CHAPTER 45 johnnie NOW
johnnie
NOW
“I can’t believe you’re making me wear this.”
Collins tugs the Billy Butcherson shirt down over his head, the one I picked out to match my Winifred Sanderson tee.
I grin, completely unbothered. “We look cute as shit. Don’t even try to deny it. Besides, if Crandall can wear green tights to be Robin, you’re getting off easy.”
I pat his cheek as I pass, grabbing my Vans and slipping them on.
We’re going trick-or-treating with our little crew tonight—Lou and Billy, Crandall, Campbell, and Bea. The thought alone has something warm and giddy bubbling in me.
“You know my brother has it bad when he’s out there in tights,” Collins mutters, shaking his head. “Balls swinging for the whole neighborhood to see just to make his little Batman happy.”
I laugh, picturing it all too clearly.
Everyone’s meeting at Lou’s so we can take on the entire trailer park together.
I freaking love Halloween.
There’s something about it that makes me feel like a kid again.
“Billy’s got all of you wrapped around his finger,” I say, glancing back at Collins.
He just shrugs, like it’s obvious. “He’s a good kid.”
My smile softens. “He is. I’m glad he has you guys…especially with his dad out of the picture.”
I grab my fringe crossbody and head toward the garage, the cool evening air brushing against my skin as the door climbs upward. The sky is already dimming, the kind of early fall dusk that feels like the night is just waiting to begin.
I make my way toward the white Chevy, when I hear the familiar click of a door unlocking behind me.
I turn.
Collins is leaning against his black truck, one hand resting on the open door, a slow grin spreading across his face like he’s already decided something.
“Come on,” he says, jerking his head toward it. “Let’s take this one tonight.”
We don’t use the new truck much. Not really. But something about the way he’s looking at me, relaxed and a little playful, makes me smile.
“Okay,” I say, not even thinking twice.
I change direction, walking toward him instead, and climb up into the passenger seat.
“Say trick or treat! Did you say thank you?”
Lou’s voice flows down the sidewalk, steady and repetitive.
Billy rolls his eyes, cape swinging dramatically behind him as he marches toward the next house, Crandall right on his heels like a loyal sidekick. “Yes, Mom. I did.”
Up ahead, Campbell has Bea draped over his back, her laughter carrying through the crisp night air as they lead the pack. Collins lingers behind us with Bolt on a leash, trotting happily at his side.
That leaves me and Lou in the middle, our pace slower, more relaxed.
We sip from our incognito cups of wine, the liquid warming me from the inside against the slight bite of evening air.
I breathe it in—the laughter, the movement, the easy chaos of it all—and it hits me just how far this is from where I thought I’d be.
Back in Laken.
With Collins.
Surrounded by people who somehow feel like they’ve always belonged to me—old connections, new ones—all tangled together into something solid. Bea hasn’t shown a single sign of heading back to New York, and the way she and Campbell orbit each other…
There’s something there. Something growing, rekindling.
I don’t question it. Don’t overthink it.
I’m just…happy.
Happy we’re all here. Together.
But even in the middle of the laughter and the warmth, there’s an ache that still lingers.
Nan.
My gaze drifts, almost without meaning to, toward the spot the trailer used to sit. Reduced to nothing but a pile of dirt.
Gone.
The new owners took possession right after that last night Collins and I spent there. They eventually took it away, moved it somewhere new, I guess.
And something about that twists in my stomach.
We stroll around for the next hour or so.
My wine is empty, Billy’s bag is full, and by the time we circle back to Lou’s porch the Combs boys seem like they’re up to something, whispering and huddling together every now and then.
We barrel through the front door, a rush of air and laughter following us in. Billy scrambles onto a barstool, dumping his haul of candy onto the counter in a colorful cascade.
“Easy there, killer,” Lou says, amused. “We’re ordering pizza. After you eat, you can pick a couple treats.”
I huff a laugh just as Billy sneaks a Snickers bar the second her back is turned. He glances over his shoulder, catching me watching, and offers a shy, guilty smile. Bea slides in next to him, looking over the options.
“Can I have something, bud?” He picks up a piece handing it to her and they both try to discreetly take bites without Lou seeing, drawing a chuckle from me.
“Hey, Mom, can Johnnie and Bea stay and eat pizza with us?” he asks, eyes bright with hope. “We’re gonna watch Hocus Pocus, and Johnnie said that’s her favorite!”
An invitation for pizza and Hocus Pocus? A man after my own heart.
I glance at Collins, scrambling for an excuse. Even though I would love to stay, all I really want is to drag him home and have him to myself for the rest of the night.
He looks between me and Billy, then shrugs. “That might be a good idea, John. The guys and I have a few things we need to get ready for tomorrow. How about we go take care of that, and I’ll come back for you after? We’ll head home then.” He grabs his wallet, throwing down some cash on the counter.
“Here, Lou, order plenty.”
Dammit.
A Hocus Pocus movie night with Lou and Billy sounds perfect, it does, but I’d been looking forward to having Collins all to myself.
Guess it can wait a little longer.
“Oh—okay,” I say, forcing brightness into my voice.
He crosses the room toward me, that slow, knowing grin playing on his lips. He presses a quick kiss to my mouth before leaning in, voice low. “We won’t be long.”
I give him a reluctant smile and sink onto the couch. Not without noticing the slap to the ass Campbell gives Bea before they walk out the door.
Bea sits on the opposite side, and Bolt immediately takes it as an invitation, hopping up between us and sprawling across the remaining space like he owns it. He’s gotten so big since I got here, far too big for a trailer this size. But his sweet, easy nature makes up for it.
“All right, movie time. Pizza’s on the way!” Lou drops to the floor in front of me instead of bothering to move Bolt, tugging a blanket over her legs and grabbing the remote. “Come on, Billy. Quit pretending like you’re not eating your candy.”
Billy laughs, hopping down and launching himself into her arms, his cape fluttering behind him.
The room settles, warm and soft, as the opening music begins to play. And just like that, I sink into it, into them.
I love it here.