In Love With Him

Chapter 29

Kennedy’s POV

The mall was packed like it always was on Saturdays before Halloween. Kids were screaming, music was blasting from the speakers in the food court, and every third person was carrying bags full of candy and plastic tombstones. But for once, I didn’t mind the chaos. I needed the distraction.

After everything that happened with Dominic… I just wanted to forget.

“Alright bitches,” Marty announced dramatically as we stepped into the costume store. “Let’s slut this up.”

Finn giggled, spinning in a slow circle as he took in all the racks of glitter, leather, and latex. “This place is heaven. Trashy, plastic, possibly flammable heaven.”

Marty beelined for the police section, immediately grabbing a tight navy-blue romper, a plastic badge, and fishnet stockings. “I’m going to arrest so many feelings.”

Finn gasped, spotting a sparkly cane that looked like it belonged in a pride parade or a Vegas show. “Yesss! This is going to pair perfectly with my sequin blazer and rainbow pants. I am going to look like a fever dream.”

I laughed under my breath and slowly walked over to the superhero section. My fingers trailed over the rows of costumes until I found it—Harley Quinn, Injustice 2 edition. The black and red pants, the cropped leather jacket, the smirk on the model’s face—it was perfect.

Not too revealing, but still edgy and bold. Like the version of myself I wanted to be.

“I think I found it,” I said, holding it up.

“Oooh, she’s hot,” Marty said, peeking over my shoulder. “Definitely the ‘I’ll stab you but make it sexy’ vibe. I love it.”

I smirked and nodded, heading to the back of the store where they had all the accessories and makeup. I found the white hairspray easily, but it took some digging to get the pink and blue ones. I was crouched down, reaching to grab the last blue can when I heard her voice.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Saint Kennedy.”

I froze.

Of course she’d be here.

I slowly stood, clutching the hairspray in my hand like it was pepper spray, and turned to see Amber standing behind me. Her arms were crossed over a skintight red devil costume she was already holding against her body, and her signature smirk curled on her glossy lips.

“Didn’t think they sold costumes for snitches and whores in the same aisle,” she said sweetly.

I rolled my eyes. “What do you want, Amber?”

“Nothing,” she shrugged, taking a slow step closer. “Just wondering if Liam knows the school charity case is tagging along to the dance. Didn’t know the captain of the football team did community service.”

Her eyes flicked over my costume. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”

My jaw tightened. “f**k off, Amber.”

“Aww, touchy.” She fake-pouted. “Just trying to help. Wouldn’t want you embarrassing yourself again at school.”

“Say that again,” I said, stepping closer.

Amber raised an eyebrow. “Why? You gonna break my nose again, freak?”

Before I could say anything, Marty appeared out of nowhere like a feral cat ready to throw hands. “You okay, Ken?” she asked, eyes locked on Amber.

“I’m fine,” I said through gritted teeth.

Amber smirked. “Of course you are. Just don’t trip on your heels trying to keep up.”

Then she turned and sashayed away like she didn’t just leave a wake of venom behind her.

Finn appeared next, carrying a glittery feather boa. “What did I miss? I felt the tension from the wigs section.”

“Amber,” Marty and I said at the same time.

Finn rolled his eyes. “Of course. What does she even want anymore? She’s like a mosquito that drinks insecurities instead of blood.”

I managed a breathy laugh, but my hands were still shaking as I checked out. Amber’s words echoed in my head. I hated that they got to me. Hated that a part of me wondered if she was right.

Was I really some pathetic hanger-on Liam was entertaining?

I clenched my jaw and followed my friends out of the store, Harley Quinn costume in one hand, and a storm of confusion in the other.

But if Amber thought she was going to ruin this dance for me, she was dead wrong.

---

The week dragged and flew all at once. Every day felt like I was holding my breath, waiting for the next awkward run-in with Dominic. But I didn’t let it happen. I made sure of it.

If he came into the kitchen, I walked out. If we passed on the stairs, I looked at my phone or acted like I forgot something in my room. I didn't give him a single opportunity to talk to me. Because I didn’t know what I’d say if he did.

I was afraid I’d either scream at him… or cry. Or worse, kiss him again.

Friday finally came, and by the time the school bus turned onto my street, my heart was already racing.

I bolted as soon as the doors opened, ignoring Max teasing about me, I didn’t even stop at the mailbox—I just ran.

Up the front steps. Through the door. Straight up the stairs.

I slammed my bedroom door behind me and exhaled hard. I needed this. I needed tonight.

I opened my closet and pulled out the garment bag with my costume inside. I laid it on the bed, unzipped it carefully, and stared at it for a moment. The black and red leather pants gleamed under the light. The matching cropped jacket, bold and edgy. It was just like Harley’s Injustice 2 outfit—dark, chaotic, and powerful. Everything I wasn’t… but wanted to be, just for one night.

I slid into the pants, tugging them up and smoothing them over my hips. They were snug but flattering. The red leather corset underneath clung perfectly to my body, and I left the jacket open. My reflection already looked different.

Stronger.

Then came the makeup.

I stood in front of my mirror and started with the white powder foundation. Pale. Porcelain. Then I carefully traced a sharp wing of black eyeliner on each lid, darkening it with smudged black eyeshadow to add that gritty, dramatic look. My lashes looked darker than ever. My lips were next—dark cherry red. Bold. Messy. Unapologetic.

