Page 112 of This I Promise You
She walks over to the living room mirror to put in her earrings. “Why don’t you put those charming dramatics to use and go put on the costume I left laying out on my bed for you.”
Oh shit. I canonlyimagine what kinda costume she has for me. Beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. Only I for real didn’t wanna go to this thing in the first place.
“I don’t have a costume though,” Easton says sleepily. Guess he’s awake.
“Yes you do.” Huxley turns around to face us. “Aidan says you have a little Spider-Man number in your closet.”
Easton scrunches up his face, rubbing his eyes. “That doesn’t fit. That was from high school.”
“So it’ll be a little tight. I doubt Paul will care.” Huxley shrugs, makes her way to the refrigerator, and pulls out a Dr. Pepper can. “Shit, I need to Facetime Jace real quick.”
“Huxley—”
“No, Paul. No.” She slaps the island counter. “This is literally the very first time you have agreed to go out with me and youbothwill be putting on your costumes and going to this damn party. I’m pulling a selfish. You’re going. We’re young and sexy as fuck and we’re going to flaunt our assets for the world to see. The semester is almost over,RENTis only a week away, and I’m stressed. We’re all going. Deal with it.”
“What do you mean ‘flaunt our assets’? Huxley?!”
* * *
“I hate you. I hate you so fucking much. You’re gonna get it, Huxley. I swear you are.” I grab her arm and whisper into her ear as we ascend the stairs to the house party. Easton’s in his Spider-Man costume—minus the mask since it’s, and I quote, “hot as Satan’s balls”—and it’s definitely small on him. I don’t mind though. It leaves nothing to the imagination and all I can think about is the jock strap he's wearing under it…and nothing else.
Aidan’s Man in the Mask fromThe Strangersand he looks awesome. Aidan’s friend Cameron is a vampire, cloaked in a crimson robe. But me? I look ridiculous. I’m wearing the skimpiest maid costume Huxley could find on Amazon. So this was all premeditated. Yeah, well, two can play that game because I’m thinking about all the ways I could hide her body.
“Paul, you have literally never looked sexier. So you’re welcome,” she not-so-whispers back.
“That’s what I told him. But he won’t believe me,” Easton adds. “I mean, look at those thighs! And your tattoos? I’mdying.”
“See?” Huxley says smugly. “Toldja.”
“It’s literally riding up in the back. Everyone is going to get a look at my literal asshole tonight.”
“It’s a good ass though.” Easton smiles.
“Now you know what it’s like to be a woman.” Huxley smirks.
“I didn’t realize you had so many tattoos, Paul,” Aidan comments. But yes he did. He saw me at the beach.
So glad everyone can have a laugh at my expense. Ha ha.
“Oh, he does. He even has one on his—”
“I hate every single one of you,” I yell over him.
“Can’t hate me. We just met,” Cameron pipes up.
“Yeah, and what a great first impression I’m making,” I deadpan.
We’re in the kitchen while Huxley and Aidan mix drinks. Easton took one shot but decided that’s all he’s having for the night. We agreed he would take it easy after what happened at the arcade yesterday. I’m playing DD, and good thing too with the amount of alcohol Aidan is pouring everyone.
We all head out back to the pool area. It’s the end of April, and North Carolina is going through a heat wave. The partygoers are countering Mother Nature with very little clothing. So I’m right at home.
*Insert eye roll here.*
Olivia Rodrigo blares through the speakers and Party City colored strobe lights take over my vision as I slip my hand into Easton’s.
“Do we have to stay the entire time?” I whine.
“Why?” Easton rolls his eyes, but he’s giggling at me.
