Wyatt

"Check it out," Ari says, whipping an object from beneath his jacket. It's an Edward Cullen figurine.

WTF?

"Since when did you start playing with dollies?" Nash croons, suppressing a chuckle.

"It's not mine, asshole," Ari growls, scowling. "As if you didn't know that. It's from your girlfriend's collection, idiot. I thought it would help us shop for Wyatt here, since he's going as Edward." He slaps me on the shoulder, handing me the doll that I don't want anybody to see me holding.

"Umm, thanks," I manage, eyeing the pasty toy, and cringing at the words 'going as Edward'. If this doesn't exemplify my level of devotion to B, I don't know what will...

The guys and I are at the local Goodwill searching for my Halloween costume. The Harvest Festival is tomorrow night, and the whole school will be there, dressed to the nines for the shindig. It's an annual event that usually happens when we have our bye weekend—in other words, there's no football this weekend, so it's time to party hard. What better excuse for a party on a non-football evening than Halloween?

A lot of couples choose matching costumes, but Colby thought it would be more fun for us to surprise each other. What she doesn't realize is that she's an open book to me. I know she's gonna go as Bella Swan from Twilight. She's been obsessed with the books and the movies for as long as I can remember.

My girl is gonna be stunned when she sees me though. I know she'd never expect this level of participation from me, as I usually go dressed as a football player. Creative, I know. After the years of separation we've just miraculously come through, I find myself wanting to impress her. We're not wasting any more time.

"Here!" Ari shouts, pulling a gray, double-breasted wool coat from the rack we've been combing over. It's a near-perfect replica of the coat on the scary doll I'm concealing in my hand.

Ari pulls the jacket from the hanger, handing it to me. I reluctantly shrug it on over the dark t-shirt and black pants I went shopping in for authenticity purposes. I'm immediately met with snickers from my comrades when I turn to face them. Nash pulls the Edward doll from my hand, holding it up next to me.

"Dude, you're twins!" he declares, laughing heartily at my embarrassment.

Do this for her, dickhead...

I sigh, nodding and making peace with my humiliation. For her, I would do anything. Even dress up as a damn vegan vampire.

We head to the checkout lane, Ari and Nash having already purchased their costumes well in advance. Leave it to me to shop at the last minute.

Really, it's a wonder that I'm doing any of this at all. Going to the Harvest Festival is typically something I enjoy every year, even despite the years' long estrangement between B and me. It provided an opportunity to relax and kick back, without the looming threat of a football game. No pressure.

This year is different. It's been one hell of a week for not only me but B and Wynn as well. Needless to say, the rumors have been flying all week long, courtesy of Lana and Morgan. As soon as Colby revealed that Morgan had seen Wynn and me at the clinic, I knew we were in for it. Those two are the queens of gossip, and a supposed friendship with Wynn is nowhere near enough to keep their lips sealed. They freakin' live for scandals.

So now here I am, the presumed baby daddy of Wynn's child.

I agreed to take the heat for Wynn at Colby's request, giving her a little time to process and think through what needs to be said to Cole. Not gonna lie though, the whispers and stares have been getting under my skin. Even Amanda from Spanish one is treating me as untouchable.

Hell, maybe this rumor is a blessing after all...

And really, I can't complain. The firestorm I've faced this week has been nothing compared to that of Wynn and B. Wynn has been called every name in the book, and I've gotta hand it to her. She's handled it with dignity and grace. She's neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, choosing instead to take the high road and stay above it all.

B has been a rock star, pointedly ignoring all of the losers telling her how pathetic and desperate she must be to stay with a man whore like myself. Yep, it's been a long week. I'd do it all over again, though, if it can bring even a little dose of calm to Wynn's turbulent circumstances. The reality of what she—or they, rather, are facing is unfathomable to me. Yet, she perseveres.

We leave the thrift shop, my gray wool prize in hand, and hop in my truck to go grab some dinner. When we roll up to my favorite burger joint, Nash is giving me the play by play of the next day's plan, to include both boys and Mari coming to my place to help me prep for my big debut.

"Mari's a whiz with makeup," Nash continues, and I cringe. He's completely oblivious to my discomfort.

Scratch that. He's probably enjoying it.

"Makeup?" I groan. "Why? I want to be identifiable, that's all. I have the clothes, and that should be good enough."

"Nah, man, that just won't do," Nash snickers and Ari joins him, shaking his head.

"I have a surprise for you," Ari adds. "It'll make your costume totally kick-ass and tolerable."

What did I get myself into?

...

