Page 40 of Bony Bony
“Youboth look fantastic,”Ideclared. “Thanksso much for coming.”WhenNovaandDiegoreached us,Iwelcomed them and pressed my finger to my chin asIstudied their costumes.Novawore a loose white dress, a long, wavy pale-blonde wig with black streaks.Hereyes were circled with dark makeup.Diegowore a black top hat and a wig with long dreadlocks and a fake beard. “Ah,Igot it!LivingDeadGirl!”
“Yup.”Novamoved forward in slow motion and lifted her arms towardDiego. “AndRobZombie.”
Oneside ofDiego’slips curled upward. “Novagets to play the dead one this time.”
Shesang, “PretendthatWe’reDead” byL7, andIchuckled. “Goodone.Ilove it.”Isniffed at her and inhaled the scent of her floral shampoo. “Atleast you don’t smell like the dead.”
“Ah, touché.”Diegocovered his chest with both hands as ifI’dhit him with an arrow.
“Youdon’t smell like that,Diego,”Icountered.
“That’sbecauseI’mundead.”Helaughed.
Novaglanced at my outfit.Istood straighter and motioned down the front of my body, which was covered in a tight black cat suit. “Meditatemy erection.”
Sheburst out with a laugh. “Sandy, fromGrease!”
“Iknew you’d get it but couldn’t resist giving you that little hint.”Itwould have been more obvious ifSebastianwas beside me as he was going to dress up asDannyZukoin a blackT-Birdjacket, but without him there…Noneed to dwell on that tonight.Myhand rose to the amethyst pendant.Thenecklace didn’t go with the costume, butIcouldn’t bring myself to take it off.
PandoraandAustinentered, dressed in dark trench coats, fedoras, and sunglasses, looking like spies.
“Fabulouscostumes,”Ipraised. “Youlook stealthy.”
“Youtoo in that catsuit,”Pandorareplied with a nod. “Cassandraalmost changed her mind and came, not wanting to miss it, but then she figured she’d fall asleep on the drive down, andValenwould have to turn back.”
“Ah, she might as well rest while she can before her little witchy shifter comes along.”
Austinglanced around. “Where’sSebastian?”
Imashed my lips shut, not wanting to explain the tense situation at that moment, but my silence seemed strangely more pronounced and far more awkward than ifI’dreplied with an off-hand comment.Lookswere exchanged, many cast in my direction as if gauging my reaction.
“I’llexplain later,”Pandorasaid in a lower tone.
Apparently, word spread quickly with my friends, but hadn’t reached everyone yet.Thiswasn’t a discussionIwanted to have, turning a fun party into a pity one.
“Everyone, get a drink.”Ismiled and gestured to the bar.
Brunorefilled my champagne cocktail, andItook a big sip, relishing the smooth taste of the bubbles dancing on my tongue.Ipushed away thoughts ofSebastianand focused on making sure everyone had a good time.Overthe next hour,Ibarely had a chance to talk to my friends as regulars and their guests talked to me.Eddieshowed up as a pirate—fitting since he’d been the one to bringMr.Bonesinto the club.Everyonewas dancing, drinking, talking.Theparty was a hit.
WhentheMisfits’ “HorrorBusiness” played,IcaughtNova’scurious stare.
Shecame over and pulled me aside. “Areyou okay?” she asked with concern.
“Ofcourse.”Iforced a smile.
“Imean withoutSebastianbeing here.”
Tensioncrawled up the back of my neck. “It’sfor the best.”
“Areyou sure about that?”Nova’sprobing eyes bore into mine.
Iexhaled audibly but didn’t reply.
Sheadded. “Idon’t see it.Notfor you and not for him.Andit seemed to come out of the blue.Thiswhole thing is weird.It’slike you haven’t been yourself lately.”
Myjaw twitched. “Oh, please,”Idismissed with a wave to offset the discomfort. “I’msome right now.Whoelse would come up with a wacky idea to host a party like this inJune?It’sright on brand.”
“No.”Sheshook her head. “That’snot whatImean.Iknow you and something is—different.”