I tied my hair into pigtails, one high on each side, then picked up the white hair spray. I misted the color all over, coughing slightly when some got in my mouth. Then came the fun part—pink on the ends of one pigtail, blue on the other. I grinned. Now it felt real.

I adjusted the pair of copper-rimmed goggles, sliding them up onto the crown of my head like a headband. They rested perfectly against my sprayed pigtails.

Then I looked in the mirror one last time.

I smoothed the front of the jacket, tugged the hem of my pants, and tilted my head.

“Too much?” I whispered to my reflection.

But the girl looking back at me didn’t feel like too much. She felt... fierce.

I gave myself a half smile. One that barely held back all the nerves and chaos underneath.

Then I heard it—Marty and Finn’s voices downstairs yelling my name.

I turned off the bathroom light, grabbed my phone, and ran down the stairs, heart pounding like a drum in my chest.

It was time.

---

Dominic’s POV

I sat on the couch, trying—really trying—to focus on the MMA fight playing out on the screen. Fists flew. Blood splattered. One guy was about to get choked out cold. Normally, I’d be completely locked in, maybe even shouting at the TV. But tonight? My mind was elsewhere.

All week, she’d avoided me.

Every time I opened my mouth to try to explain, Kennedy found a reason to disappear—suddenly “forgetting something” in her room, brushing past me like I was invisible. Door slammed. Conversation over. I didn’t blame her. I kissed her. I kissed her. And then I had the nerve to call it a mistake.

But the truth was—ever since I got a taste of her lips, they’ve been all I could think about.

That kiss—her lips, so soft, warm, and sweet—played on repeat in my mind like a song I couldn’t stop humming. I wanted more. Hell, I craved more. The memory of it burned through every part of me.

Then, chaos blasted through the front door.

I looked up in time to see Kennedy race up the stairs like a damn firework, barely a blur as she flew past. I blinked.

Then the real circus came in a few moments after.

Marty strutted in dressed as a sexy cop. Not bad—tiny girl, didn’t quite fill the costume the way it was probably meant to be filled, but she wore it like she owned it. Then Finn... My God. Rainbow coat, sequins, a glittery pimp hat, and a bedazzled cane. The kid looked like Pride Parade collided with Vegas.

They were laughing until their eyes landed on me.

Instant death stares.

I tried to offer a sheepish smile, maybe ease the tension, but they weren’t having it. Marty looked like she wanted to stab me and Finn gave me a once-over so dramatic I actually felt judged.

Marty cupped her hands and yelled toward the stairs, “KENNEDY!”

Then I heard it. Footsteps. Light, hurried.

And when she appeared—my breath caught in my throat.

Holy s**t.

She was... Harley Quinn.

But not some cheap Party City version. No, she looked like she walked straight out of Injustice 2 and into my living room. Tight black and red leather pants that hugged her hips in all the right ways. Matching cropped jacket. Pale makeup. Smudged black liner that made her eyes pop. Cherry-red lips. Her hair in pigtails, white with pink and blue tips, goggles perched on top of her head.

She looked badass. Sexy. Untouchable. Like trouble in leather.

And I couldn’t breathe.

My heart pounded like I’d just gone ten rounds in the octagon.

“Holy s**t, Kenny,” Marty gasped, bouncing on her heels, “you look like a whole ass baddie! Liam’s gonna be begging you to call him Daddy by the end of the night!”

Jealousy boiled hot in my gut. I clenched my jaw so hard I felt it in my temples.

Right then, Mom walked in carrying laundry. She stopped dead and let out a little gasp. “Oh wow! Look at you, sweetheart! You look amazing! Whoever your date is, he's a lucky young man.”

She turned to me. “Don’t you think so, Dom?”

I was still frozen.

Lucky? Lucky? He wasn’t lucky. He was a tool with a football and too much cologne.

I nodded once. “Yup. Very lucky.”

Plain. Simple. Safe.

Then the knock came.

I practically leapt over the back of the couch, getting to the door before Kennedy could even move.

I yanked it open.

And there he was.

“Zombie” football player. Blood dripping from fake cuts on his cheek. Jersey slashed, shoulder pads sticking out, and reeking of enough Axe to choke an elephant.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

“You must be Liam,” I said, forcing a smirk and stepping aside. “Come in.”

Liam nodded, stepping in like he owned the place. I tried not to visibly gag on the smell of whatever high school locker room cologne cocktail he was marinated in.

Then he saw her.

His jaw dropped. Speechless.

Figures.

Kennedy adjusted the strap on her jacket, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention, but Liam couldn’t stop staring.

I couldn’t stop staring.

I didn’t like this guy. Not one bit. I could see it all over him—he had a plan. He saw her now because she looked like this. Not before. Not when she wore oversized sweatshirts and messy buns. He didn’t deserve her.

“Alright, kids,” Mom called from the hallway. “Be safe! Have fun!”

And then, they were out the door.

I stood there, my fists clenched at my sides, watching them disappear into the night.

I wanted to follow them. Watch him like a hawk. Make sure he didn’t try anything.

But I didn’t move.

Instead, I stared at the empty space where she’d been, the echo of her cherry-red smile still haunting the air.

And all I could think was...

He doesn’t know her. Not like I do.

And he sure as hell doesn’t deserve her.