Page 96 of Vicious Sentiments

“He’s this totally basic guy that keeps sending her memes that aren’t funny. Bellemy thinks he’s a weirdo, but he’s Katie’s brother, and we kind of have to be nice to him.”

I’m in an information overload as she stands back up and starts messing with my hair again.

“Do you think Cape and Julian are only nice to Dillon because he’smybrother? I don’t think Dillon’s a weirdo. He is pretty basic though.” She giggles to herself.

I feign a chuckle and I’m glad she can’t see my face as I lie to her. “Dillons not a weirdo.”

Chapter Fifty-One

The whole house ispacked.There are so many kids in colorful costumes, and I can’t even tell what they are as the strobe lights flash. Music thrums a deep pop bass, and all around me, squeals and whoops let out.

I’m amazed by the transformation of the house. Nothing looks familiar and every classic piece of Margo’s has been replaced by skeleton bowls overflowing with candy and creepy painted pumpkins. Every surface is covered with lace black cloths and every ceiling corner has cobwebs with spiders dangling.

I linger at the bottom on the stairs, scanning over the tops of bobbing heads for a familiar face. I didn’t get to see what the boys look like yet, since they were trapped in Marney’s room, but they would at least be taller than all the other guests.

I know the four of them—Dillon, Cape, Julian, and Marney—made a grand entrance that I missed while trying to shimmy into the dress that makes my costume complete. I hollered from the other side of the bathroom door for them to go on without me, not wanting to hold them up when Marney’s patience was wearing thin.

I didn’t know the house was going to be so full though. I thought maybe twenty, thirty kids max. This looks like the whole school and then some.

“Damn, you’re hot!” A kid with braces leers at me.

“Um, thanks?” I look down at his cocky little face. He’s got frankenstein bolts glued to his neck and a cup of some sort of green juice in his hand.

“I didn’t bring a date so if you want—”

“Beat it, pipsqueak.” A brown colored bear of a man pushes the kid away with a claw to the kid’s forehead.

“Hey!” the kid whines, and Cape roars. Like an actual roar, putting up his bear claws and shaking them.

I snort as the kid’s eyes go wide, and he backs away.

“I expect I’ll have to do that all night.” Cape turns and eyes me up and down. I blush under the weight of his gaze. My chest is more exposed than I’ve ever felt comfortable allowing. The dress came with a corset that Marney snapped at mehad to be worn.

But I see that Cape didn’t get a say in his outfit either. He’s wearing a brown leather vest and nothing underneath it. His whole muscular body is on display, except his hands that are in a grizzly pair of bear gloves. On his head is a pair of ears that seem to disappear into his hair that are slightly rounded and protruding tufts of fur. Marney has attached long fangs to his teeth and painted his face with perfectly brown feathered strokes to add the appearance of fur.

And honestly? It’s extremely hot.

As if Cape is aware of this, he gives me a side smile, showing off a sharpened fang and putting out an arm for me to take. I do so with a warm heat in my stomach and let him lead me into the crowd.

It’s not as claustrophobic as I thought it would be, at least not with Cape cutting a path. The kids ping off of him like bullets on an armored vehicle, and suddenly we are on the other side of the house, nearing two similar looking bears and a goldilocks.

“O-M-G!” Marney bounces on her toes when she sees me. Her natural blonde hair is perfect for her costume and it bounces with her in tight ringlets. Her blue patterned dress has shoulder pads andwhite lace all around the trim.

She gives me a hug and beams around at all of us. Julian has the same outfit and makeup as Cape but done in all black. Somehow he comes off less rugged though, a more gentlemanly bear. I purse my lips to stop from smiling as I take him in.

I can’t believe how sturdy he is despite his recent injuries and it occurs to me that my birthday is in two days and he’s not going to be under the weather.

“You look…” Julian’s eyes go wide as he takes me in. He shakes his head and grabs my white gloved hand, kissing it.

Feeling giddy, I raise my chin and act superior. I amRosefrom Titanic after all.

“Oh ho, ho, well, well, well, now who’s being rude?” He raises his brows, quoting Jack and he does it so well, his smile so bright, that I break character and giggle.

“My, Oh, My!” Margo appears wearing a witches hat and looks me up and down. “You look gorgeous, Peach.” She cups my cheek and smiles, her eyes crinkling lovingly. “Titanic is my favorite movie and might I say you’re a better Rose than Kate Winslet.”

“Yeah, you look really nice, Hailey.” Dillon says from off to the side, and I feel Cape tense behind me. It’s such a random thing to say, coming from him, and I look at him quizzically.

He doesn’t look me in the eye though and instead takes a sip of the green juice that’s circling the party. He’s done up as a gray bear and the metallic paint on his face covers the bruise well. It makes his icy hair pop in contrast.

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