It's four-thirty, and I'm dutifully awaiting Nash, Ari and Mari's arrival in my get-up. I watch as they pull into the driveway, exiting Ari's truck with bags filled with goodies to ensure my utter mortification is complete.

Only then do I fully appreciate their appearances. I can't stop laughing.

Ari's dressed as the Jolly Green Giant in a moss toned unitard that he's sewn leaves to in the form of a loincloth. His face is painted the color of spinach along with his hair, and he's shod in emerald elf shoes. It's a lot of...green, but his costume is spot on.

Kanye West, also known as Nash, follows closely behind wearing a white blazer, gold chains, and shades. He walks with a swagger like he's been practicing for weeks. The knit shirt beneath his blazer is filled with holes, which I can only assume is part of the Kanye persona. His costume is made complete with some drawn-on stubble under his nose and around his mouth, undoubtedly Mari's handiwork. Hell, she is good.

Bringing up the literal rear of the party train is Mari, sporting the impressive behind of Kim Kardashian. Clad in pearls from the base of her neck to the underside of her jaw that look like they just might strangle her, a shimmering strapless black gown, and gloves that reach her elbows, she is the spitting image of Kim K. Her hair appears to be tied in a knot atop her head, and the junk in her trunk sways with every step. I find myself wondering how she was able to buckle into her seat with that booty.

I have tears in my eyes by the time we all pour into my bedroom. My friends have outdone themselves this year.

"C'mon Wyatt!" Mari chirps. "We don't have much time! Sit down, so I can get to work."

I plant myself on the edge of my bed, while she busies herself opening various jars of goo. She plasters my face, hands, and neck with white paint, while Nash and Ari chat about the various attractions at the festival. Ari makes his way toward me with a bottle of something sinister in his hands—hair gel.

"Shut up!" he says before I've even opened my mouth. This damn kid knows me too well. "You've gotta have legit Edward hair. Don't forget to add sideburns," he mutters to Mari. He squeezes a palm full of smelly gel into his opened hand, going to work on my hair.

"Close your eyes and hold your breath," Mari says, holding a palm full of sparkles before my face. I comply just in time, the confetti pelting my face and neck as she blows it toward me.

"Wow," Nash says. "You two are like some sort of cosmetological dynamic duo."

I glance in the mirror, something I do as sparingly as possible, and can't believe my eyes. I'm one fine lookin' sparkly-ass vampire.

"One more thing. My surprise," Ari says. He holds out a set of red contact lenses.

"Hell yeah!" I grunt. "This means I'm a real bloodsucker!" I put the contacts in, scratching my eyes half a dozen times before they're in there right. It was worth it though. Colby's gonna lose her mind.

"I got something for you too, sis," Ari says, pulling out a champagne glass. "Lemme glue this on that shelf you call a butt."

...

I parted ways with my makeup crew, heading out to pick up Colby and Wynn from B's place. Before I even have a chance to knock on the door, it flies open.

"Edward Freaking Cullen," Colby swoons, flinging her arms around my neck and covering my face with merciless kisses. "I can't believe you did this!"

I'm initially taken aback, as her hair is a deep shade of brown. Still, I'd know my girl anywhere. "I figured Bella needed a proper date," I say, twisting her freshly dyed locks around my fingers, and raising my eyebrows. "This is commitment to your character."

"It's not permanent, doofus," she says grinning, and I detect an enticing shade of pink peeking through the layers of white makeup and sparkles shielding her skin.

Damn.

"You're beautiful," I say quietly. She's dressed in simple clothes: just a basic zip-up over a spaghetti strap, with a pair of black slacks. Her lips are cherry red though, matching her eyes. Matching mine.

She stretches upward, bringing her lips to my own, her body melting into me. I run my hands over the length of her frame, taking in every curve until they land on the flare of her hips—one of my favorite parts of her incredible body.

"Get a room, geez!" Wynn screeches from behind me. "As if I'm not nauseous enough already."

Reluctantly, I turn from Colby, only to take in the scantily clad form of Wynona. She's dressed as the playboy bunny version of Regina George from Mean Girls, a movie Colby had me watch no fewer than one hundred times.

I give a low whistle. "Hell, Wynn, as your presumed baby daddy, I don't think I should let you be seen in public like that. You're missing some fabric down there and...up there," I say, indicating her from toe to head with my index finger.

She scowls, waving a hand over her waist, and I know I'm in trouble. "See here? This is about to be the size of a watermelon, but right now it's flat. I'm gonna show off while I still can. Now let's go so I can shake what my mama gave me before I become a mama myself."

Oooookay...

I can't argue with that.