Page 165 of Pucking Obsessed

We rushed out without changing out of our costumes.

Perhaps, friendship is being persuaded into dressing up for Halloween dinner parties.

Also, exploitation of cats.

How could I say no to taking off my suit jacket and slipping on the swishing cat tail, when Michael was already awkwardly wearing black cat ears and Cody had a kitten collar around his neck?

Cody said that he’d chosen the costumes in my honor.

No one has themed a party around something I like before.

Even my birthdays at home were shared with my twin. They were usually based on Shay’s favorite passions. He was louder about his loves, whether of the stars or rock music.

It was harder for my adoptive parents to see me.

But Cody does.

“How are we going to get in?” Cody glances around himself. “We could break a window.”

I still can’t speak.

I swallow, but the words are trapped inside.

Instead, I decide to show Cody by crouching down in front of the white door, which has an archway of glass above it.

I study the lock.

Michael raises his eyebrow. “You’re looking rather professional.”

“As in pro criminal,” Cody adds.

I reach into my pocket.

A PA needs to be prepared.

I have a mini pen and notebook, lighter, and heavy duty paperclips in my pocket.

The paperclips aren’t only stationary.

I slip the two paperclips out, straightening one and turning the other into an L shape as a tension wrench.

Then I focus on picking the lock one-handed.

Michael glances over his shoulder like he’s checking for cops.

I don’t know why.

I’m not the bad guy here.

Would cops in America shoot me anyway?

I don’t stop working on the lock with intent focus.

Let them shoot me.

The best man I’ve met in my life — the only one to believe in me and give me a chance, home, and family — is trapped inside.

I’ll do anything to protect D’Angelo.

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