Page 88 of Keep Me Never
Don’t screw this up.
Don’t let this slip.
Whatever this is between us, whatever it could be, it’s the only thing that’s ever felt this real.
All I know is I want to keep her.
I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Paige
“It’s dark time, it’s dark time!” Deaton runs into the living room, his Thor cape flying behind him with his speed. He runs right up to his mom, yanking at her hand. “It’s dark, Mama! Time for trickers treating!”
The room falls into light giggles, and she bends, scooping him up.
“It is, baby, it is! Are you ready?” She eats up his excitement, allowing it to become her own.
“Yes! But I need to go get my pumpkin first. Don’t leave me, okay?”
Payton fights a smile as she sets him on his feet. “I promise.”
The little guy runs off once again, high-fiving Brady on his way, who comes into the kitchen flexing in his pajama outfit made to look like a Superman costume.
“I feel like I was born for this role.” Brady grins, his lips curving higher as Cameron comes around the corner in a matching Robin set. He glances around at all our outfits, all of us matching as far as we’re wearing pj’s but each person is a different character. “I think I’m gonna end the night with a new role-play kink.”
“Of course you are, Big Guy.” Cameron pats his shoulder as she slides into the kitchen, snagging a cup and filling it from the big Gatorade jug Payton just got done mixing.
Chase and Mason come around the corner, laughing as they shove each other, fighting to be the first person to wash their hands.
“The wagon’s all good to go,” Mase calls over his shoulder. “Chase’s idea of adding the pillow with a stadium seat inside worked perfectly. The jug and cups will fit right behind it, and D can hop into the seat in front whenever his feet start to get tired.”
“Cool. I’ll strap it in now.” Brady grabs the margarita mixture and heads outside just as Deaton comes back around the corner.
“Ready!” He holds up the little pumpkin bucket he got with his Happy Meal this afternoon. When no one moves right away, he lifts a hand. “Well, come on, guys!” He smiles. “Let’s get the show on the road!”
Laughter breaks from everyone, and we do as the little man says—we get the show on the road.
Within a couple minutes, everyone is outside, the basket of candy for anyone who might come by while we are out is set up near the door, and we head off.
Deaton drags Mason to the first few houses, but after that, he’s got it all figured out and follows another small group of kids up to each door.
About ten minutes in, we’ve finally made it to Lolli and Nate’s house.
The moment Lolli opens the door, Deaton runs right in, and we almost laugh as the parents of the other little kids start to panic, but Payton smooths it over quickly, explaining she’s family and we’re picking her up along the way.
After passing out candy to those few kids, Lolli also sets a bowl on the porch and makes her way down to join us.
“I thought you assholes forgot about me!” she shouts, eyes trailing Deaton as he runs to the next house.
“How could we forget about you?! We even made you something special,” Cam teases, pouring her a cup from a smaller thermos I didn’t even notice they brought.
She walks up, already short of breath, long, dark hair pulled up in a ponytail. “If there’s no tequila in it, I don’t want it.”
“You’ll never know the difference.”
Lolli grins, taking the cup and hugging everyone hello.
