"Hey, slow down," I said, snatching Nate's drink from his hand. "I don't want to babysit you all night."
"I'm hardly tipsy," Nate said, holding his hand out. "Give me my drink. Asher said he'd pick us up anytime we need him."
I put the drink back in his hands and sipped on my own mixture. We'd gone to a Halloween party a friend of ours was throwing. Nate was dressed as Chris Redfield and I was dressed as Leon Kennedy (with significantly less emo hair). Everyone around us was dressed in costumes, and we'd lost Landon when he ran off with two girls a little while ago.
I was keeping an eye on my phone in case Staz texted me. I'd invited him to the party, but he hated parties. I'd offered to spend the night with him, but he said his parents were taking him to get apple cider from his favorite cider mill, and then taking him home to bake apple cake and watch movies.
I'd talked to Nero about it, and Nero told me that Staz didn't like Halloween. He said Staz used to throw fits when they carved pumpkins because he hated the texture on the inside. Nero also said Staz was afraid of scary movies because of the sudden loud noises. Apparently when Staz was younger, he'd also sometimes throw fits about Halloween costumes. He hated certain textures, and he'd cry if anyone tried to make him wear a mask.
Nero said their parents always let Staz pick out a costume he was comfortable in. They'd send Nero and Dante out trick-or-treating with Staz so that Staz wouldn't have to talk at the doors. Ian went with them until he got too old, preferring to go out with his friends instead of babysit his youngest brother.
"You're zoning out," Nate said, nudging my arm. "Are you sure you didn't have too much to drink? You put a lot of vodka in that drink, Jude."
"I just feel bad that I left Staz alone," I said, looking down at my drink. I would finish this one and quit for the night. I didn't like getting into a state beyond tipsy when I was around anyone other than Nate or Landon. I liked to be in control and aware of what was happening.
"So? Go see him. We've been at this party for hours," Nate said. "Asher will drop you off at Staz's place."
"Do you think I should?" I said.
Nate nodded. "Yea, it'll probably make Staz really happy. Besides, I know you. You're done drinking for the night. They're starting up drinking games. You won't have fun here if you stay."
"Alright, I'll text Asher," I said, finishing up my drink as I texted him.
"Leaving me alone," Nate said, shaking his head. "Poor Chris Redfield, always loses all of his men."
"And yet, he carries on. Sometimes by excessive drinking." I tapped Nate's cup. "Get chugging."
"You just told me to stop!" Nate said as I started walking away.
"If I'm gone, I don't have to babysit you," I called over my shoulder.
I left the house and waited until Asher pulled up. I got in the car and gave him Staz's address.
Asher pulled into the driveway a few minutes later. "Text me if you need a ride home. I'll be up for a while since Nate is still out."
"Thanks Asher," I said, getting out of the car.
I went up to the door and rang the doorbell. Mr. Montgomery answered and looked surprised.
"Jude!" he said, smiling. "Staz will be so excited to see you. He kept talking about you. He wanted you to try the apple cake we made."
I stepped into the house and offered a polite smile. "Where is he?"
"In his room. Dante came by," Mr. Montgomery said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's...kind of a relief, actually. He used to go out on Halloween and once we had to call the cops because he didn't come home. It's nice to know he's here and sober. He used to spend Halloween evening watching Hocus Pocus with Staz."
"That's good," I said, although I didn't want to see Dante.
"Well, feel free to head on up. Thanks for coming to see him," Mr. Montgomery said.
I left and went upstairs. I let myself into Staz's bedroom and he and Dante looked over at me. Staz looked at me in confusion.
"Why are you here? You said you were going to a party," he said, fidgeting with a string on his shirt.
"Are you Charlie Brown?" I asked.
Staz's face lit up. "I'm not really Charlie Brown," he said. "But I dressed as him for Halloween. Who are you dressed as?"
"Leon from Resident Evil. Nate dressed as Chris," I said, going over and sitting next to him on his bed.
"You would dress as the definition of angst," Dante said. "I'm positive that Mama by My Chemical Romance is just constantly playing on loop in Leon's head."
"I'm not up MCR's ass. I hardly even like them," I said. "What are you watching, Staz?"
"Hocus Pocus," he said. "Dante and I watch it every year. Except when Dante was gone."
I didn't miss the way Dante winced at that. "But I'm here this year, Stazzy."
Staz nodded. He smiled a little. "And Jude's here!"
"I felt bad not spending the night with you," I said with a shrug.
"Can I kiss you?" Staz asked.
I nodded and Staz leaned in, pressing his lips to mine. He pulled away and slowly held my hand in his own.
Staz looked between me and Dante. "I want..." He struggled for a moment before gesturing to the TV.
"You want to watch the movie with both of us," I said.
Staz nodded. Dante reached out and rubbed Staz's back, offering him a smile.
"Sure, Staz," he said.
Staz looked at me. "Jude I'm...It made me happy to see you."
"I wanted to spend Halloween night with you," I said, kissing his cheek.
Staz smiled. "I'm happy you're my boyfriend."
I smiled at him and lightly squeezed his hand. We turned our attention to the movie. The alcohol had put me in a buzzed enough mood to tolerate being around Dante, and Dante seemed determined to keep Staz in a good mood by not picking a fight with me.
When the movie was over, Staz tugged on my hand and I got up. Staz led me downstairs and into the kitchen, going over and cutting three slices of apple cake. He offered one to me and the other to Dante.
"I want you to try it, Jude!" he said. "I helped make it."
I took a bite and nodded. "It's good Staz. It's really good."
He smiled proudly. He poured apple cider for all of us and we took the food and drink up to his room. Dante started the movie over again, and Staz seemed perfectly happy to watch it again. I wondered how many times he'd seen it tonight. If Dante was annoyed, he didn't show it.
Staz took my hand again as I ate the apple cake. Dante resumed rubbing Staz's back.
So the three of us sat together in Staz's room and watched the movie. Staz kept his hold on my hand, but leaned towards Dante as Dante continued rubbing his back.
I smiled a little and turned my face to hide it. It wasn't the way I usually spent the night, but I was glad this was how I got to spend it this year.