38. Zack
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
zack
“You’re lucky I like you,” Marsh says to me, looking at his outfit.
Nate chuckles, grinning at Marsh like he’s dying to say something.
“What?” Marsh grumbles.
“It’s just…” Nate snorts. “The cape’s a nice look. You make a good vampire ‘cause you suck!” He slaps his hands on his knees as he bends over in laughter.
Marsh chases him and Nate runs. “Yeah? Maybe we should switch costumes! ‘Cause you suck!”
“You could never pull this off.” Nate pulls a mask down over his face, looking like a character from one of Evvy’s favorite slasher movies. “Sexy masked man. I was made for this!”
“You both suck!” Brent shouts, laughing as the other two continue running in circles. “What are you supposed to be?”
“A zombie lumberjack. One of Evvy’s favorite books is about a lumberjack, and I thought she’d appreciate this…combining two of her favorite things.” I show off my flannel shirt and jeans.
“And what makes you a zombie? Shouldn’t you be wearing makeup?”
“I’ll just walk slowly. Like this.” I stretch my arms out in front of me and take giant, slow steps.
Brent lets out a rumbling laugh. “Let me guess, no makeup because you’re hoping this outfit will cause a good reaction after the party?” He raises a questioning brow.
“Bingo!” I make a finger gun motion with my hand. “And what are you supposed to be?” Brent’s wearing a black hoodie and jeans.
“A thirty-four-year-old, tired hockey captain who couldn’t decide on a costume in time. Sorry, man.” Brent frowns.
“Don’t worry about it. The costumes were just a fun little extra. I’m beyond grateful you’re letting us use your yard for this.”
“Anything for you and Evvy. Oh, Josie just texted! They’re on their way over.”
Marsh and Nate are still running around the driveway. “You two! Quit the games and help us with the pumpkins.” We’ve spent every waking moment together the past few days, so as foolish as they’re being, I’m grateful they’re here.
The last section of Brent’s driveway is lined with jack-o’-lanterns. I bought out a local farm stand that had them pre-carved. There was no way we’d have pulled off carving twenty-plus pumpkins after flying in from the game.
We finish turning on all of the battery-powered candles just as the sound of footsteps echoes down the dark driveway.
Nate picked up a bunch of regular candles, but being so close to the woods, we quickly axed that idea and borrowed a bunch of fake ones from Josie’s living room.
Since it’s for Evvy, I don’t think she’ll mind.
It’s a perfect fall night. The air is crisp, but not too cold, and there’s not a cloud in the sky. A full moon shines down, providing a soft glow over the woods.
The crunch of footsteps on the dirt driveway grows louder, and the sound of laughter rings through the air. My heart’s pounding as though I chugged five energy drinks. I missed so many birthdays and lost out on other opportunities to celebrate Evvy. I need this to be fun for her.
“No, not that way! Watch your step, Evvy!” Bax begs loudly. “Don’t trip!”
“Here, take my hand,” Bailey says.
“Then whose hand am I holding?”
“Mine.” Josie laughs.
“Your directional skills could use some improvement, Josie.”
“I didn’t expect you to be blindfolded!” Josie bursts into a fit of giggles. “At least I got you here in one piece.”
“It’s dark out. Was the blindfold really necessary?” Evvy asks, and I can see the faint outline of the group approaching in the distance.
“There’s a full moon…it’s not that dark. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise!” Bax exclaims. “I’m not going to risk getting on your guy’s bad side.”
“You blindfolded her, Bax? Really?” I call to him as I move toward the sound of the group, wanting to close the distance as quickly as possible. I’m not wasting another second away from her, especially tonight.
“I was just trying to be helpful. Jeez.” Bax huffs.
They fully come into view as they walk through the pumpkin display. Bax is dressed like a vampire. Whether it was his goal to feel cool by matching Marsh, or to royally piss him off, I’ll never know. Bailey and Josie have on matching sweatshirts with glowing cat eyes, but Evvy…
“Oooo you should see his face, Evvy,” Bailey teases her.
“Yeah, I told you he wouldn’t think it’s funny,” Josie adds.
“Do you need help picking your jaw up off the ground, Shayle?”
“Great to see you again too, Bailey.” I give her a quick hug.
I’m really fucking thankful that Bailey isn’t holding a grudge against me.
I know Evvy filled her in on the Jeff situation, but I still played a part in hurting her best friend, even if it was accidental.
