Page 57 of Where We Call Home

“Thanks, Mac,” I said as he led me toward the tables stacked with food and drinks.

The barn was packed, far more crowded than I’d expected. I scanned the room, looking for familiar faces. The main area was decked out with cobwebs and fuzzy spiders, bats hanging from the ceiling, and skeletons propped against the walls. Red lights cast eerie shadows over everything, setting the perfect Halloween mood.

This had Aspen’s touch all over it.

“The rest of the gang is over in the far corner,” Mac said, giving my shoulder a friendly pat before turning to Rhodes. “Catch you later, cowboy.”

Mac disappeared into the crowd, and I timidly approached a pitcher labeled ‘blood’ on the drink table. It was hard to tell what was spiked and what wasn’t, but I was craving something fruity.

“Want me to taste it and check for alcohol?” Rhodes’s deep voice tickled my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. The speakers were loud enough to shake the walls, forcing him to lean in close so I could hear him.

“Please,” I said, stepping aside as he grabbed a red solo cup. He filled it with just a splash, tipped it to his lips, and smirked.

“Straight juice. No alcohol,” he confirmed, then filled the cup to the brim and handed it to me.

I took a sip and was immediately hit with nostalgia. It tasted like childhood—like trick-or-treating in neighborhoods with the best candy, hoarding juice barrels and king-sized Snickers bars like treasure.

Rhodes reached down, grabbed a beer from the cooler, and popped the top on the edge of the table with effortless ease.

Hot. My ovaries were practically doing backflips.

“You ready?” he asked, his voice low and close, his lips brushing against my ear again. Goosebumps spread down my arms as I nodded, my voice caught somewhere between a squeak and a hum.

“Mhm,” I managed, taking a step in the direction Mac had pointed out earlier.

I needed to get this conversation over with before everyone else got too drunk—or before I backed out entirely.

As promised, the group was gathered in the corner, chatting and laughing. My stomach dropped, nerves twisting into a knot.

Boone and Aspen were the first I spotted. They were dressed as Bo Peep and her sheep—Aspen in a sweet pink dress with a scandalous neckline, and Boone covered in cotton balls, sheep ears perched on his head.

Penny caught my eye next, dressed as a slutty black cat in a faux-leather spandex suit even tighter than mine. Bless her soul—I had no idea how she planned to get out of that thing later. Judging by the way Mac was leaning against the wall, openly ogling her, I suspected he’d be the one helping her out of it.

Even Logan was here, which surprised me. He wore a simple lion’s mane and a yellow T-shirt, whiskers and a pink nose painted on his face.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to move forward and join the circle.

“Theo! Rhodes!” Penny squealed, rushing over to hug me. Her warmth and excitement hit me like a tidal wave, and guilt twisted in my chest.

She had no idea what had been weighing on my mind, which pointed to how ridiculous my worries had been or how oblivious she was.

Penny’s hug was tight and genuine, her vanilla-scented perfume wrapping around me like comfort.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she whispered, pulling back slightly to beam at me.

“Me too,” I said softly. I really had missed her.

Aspen quickly swooped in, nearly knocking Penny aside to hug me next. The love from my friends was overwhelming, and for the first time in weeks, I felt truly welcome.

“I’m glad you made it,” Aspen said sweetly.

“Can I talk to you two for a second?” I asked, glancing between them.

They nodded immediately. I tapped Rhodes on the arm, handing him my drink.

He leaned down once more, his voice a low murmur against my ear. “I’ll be right here.”

I squeezed his arm in acknowledgment, then grabbed Aspen and Penny by the hands, leading them to a quiet corner by the hay bales.

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