Page 13 of All Hallows' Rage
“She scares me,” Everett admitted.
“And yet, you blew off an entire night’s shift to get your dick wet,” Matt said, leaning in. We’d done much worse on the clock, but the light hazing and banter was easy with Ev.
“Shh, what if her bat hearing picks that up?” Everett frantically looked behind us and over everyone’s heads for any sign of her popping up.
“Relax,” Matt soothed in that ever-calm demeanor of his. “I handled it. You just owe me now.” Matt’s grin told me it wasn’t simply handled and he was up to some shit again. Glossy black hair flashed back into our group.
“I’m here, I’m here,” Lane said, fixing her costume and straightening flyaways. “Did she notice?” she asked, slipping into the center of our triangle.
“Nope,” I said, popping the “P.”
“Group hug, I love my little bendy freak family,” Lane said, pulling on each of us until we surrounded her in a tight embrace.
“What’s got you so lovey?” Matt asked as we pulled away.
“Feels like everything’s falling into place finally. Just happy is all.” Lane reached for Everett’s hand.
“Lane! Everett!” Gretchen’s shrill voice dissolved the tender moment we were sharing.
“Here!” they called in unison.
“Good. Lane, you look lovely, and Everett, if your bowels act up again, I need you to find me a replacement before you leave.” Gretchen looked down at her clipboard as Ev gawked and recovered.
“My what?”
“The other weekend,” Gretchen said, nonchalantly checking things off on her paper. “Get a replacement until it passes.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, defeated and mortified as she walked off to her usual chair outside of the curtain. I stared at Lane, fighting laughter as Matt looked away to keep his composure.
“My bowels, dude?” Everett’s hand popped Matt’s chest and the dam broke. Lane and I lost it to a fit of giggles.
“It worked, yeah?” That was Matt’s only saving grace.
“I owe you an ass whooping!”
“I’ll allow it,” I said, bumping my fist into Ev’s.
“I second the ass whooping!” Lane said, thrusting her hand into the air.
“You’re not my man,” Matt countered her.
“I’m one of your best friends though!”
“Into the pond,” Matt said firmly, the hint of a grin on the corner of his mouth.
“You wouldn’t dare!” Lane’s mock excitement was followed with a gasp.
Music started, drowning out the crowd and putting an end to their loving squabble. Peeking through the curtain, I saw the lights had dimmed and two bright spotlights marked the center of the floor.
“Go get ‘em,” Matt said, knocking his elbow against Lane’s. I clapped a hand on Everett’s shoulder.
Ev took Lane’s hand before she turned and whispered, “Love you, guys!” The curtains drew back fully, and they hit the buttons on their headsets. The beat changed in the music, and they sprinted toward the center spotlight. Around them, lights strobed to the rhythm of the drums. With effortless grace, Ev hoisted Lane into the air and onto his shoulders.
“Welcome, mere mortals! Hallow’s Haunt warns you; tonight is not for the faint of heart!” Lane’s voice filled the speaker system as Everett panned her for the crowd. He reached up, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her down. Directing the path of her swing, he caught her ankle and held her above the ground. The crowd gasped and awed, standing in their seats with excitement.
“Fly for me tonight,” Matt whispered, kissing my temple.
“Watch our demons play as they keep you on the edge of your seat!” Everett righted Lane, ready to run off the floor. “On your feet, ghosts and ghouls! Let us hear you scream for The Devil’s Rage!” The spotlight cut out with Everett’s voice, and lights flashed all around.