It’s a painful regret I’ll need to live with for the rest of my life.
I’m hard enough on myself about the situation, it would be even more difficult if Evvy’s best friend wasn’t supportive.
“Thanks for setting this up. I missed my girl.”
“I know the feeling,” I say, and Bailey’s face softens. She and Evvy are so close. I’m sure it’s not easy living on opposite ends of the country.
“Can I take the blindfold off now?”
I wrap my arms around Evvy, pulling her into my chest. She melts into me as I kiss the top of her head. Inhaling deeply, I soak up every last bit of her.
“Are you sniffing me, Shayle?”
I squeeze her tighter. “How’d you know it was me? You really need to work on your survival instincts, sweetheart.”
“I can smell you. And I’d recognize this chest anywhere.” She presses her cheek over my heart as it drums loudly beneath her ear.
“So, who’s smelling who?” I say with a laugh. “And yeah, I’m smelling you. I wish I could bottle it up and take it on the road with me. Or better yet, just take you on the road with me.”
Her signature Evvy scent isn’t the only thing I’ve missed after being deprived of her for so long.
Three days away should have felt like a piece of cake, but instead, it reinforced how far I’ve fallen for her.
I’ve always loved Evvy, but it’s only grown deeper since she’s come back into my life.
I missed watching the rise and fall of her chest as she drifts off to sleep and the feel of her warm curves pressed against my body when I wake up each morning.
I missed the sound of her laughter after one of my absurd jokes and the way her face flushes when she catches me stealing a glance at her.
And I missed the way her hand always finds my chest, fingers dancing across my tattoo before she comes. Fuck, I just missed her.
Evvy chuckles and it vibrates against my chest, filling me with warmth. Leaning down, my lips brush the shell of her ear, causing her to gasp softly. “You’re wearing my jersey. Do you know what that does to me, Evvy?”
“I’m kind of plastered to your body. So, yeah, I absolutely feel what that does to you. Mission accomplished.” The sound of Evvy’s sweet laugh fills my ears.
“Laugh now, sweetheart. Josie was right. There’s nothing funny about seeing my name written across your back.” My fingers drag across the letters stitched on the jersey, and Evvy’s knees go weak.
“And Bailey’s right, you are a caveman.” She presses a kiss to my chest as her hands skate down my arms, sending a chill down my spine.
“Only about this.”
“Exactly how I like it.” Evvy rises on her toes and her hands grip the back of my head, pulling me down toward her.
“As much as I enjoy seeing you in my jersey right now, all I can think about is what’s hiding underneath. I’m dying for a taste, Evvy,” I whisper quietly in her ear.
She whimpers as my hand runs down her back.
Still blindfolded, her lips search for mine, planting the softest kiss at the corner of my mouth.
I give her bottom lip a gentle tug between my teeth, and Evvy’s hands run through my hair.
Her tongue slips between my lips, and just when I finally get a taste of what I’ve been craving, the sound of applause shatters our little bubble.
Marsh whistles with his fingers and Brent hoots. Josie and Bailey are laughing, and Nate shakes his head, grinning. Bax covers his eyes like he just walked in on his parents doing something he didn’t want to see.
Evvy slowly pulls off the blindfold and claps her hands to her face. “I forgot we had an audience.”
Despite the darkness, I have no doubt she’s turned a few shades of red. “Sorry, sweetheart, there’s no hiding how much I missed you.” I drape my arm across her shoulders and pull her into my side.
“He’s not exaggerating. Believe me,” Marsh groans. “And Nate had to room with him.”
“Jealous much?” I tease. Marsh is firmly anti-relationship for himself, but I know he’s happy for his friends. As much as he acts like a cocky asshole, he does have some feelings.
“Jealous? Hah! Do you think I want to spend my Saturday night building a haunted house for a girlfriend? That’s all you, Shayle.”
Evvy looks up at me and a surprised smile fans across her face. “You made me a haunted house?”
“Gee, thanks Marsh.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry. Surprise, Evvy!” Marsh throws out his arms like a magician showing off a grand finale.
“Not a haunted house. A haunted walk through Brent and Josie’s woods.”
Evvy dives back into my arms. “Like before?” She asks softly, only loud enough for me to hear. Evvy and I visited an epic haunted house on the day we first officially started dating. It’s one of my happiest memories.
“On a smaller scale, but yeah.” She nuzzles her face against me and my hands roam her back. “Happy birthday, my Halloween girl.”