Then
The Prescott family mansion is decked out in skeletons, jack-o’-lanterns, and fake spider-webs.
If there’s one thing I know about this family, they know how to throw a party. They have parties for every holiday.
Fourth of July.
Halloween.
Christmas.
New Year’s Eve.
I can’t imagine how much money they spend on them, but it’s not a big deal for them. They seem to invite the entire neighborhood for every party. I honestly don’t think they could tell me who anybody is.
It’s weird having a friend like Blake.
Anything he asked for as a kid, he got. His mom spoiled the crap out of him then, and she does the same for him now.
I grew up on the opposite side of the tracks, Breakwater to be exact. It’s a community of manufactured homes in Sunset Cove.
My childhood wasn’t filled with toys and lavish birthday parties. I didn’t grow up in a mansion.
I’m closer to Noah’s dad than my own.
Noah is one of my best friends. We’ve known each other since we were kids. His dad is one of the best people I’ve ever known.
I’ve never seen my dad without a drink in his hand and anger laced throughout his tone. I remember the first time he hurt my mom.
I was nine years old. I was in my bedroom, and the sound of glass shattering on the tile floor pierced my eardrums. I can still hear the faint sound of Mom’s screams when I sleep at night.
Peeking my head out of my bedroom, I see Dad following Mom around in the living room.
“Stop following me,” Mom says to him.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me.” His tone is stern and controlled.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
“Come here!” He aggressively grabs her by her wrist, spinning her around to face him. Without any hesitation, he hits her in the face. The impact causes a bruise to appear on her cheek almost immediately.
I want to help her, but fear is written all over her face. I’m terrified he could see me.
More importantly, I’m scared that he could hurt me.
The first time Dad hurt me was when I was eleven years old.
He liked to think it helped shape me more into a man, but he couldn’t have been more wrong. If I was an inch out of line, he’d teach me a lesson. There wasn’t a day where I would go to school as a kid and not be covered in bruises.
Mom did her best to protect me, and I did my best to protect her. She’s my best friend, and I wouldn’t be here today if we didn’t leave that damn house.
I did visit our trailer several months back, and I asked around about Dad. The neighbors told me he left and moved to California.
Why couldn’t he have left when we were still in that hellhole?
My nonexistent childhood taught me to be grateful for what I have.
My mom.
My friends.
And Violet.
Speaking of Violet, it’s interesting to me how much she despises living in this place. I’d never want to leave if I lived here. Lighthouse Estates is the neighborhood every kid desperately wanted to live in.
I know how miserable she is here because she tells me all the time. I wish I could run away with her, but that could only happen if we lived in an alternate universe.
Georgia opens her mouth. “The party starts in precisely thirty minutes. Blake and Violet, go get dressed. You too, Grayson.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say without making eye contact with her.
Violet flips her mother off as she gets out of the car, making me chuckle.
“You’re such a brat.” Blake’s eye twitches to express his annoyance.
“And you’re an asshole.”
I cover my mouth, so Blake doesn’t see me laughing.
Georgia gets out of the car, walking up to her daughter. “Violet Rose Prescott, watch your language.”
I send Violet a text because apparently I can’t help myself.
Me
You know, that mouth of yours is going to get you into a lot of trouble one day
Violet
Pretty bold of you to text that to me
Me
I’d love to say it to your face
Violet
Then do it. I dare you
Me
I have to change into my costume first
Violet
Fine. Stop by my room afterwards, and you can tell me all about how my mouth is going to get me into trouble
Me
You’ve got a deal, Angel
“Who the hell is making you smile like that?” Blake asks Violet.
“None of your business!” She walks into the house.
I follow suit, trailing behind them and Georgia.
It looks like the Spirit Halloween store threw up on every square inch of their massive home.
Georgia disappears to the back patio, leaving us behind.
Blake and I head upstairs until Violet runs past us and crashes into her brother.
“Watch where you’re going,” he says to her.
“Maybe if you weren’t in my way, we wouldn’t be having a problem right now.” Violet crosses her arms, standing tall and proud.
“Are you on your period or something?”
“No, jackass. I’m not in the mood to deal with your bullshit tonight. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t be going to this party, but I never have a choice. Give me my space, and I’ll happily give you yours. Now get out of my way.”
Why was that so hot?
I look down at the stairs, briefly meeting Violet’s gaze when I lift my head back up. Licking my lips, I bring my fist up and place it in front of my mouth in a horizontal position.
