The Resolution of Callie & Kayden (The Coincidence, #6)

‘His normal, adorable self,’ Seth answers.

‘He didn’t want to dress up?’ I slip the dress off the hanger and hesitate, deciding if I really want to wear this. Yeah, it’s just a dress, but it’s shorter than the few I’ve worn over the last few months. It’s gorgeous, though – dark blue with black lines decorated with studs that run vertically and horizontally in the chest area. To go with it, I have a pair of lacy knee-high stockings, black knee-high boots, and a velvet choker. When I bought it, I had this image of a gothic rocker chick, which is totally unlike the usual stuff I wear.

Deciding that I need to do this, I get dressed then twist my hair up, leaving a few stray waves out to frame my face. Even though my jacket doesn’t really go with it, I still grab it from the hanger, knowing I’m going to freeze to death without it.

‘Ta-da!’ I exclaim as I spring out of the closet with my hands up, striking a pose.

Seth is messing around with his phone, and when he glances up, his jaw drops. ‘Holy shit, you look hot.’

I instantly wrap my arms around myself. ‘Maybe I should change.’

Shaking his head, his eyes scroll up my attire. ‘No way. You are staying just like that.’ He waltzes up to me, reaching into his jacket pocket. ‘And I have two more things to add some detail to your hot ass.’

‘Seth,’ I hiss because his compliments are embarrassing me, ‘stop saying that.’

When he takes his hand out, he has two items in his palm – a tube of lipstick and eyeliner. ‘Well, you better get used to it because you’re going to hear it a lot tonight, especially from Kayden.’ He grins as he pats the desk chair. ‘Now sit down and put this stuff on.’

I take the lipstick, which is a dark red, and the kohl eyeliner. ‘Where did you get this stuff?’

He shrugs as he hands me my compact and then sits down on the bed. ‘I borrowed it from Violet.’

I click open the compact and set it on the desk. ‘Did you ask or just take it?’

‘I told her what it was for,’ he says, motioning at me to get a move on. ‘Now would you hurry your beautiful ass up? We’re going to be late.’

I lean over and begin to apply the liner. ‘Violet really didn’t mind that it was for me, then?’

‘No, it was the least she could do after you helped her with kickboxing and costume shopping today,’ he says as I apply the lipstick.

I rub my lips together as I put the cap on. ‘She doesn’t owe me anything, Seth. I was glad to help her.’

‘I know, but she didn’t mind. Besides, I think, even though she won’t admit it, she likes having friends.’

‘Yeah, maybe.’ Although, I think there’s way more to it than that. When I first met Violet, I thought she was mean. And honestly, I was under the impression that she might have been a prostitute. But now, after getting to know her and seeing the stuff on the news about her parents’ deaths, I think Violet has even more problems than I do.

I hand Seth back the makeup then slip my jacket on, wishing Kayden could have rode with me instead of meeting us there, but I understand he’s busy with practice and stuff.

Seth must sense some sort of weird vibe from me because he links his arm through mine and tugs me out the door. It’s pretty quiet on the elevator ride down, but once we reach the bottom, all bets are off.

‘So this is how the youngins celebrate Halloween, huh?’ I ask, my eyes wide as I take in the lounge area packed with people dressed up in so many different types of costume it’s madness I tell you. Everything from ghosts to slutty nurses to some sort of strange-looking zucchini costumes is present. There’s music playing and people are chatting and laughing, and some are even running around and screaming as they drink from plastic cups I’m sure aren’t filled with punch. Where their RA is, I have no clue, but I’m guessing nowhere within a mile radius since I’m pretty sure the noise can be heard from that far.

‘Wait until we get to the concert,’ Seth promises, noting my shocked stare.

‘I’ve never been to a concert,’ I admit as we turn for the exit and step outside into the frigid breeze. The ground is frozen, making the heeled boots I’m wearing a little complicated to walk in. The sun has set; the moon and stars are bright in the sky and twinkling right along with all the orange, black, and purple lights around the area.

‘I know you haven’t.’ Seth steers us to the grass covered by a thin layer of snow and we start to make our way to the parking lot. ‘I promise you’re going to love it, though. In fact, I think …’ He trails off at the sight of a figure crossing the grass toward us. It takes me a moment or two longer to realize who it is.

‘Hey, what are you doing there?’ I ask, releasing Seth’s arm and meeting Kayden halfway. ‘I thought you had practice.’

He doesn’t answer until he reaches me. ‘I know. I left early … I wanted to pick you up.’ He tugs at the bottom of his sleeves, seeming both nervous and excited.

I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly. ‘You didn’t have to do that.’

He looks amazing tonight in his black and grey plaid shirt that’s unbuttoned enough so I can see the black T-shirt he’s wearing that shows off his muscular abs. It’s topped off with a leather jacket, black jeans, and boots, his brown hair just the slightest bit messy in the sexiest way possible. Not really a Halloween costume, but totally not his norm and makes him even more ridiculously better looking than he already is.

‘I know I didn’t.’ He kisses my temple then pulls back to look me in the eye. ‘But I wanted to.’ He opens his mouth to say something else, but then his gaze drifts down my attire. I’m still holding the jacket, even though it’s freezing, so he gets the full view of me.

‘Holy shit,’ he breathes, his arms falling to his sides. He scratches at his wrist, eyes drinking me in. ‘You look—’

‘Don’t say hot,’ Seth warns, strolling up to us. ‘She seems to take that a bit offensively.’

The corners of Kayden’s mouth quirk. ‘I was actually going to say beautiful.’

‘Lair,’ Seth coughs, but then grins.

Repressing a smile, Kayden lifts one of his arms toward me. The first thing I notice is that there’s something sticking out of the sleeve of his shirt … a piece of gauze maybe. But then my eyes travel to what’s in his hand. A rose with a short, bare stem. He takes it and tucks it in my hair beside my ear, making me feel pretty. I’ve never been a fan of looking this way. That is, until now. But I think that has more to do with the way Kayden is looking at me, with this lustful, burning desire.

Screw prom.

This is so, so much better.

I’m about to tell him how much I love him when my attention darts to a pale figure running across the grass, yelling, ‘WOO HOO! Halloween fucking rocks!’

He looks familiar and I squint to get a better look at what’s going on. ‘Wait. Is he …?’ I trail off when I realize the reason why the figure is so pale. ‘He’s naked!’

Kayden’s eyes widen as he tracks my gaze then he places a hand over my eyes. ‘What the hell is it with streakers and Halloween? I swear I see at least one a year.’

Seth chuckles. ‘It’s the freedom in the air, to be whoever you want to be.’

‘I’m pretty sure he’s in my English class,’ I say. ‘And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look him in the eye again.’

‘Why?’ Seth asks. ‘You’re not the one who was seen in a very unflattering outfit. You should hold your head up high, baby girl.’

‘I know, but every time I look at him, I’ll picture his …’ I bite down on my lip, unable to finish the sentence, let alone get the picture of what I just witnessed.

This time Kayden laughs and he lowers his hand from my eyes. ‘You’re so adorable.’ Then he kisses me and I don’t feel shy or ashamed. Adorable I can handle. Kayden kissing me I can handle. Seeing more naked people tonight, I’m not so sure.