby hisses. “Baby Jesus, save us. Is Lily here to help? Go away, Lily.” She tugs her crucifix out of her shirt and flashes it around.

“I think we just got lucky,” Beckett says, checking the door. “This one is rarely used.”

“Lucky? It’s the courthouse. There are courtrooms, fancy furniture, documents, and computers. Surely, they lock the back door at night,” I say.

“It’s fate. Let’s go,” Fritz whispers, stepping aside to let us through.

We slip inside, the courthouse air cool and stale. Beckett leads, his flashlight cutting through the darkness as we make our way down the dim corridor.

“Everyone stick close,” he says, tugging me closer. Tabby and Troy are behind us, with Fritz bringing up the rear. “The basement door is on the north side.”

I glance at him. That razor-sharp jawline. Those full lips. “Does this count as our date?” I ask.

“Do you want it to?”

I shrug. “You spending the night on my couch could also count.”

“True. I had fun. You?”

I just smile at him. “You called me a fairy. I wish I had video of you pretending to be a lumberjack.” I pause. “Wait a minute. I think I did take a video. Let me check.”

He groans. “Shit.”

I chuckle.

The air around us is musty. Unlike the polished upper floors, this level is plain, with dull-gray walls. Exposed pipes run along the ceiling, some wrapped in worn insulation.

To my left, there’s a small break room with a table and chairs. A vending machine hums in the corner. Across from it is a janitor’s closet.

We pass a few storage rooms secured with rusty padlocks. One is labeled “Electrical,” with the hum of machinery audible behind it.

My pulse quickens with each step.

Finally we reach a metal door marked “Basement.” Beckett pushes it open with a creak, showing narrow stairs leading down.