Chapter 4

Of course, Troy hadn’t arrived yet. He’d mentioned to Dan that he would be late, so that wasn’t a surprise. But it did allow Dan more time to ruminate on the many ways things could go south. One of his more annoying cousins might show up. Dan could spill diet Coke down his front. Someone might have an allergic reaction to the queso. The festive toilet paper printed with skeletons could clog the plumbing.

Or, worst of all, Troy might not come.

The doorbell rang, and Dan hurried over to see if his final fear could be put to rest. He tried not to breathe his sigh of relief too obviously when he saw Troy on his front stoop. Which was easy, seeing as he’d suddenly forgotten how to breathe.

Like Dan, Troy had gone for a simple costume. Tight jeans, belted with a large silver buckle and tucked into dark boots. Black work shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbow, exposing finely muscled forearms. Perched jauntily atop his head was a black cowboy hat.