Page 63 of Love on the Waiver Wire

I blame my parents for not allowing me to watch it growing up.

“Ahh,” I say, turning my attention to Mila. “Who’s attention are you trying to get tonight?” My eyebrow raises as I take in her thigh-high boots, fishnets, and black leather bodysuit. A tail hangs from her lower back and she wears a black mask complete with cat ears.

“I’m not looking to impress anyone,” she says matter-of-factly, examining her long red press-on nails she just put on. I’m willing to bet any amount of money they don’t last the night. She’s always ripped them off hours after.

“Don’t even lie Mila,” Amara says, rolling her eyes.

“I’m not lying, I’m just going to have fun,” Mila snaps.

Not wanting to be caught in the middle of a cat fight, I help Heidi with the rest of her costume, careful not to get any makeup on mine. I may regret wearing this later.

When they’re finally ready to go, we hop in a cab and we’re at Lulu’s in no time, watching as we drive past the line wrapped around the block.

“I wish Leo was here,” Mila slumps in her seat, and quirk a brow at her.

“I don’t want to fuck your brother, Isla don’t worry. I just wish he could get us in. This line sucks.”

“You should have brought a coat,” Heidi says, holding up the hoodie she brought.

“It’s Halloween, I’m not bringing a coat to a club on Halloween.”

Heidi shrugs.

We get out, thanking the driver before getting in line. About twenty minutes later, Cooper walks by. Not that I recognized him at first in his batman mask. In fact, if he hadn’t been animatedly talking to the man next to him—my guess is Emmett in a full long, blonde wig and dress, his massive frame looking absolutely hilarious as the dress sways.

“Cooper!” I yell, not sure if I’ll get lucky enough to catch his attention. He turns, spotting us.

“Hey! What are you guys standing around here for?”

I shrug. “Trying to get in!”

He shakes his head, grabbing my arm. “Come on ducklings, follow me.”

Cooper drags me behind him before he realizes I’m two seconds away from tripping. The other three are close behind, huddled close together.

When we get up to the front of the line, Cooper flashes a toothy smile at the bouncer, lifting his mask. “I have four guests here,” he motions behind him, and with only a short once-over, the bouncer waves us inside.

“That was easy,” Mila whispers.

Lulu’s is busier than any Monday night we’ve ever been to, but it always is on Halloween. Everyone is packed in like sardines, only some spots in the back have real room to breathe. But there’s something about the DJ blasting Halloween music, the green and blue lights bouncing off of spider webs and fake blood spatters, that just makes it all worth it.

It also helps that wedoget special treatment. If you hang out with the team, you always do.

“Are the rest of the guys already here?” I ask Cooper, looking around.

“I think they’re in the back,” he yells over the music, pointing toward where Owen had taken me a couple of weeks ago.

“There’s a back?” Amara asks, her hand to her chest.

“There’s a back,” I nod.

“Come on, Barbie will lead the way,” he says as he pushes Emmett in front of us. We form a line behind the two men, happy we don’t have to push and shove our way through the thick crowd.

When we reach the back, we turn down the small hall and are let in by the second bouncer. The main room of the back is also packed, but much less so than the actual club area. There’s a couple seats free at the bar, and we make a beeline for them, the four of us crowding around two stools.

“What can I get you tonight?” the bartender asks as I hand him my card to start a tab. The other three are great about sending me money for their drinks at the end of the night, so I never mind.

“Rum and coke please,” I call over the music, moving aside for the other three.

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