Violet waves her middle finger in front of Blake’s face. Before he can say anything smart to her, she runs up the stairs and vanishes into her room.
Blake notices I’m staring off into the distance. “You coming, bro?”
I blink rapidly to bring myself back to reality. “Huh?”
“We need to put on our costumes, remember?”
“Right. I’ll be there in a second.”
Blake nods, heading into his bedroom and slamming the door shut.
Walking over to Violet’s bedroom door, I softly knock on it.
She opens the door and leans against the doorframe, planting a hand on her hip. “I thought you weren’t going to come to my door until you were dressed in your costume.”
“Well, I decided that now is better than later.”
She slowly nods. “Ah, I see.”
“What was all of that back there?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She folds her arms, tapping her fingers on her bicep.
“That’s funny. You don’t recall going off on your brother a few minutes ago?”
“No, I’m sorry. I don’t.”
I inhale her scent because she smells like vanilla orchid, grapefruit, and pink peppercorn.
I wonder if she tastes like that, too.
“You’re a pain in my ass, Prescott.”
“It wouldn’t be fair if you weren’t a pain in my ass, too.”
I chuckle. “Alright, well, I better let you get changed.”
“Yeah, that would be a good idea.” Violet’s eyes flutter as she smiles at me, strutting into her room.
I wink at her before she closes the door.
My willpower is impeccable these days. I wanted to kiss her so much, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself if I succeeded.
I head into one of their guest rooms and plop onto the bed, scrolling on my phone.
Fifteen minutes later, Blake comes out of his room. “Alright bro, I’m ready.”
I can’t help myself from bursting out into laughter.
A frown appears on his face. “What’s so funny?”
“I can’t believe your parents let you wear shit like this.”
“It’s Halloween, you idiot.”
He has a gelled curl sitting perfectly on top of his forehead, and he’s dressed in blue tights.
This is too funny.
I suck my lips in. “I can’t take you seriously when you’re dressed like this.”
“Whatever. I’m going downstairs to see if anybody has shown up yet. I can’t wait to make fun of you when you’re in your costume.”
“It’ll be better than your costume, that’s for sure.”
“Don’t you ever disrespect the big S,” Blake says as he walks away from me and goes downstairs.
When I enter Blake’s bedroom, I throw my backpack onto his bed and unzip the main compartment. Pulling out my Halloween costume, I walk into the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror.
This is pathetic.
It takes me around thirty minutes to get my costume on. I’m surprised I didn’t have any issues because this thing is so tight. I thought I was going to struggle with zipping it up, but I didn’t.
I take a good look at myself in Blake’s floor-length mirror, regretting my decision to come here tonight. I should’ve hung out with Noah instead. He’s probably with our other best friend, Xander. I bet whatever they’re doing right now is better than being here.
Moving my backpack against his dresser, I race downstairs. I make my way to the Prescott’s massive patio area. I’m looking around for Blake, and he’s nowhere to be seen.
A hand slaps down on my shoulder, and I jump. I turn around and see my best friends standing in front of me.
Damn, they just made a liar out of me.
“What the hell are you guys doing here?”
Xander looks at me. “We wanted to see what all the fuss is about with the Prescott family Halloween parties.”
Noah smacks his lips together. “He’s not wrong. We were bored out of our minds at my house. Lizzie and Dani keep watching the same movies on repeat. We needed to get out of there.”
“No, you were the one who needed to get out of there,” Xander corrects Noah.
“Whatever. What matters is that we’re all here together.” Noah wraps his arms around Xander and I. “Where’s your best friend, huh?” He asks with sarcasm loaded throughout his tone.
“Blake is my friend. You guys are my best friends. Also, I have no clue where he is.”
As I scan what feels like hundreds of people surrounding us, my eyes land on Violet.
This girl woke up and chose violence today.
She’s dressed in all black with knee-high leather boots and skin-tight leather shorts. Her shirt has three cut-outs on both sleeves, showing off her smooth skin. There are cuts in the fabric right above and below her stomach.
“Dude, I think you have some drool right there.” Xander points to the corner of my mouth.
I take my thumb and swipe it over the area, but nothing appears on my finger. “You’re screwing with me, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am.”
I flip Xander off.
Noah stares at me and raises an eyebrow. “So, when are you going to tell Violet that you’re in love with her?”
“When are you going to tell Dani that you’re in love with her?” A dorky smile appears on my face as I wiggle my eyebrows back at him.
“I’m not in love with her. Stop bringing it up.” He grunts, rolling his eyes. “Seriously, are you going to tell Violet or not?”