38. Dylan

Chapter 38

Dylan

T he cool fall air greets me as I step out onto the porch, wrapping around me like a familiar friend. The light above me flickers, casting a soft glow across the pumpkins we carved earlier this week. One of them is already caving in on itself, but it only adds to the eerie ambiance of the night. I can't help but smile as I look out at my friends, my family really, laughing and talking with beers in hand. They're sprawled across the porch, their costumes slightly wrinkled now, but no one cares. It's moments like these that make everything feel worth it.

I sink down onto the porch swing, tugging at the tight hem of my Harley Quinn skirt as it rides up a little too high. Not that anyone here minds. I glance over at Ford, sitting on the edge of the porch railing with his Thor hammer in hand. He's laughing at something Henry said, his eyes lighting up in that way that makes my heart flip.

"Hey, you okay over here?" Matthew's voice breaks through my thoughts. He's standing in front of me, one eyebrow raised, giving me that look he does when he knows I'm lost in my own head.

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Yeah, just thinking."

"About?" he asks, sitting down next to me on the swing, his arm brushing against mine. I glance at him—his Clark Kent costume still intact, though his glasses are hanging crooked on his nose, making him look more like a dorky professor than Superman mid-transformation. It's adorable.

"Just... life, I guess. How crazy it is that we're here, together. How good things are." I pause, letting the words hang in the air. "It's more than I ever expected."

Matthew gives me a knowing look, his eyes softening. He reaches over, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I get it. Sometimes it hits me too. Like, we're actually doing this. And it's not just working—it's incredible." His thumb grazes my cheek, and I lean into the touch, feeling the warmth spread through me.

"Alright, party people! We've got more trick-or-treaters incoming. Time to put on our best spooky faces," Henry pipes up.

I chuckle, sitting up a little straighter as I watch the small group of kids run up the steps, their costumes bright against the dark night. I grab the bowl of candy and stand, stepping down to meet them. Their eyes widen at the sight of our full-size candy bars, and I can't help but laugh when one of the kids—a tiny Batman—practically jumps up and down.

"Happy Halloween!" I hand them each a candy bar, my heart swelling a little. I always loved Halloween as a kid. The freedom, the magic of the night... I never thought I'd be here, handing out candy with my boyfriends by my side. It's surreal in the best way possible.

Once the kids run off, the porch settles back into its comfortable buzz. Matthew stands behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me against him. I sink into his warmth, resting my head back on his chest.

"You ready for the game next week?" he murmurs into my ear, his voice low and soothing.

The game. I've been trying not to think about it too much, but it's hard to avoid. The scrimmage against Summerview is looming, and the pressure is on. I know I'm good, but Summerview is no joke. They've got a reputation for being ruthless, and if we want to win, I need to bring my A-game.

"I think so," I reply, though my voice wavers a bit. "I mean, yeah, I'm ready. Just... nervous, you know? It's the first big game with all of us together, and I don't want to mess it up."

Matthew tightens his hold on me, resting his chin on top of my head. "You won't. You're gonna crush it, Dylan. We all know it."

His confidence in me is something I never take for granted. It's like he believes in me even when I can't.

Ford joins us a moment later, beer in hand and presses a kiss to my temple, his lips lingering a little longer than necessary. "Don't worry about the game. You're gonna show them who's boss."

I can't help but smile, feeling the weight of their words settling over me like a comforting blanket. It's moments like these that remind me why this works. Why our relationship, as unconventional as it may be, is exactly what I need.

More kids approach and I step out of their embrace to grab the candy bowl. I chuckle to myself as the kids have barely stepped off the porch before more are running up the sidewalk. We spend the next hour or so handing out candy, talking, and laughing as the night slowly winds down. The stars are brighter now, the air colder.

As the last group of trick-or-treaters runs off, Henry turns to me with a grin. "Alright, enough porch time. Let's get back inside and start the marathon. I'm ready to see some heads roll."

I roll my eyes but can't help the excitement bubbling up. "Alright, alright. But first, I'm grabbing a blanket. I'm freezing."

Inside, the house is warm and cozy, the scent of pumpkin spice and pizza lingering in the air. I grab a blanket from the back of the couch and settle in between Ford and Matthew, who immediately tuck me in between them like I belong there. And I do. It's still surreal sometimes, but this is my life—our life—and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

As the opening credits of Jeepers Creepers flash across the screen, I glance around at the people I love most. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. This is what happiness looks like. This is home.