Playboy (The Trident Series II: BRAVO Team #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Gabby and Playboy stepped out of his car, the cool October air filled with the scent of caramel apples, cinnamon, and freshly baked treats. The community Halloween festival was in full swing, and the small town had really gone all out. Laughter filled the air as kids, dressed in costumes ranging from superheroes to princesses, dashed from car to car for trunk-or-treat, their bags and buckets quickly filling with candy.

Gabby smiled as she took in the scene.

“Have you been to this before?” Playboy asked her.

She shook her head as she looked around. Cars lined the main street on both sides of the road, each trunk decorated in festive Halloween themes. Spiders were dangling from fake webs, jack-o’-lanterns glowing, and skeletons grinning from the backseats.

Families milled about, some dressed in group costumes, others holding steaming cups of cider. Off in the distance, the local fire department’s haunted house loomed ominously, a line of brave souls waiting to be terrified.

“This is so cool,” Gabby stated, her eyes wide as she took in the scene.

“The city does an awesome job every year putting it on,” Playboy said with a grin as he took her hand, and they headed toward the center of the action.

“How many people come out for this,” she asked. “It looks like the entire city of Virginia Beach is here.”

Playboy laughed. “It draws thousands of people. And it seems to grow every year.”

As they wove through the crowd, Gabby spotted Bear, Jocelyn, and the kids near one of the cars. Amira was in full “Cattitude Witch” mode, dressed in a black cat costume with a witch’s hat perched atop her head. Her face was painted with whiskers and sparkly purple eyeshadow. Max, on the other hand, was an adorable astronaut, his tiny space helmet bobbing as he ran around collecting candy.

Gabby’s heart swelled as she watched Amira twirl in her costume and Max attempt to fit yet another candy bar into his already overflowing bucket. There was something about seeing the kids so happy that tugged at her. Maybe one day, she thought to herself, glancing at Playboy out of the corner of her eye. The idea of having kids with him and sharing moments like this with their own little ones crept into her mind. Not yet, though. But maybe in a few years. Was it crazy that she was thinking about babies?

They made their way over to the group. The rest of the team was already there laughing and munching on Halloween treats.

Clover handed her a cup of hot cider. She took a sip and felt the warmth spread through her body. It was delicious.

“Ms. Gabby! Uncle Playboy!” Amira’s little voice piped up as she ran over to them. Her witch hat almost fell off as she ran. “Did you see? I’m a Cattitude Witch!”

“We saw! You look amazing!” Gabby knelt down to give Amira a hug. She adjusted her hat before it fell into her bucket of candy. “That purple eyeshadow is fierce,” Gabby told her.

Playboy chuckled, ruffling Max’s helmet as the astronaut held up his full bucket of candy. “Nice haul, buddy.”

The evening carried on in a blur of laughter and sugar as everyone enjoyed the festivities.

Gabby couldn’t help but eye Nails’ date. She was a tall woman and came dressed as a sultry witch, complete with a plunging neckline and thigh-high boots. Gabby raised an eyebrow, thinking it wasn’t an appropriate costume for a family event. But she didn’t say anything, knowing Nails had a habit of picking dates who stood out.

Just as Gabby was thinking things couldn’t get more entertaining, Amira wandered over to Nails’ date, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Are you a thick witch?” she asked innocently.

The woman, clearly caught off guard, blinked down at Amira. “Uh... what?”

“You know, like the thick witch Uncle Nails was talking about. The one who’s gonna ride his broomstick?” Amira asked, her voice dead serious.

Gabby froze, her eyes widening as she fought the urge to burst out laughing. Her hand shot out, covering Amira’s mouth as quickly as possible. “Okay, sweetie, let’s maybe not repeat everything we overhear,” Gabby said, trying her best to stifle a giggle.

Playboy, on the other hand, was doubled over, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. Nails’ date turned beet red, her eyes narrowing as she whipped around to glare at Nails, who looked like he’d just been hit by a truck. “ Your broomstick? Really, Nails?!”

As the woman stomped off, letting Nails have it with every step, the rest of the team was barely keeping it together, shaking with laughter.

“Nice one, Amira,” Playboy managed to choke out between fits of laughter, wiping tears from his eyes.

Gabby, still holding Amira’s mouth, gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head. “Let’s maybe steer clear of Uncle Nails’ conversations from now on, okay?”

“I second that,” Jocelyn said, looking mortified.

As the night started winding down, Gabby and Playboy said their goodbyes and began walking back to the car. Gabby held Playboy’s hand, enjoying the peacefulness as they walked, but an uneasy feeling crept into her chest. It was that same spidey feeling she had the other day at Jocelyn’s house.

She glanced around, her senses sharp, but everything seemed normal. Still, something didn’t sit right. It was like a subtle chill in the air, one she couldn’t quite shake.

“You good?” Playboy asked, his voice soft as he glanced down at her.

Gabby forced a smile, not wanting him to worry. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. “Alright, but if something’s up, you’ll tell me.”

She nodded, squeezing his hand. “Of course.” But deep down, she knew it wasn’t nothing. That unease gnawed at her as they reached the truck. Something felt off, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. But the last thing she wanted was to ruin the night. Not when everything had gone so perfectly.