Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Star
Four o’clock felt way too early to be sweating this much.
I stood in front of Cole’s mirror, arms awkwardly lifted while he tried to help me step into the pink dinosaur costume without tearing it or suffocating me.
“This is,” he said slowly, circling me like he was inspecting a crime scene, “the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen.”
I grinned. “Liar. Your aunt is Alice.”
He snorted and tugged at the elastic around my waist. “I’m serious. You look like you’re being attacked by a cartoon.”
I shifted, then wiggled, and finally managed to get the inflatable settled so it looked like I was riding the dinosaur instead of being eaten by it.
I turned in a slow circle, presenting myself. “Am I not the sexiest dino rider you’ve ever seen?” I laughed.
Cole dragged a hand down his face. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… yes. Yes, you are not.”
I gasped dramatically. “You flatter me.”
He stepped forward and tried to pull me into his arms, but the costume bumped awkwardly between us.
He frowned. “I’m not going to be able to kiss you all night.”
I reached out and patted his cheek. “I guess you’ll just have to wait, then.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.”
He lunged at me.
I shrieked and jumped away, barely missing his grasp, and yanked the door open just in time to escape. The second I hit the hallway, I galloped—actually galloped—down the corridor, laughing so hard I could barely breathe.
Cole chased after me, boots pounding behind me.
“Star!” he barked. “You’re going to hurt yourself!”
I skidded into the common room, nearly wiping out.
“Whoa!” Alice called. “Runaway dino!”
Alice stood near the couch in a blow-up Highland cow costume, arms out like she was ready to wrangle me. Next to her, Nikki was standing completely still in a black-and-white cow costume, but hers wasn’t inflated.
She frowned down at the silent pump in her hand. “Do you know how loud it’s going to be in here with fourteen of us wearing these?”
“It’ll be fine,” Alice said. “Just have another shot.”
Carnie waddled out of the kitchen, wearing a full T. rex costume, tail dragging behind her. She spun in a circle and wiggled it. “Freak really likes the tail,” she announced.
Alice catcalled. “I can see why. Shake it!”
More girls filtered in.
Wren bounced past in a unicorn costume that squeaked every time she moved.
Karmen appeared wearing a dragon, wings flopping dramatically.
Raven followed close behind her, wearing what looked like a clown walking on his hands, already laughing, and Cora adjusted the tutu skirt that was wrapped around her hippo costume.
Cole finally caught up to me and grabbed my hand, pulling me close just long enough to steal a kiss.
“This is crazy,” he laughed.
“You told me you’re used to this,” I teased.
“I am,” he said, kissing me again. “I just never thought I’d be kissing a pink dino.”
I glanced down at myself. “I am riding a pink dino, thank you very much.”
Ten minutes later, the common room was packed. Girls everywhere. Blow-up costumes bouncing and bumping into each other. Most of the guys were there too, watching, laughing, and shaking their heads as if they knew this was going to be legendary.
Carnie looked around, suddenly frowning. “Clove?”
“I s-s-saw her outs-s-side,” Eden said. “She was p-p-putting on her r-r-raccoon blow-up costume.”
We all looked around.
There was no raccoon.
“I’ll check,” Alice said. “She’s probably just struggling with it.” She opened the door and stepped outside, leaving it cracked as she called, “Clove?”
No answer.
Carnie moved closer to the door. “Clove!” she hollered. “Clove, where are you?”
Something shifted in the air.
People started moving. Blow-up costumes shuffled through the clubhouse, funny at first, but as minutes passed, the laughter faded.
The guys spread out.
Cole came to my side outside, his hand finding mine automatically.
“She’s not inside,” Maniac said as he pulled Wren, still in her unicorn, out the door.
Carnie’s voice broke as she called Clove’s name again.
“Over here!” Ender shouted.
We rushed to him.
He stood over a large swatch of gray fabric lying near the edge of the lot.
“That’s the c-c-color of her costume,” Eden whispered.
Beside it, the gravel was disturbed.
Fresh.
Tire tracks cut through it with boot prints.
Cole’s grip tightened as he pulled me closer.
Clove was gone.