Page 55 of Vows From Hell

However, she wasn’t ready to know about Micah and me. Eventually, I was going to tell her, but that was far into the future.

At first, she tried convincing me it was a bad idea, but reluctantly dropped it after seeing how determined I was. Then, she finally let go of the topic with a promise from me that I’d visit whenever I got the chance.

“Here you go.” Arlo returned with a canned beer for me. For his wife, he brought a water bottle and she immediately protested.

“I’m not a kid, I can handle my liquor.”

“Uh-uh,” Arlo mused with a raised eyebrow, throwing his arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer. “That’s why you barely remember our honeymoon.”

The two of them bickered lovingly for another minute or two, and I felt green. Seeing the two of them love each other so strongly, passionately, and freely brought out jealously. It was something I’d wished for deeply to have with Micah.

During the past year, Micah kept his promises. The first two months were with no contact, but afterwards, he started sending me letters. They had no return address, which I assumed was because he wanted to keep me safe.

He called on my birthday, and we talked until I fell asleep. In the morning, a gift awaited me in front of my door, and it was the happiest I’d been since he left.

Arlo was vague about his whereabouts, but I was certain they kept in contact. Well, Micah never visited and for a reason.

Only a week after I’d returned, I was brought in for questioning. Kyle Morrison was missing, presumed dead. It seemed as though he’d told another few people he’d be taking me to New York, so I was the prime suspect.

However, they had no evidence and had to release me.

After that, Arlo told me my every move was being watched. It was only expected, though I didn’t think they were going to be that persistent. They only stopped after Arlo involved himself and the influence of his family.

But that was six months ago. Tonight marked the year since he left. Arlo and Blair dragged me to a Halloween party, despite my protests.

On the day he left, it was sunny.

On the day of his return, it was stormy.

The perfect way to describe our turbulent relationship. My happiness wasn’t something I was able to control or keep to myself. I’d been smiling like a lunatic for the past couple of hours and the grin just wouldn’t leave my face.

“You seem happy,” Blair noted and smiled at me. She hid her grin behind the bottle, but I saw right through it.

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t be?”

“No, not at all.”

Although Micah never specifically said he was returning tonight, I had a gut feeling. Something was poking the lower part of my stomach, twisting and turning for the entire day.

Excitement rushed through my veins as Blair dragged my hand led me toward the crowd of people, squeezing her way through them and starting to dance with me.

Most wore some sort of a costume. A lot of bloody nurses, fictional characters, and slutty cats were around. Everyone looked amazing and seemed to have a great time.

But even as I was dancing with Blair, I couldn’t completely shut off the sudden wave of anxiety that started building up.

“Are you okay?” Blair’s concerned voice broke my train of thoughts. She pulled me aside, away from the crowd and we sat on a nearby bench.

Behind us was a dark forest. The party was being held in a corn field. Apparently, this kind of thing happened every year.

Chilly air hit my face as I gave her a forced smile.

“I don’t know…” The honesty stung. “What if he doesn’t show up?”

Blair’s response came immediately. “I don’t think you should be worried about that.”

My eyes followed her line of vision, and the can slipped from my hands.

Across from me, blending with the crowd, stood a tall man. His white shirt was coated in blood, with a Ghost mask on.

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