The bass pounded through Hughie Biggs’ house, rattling the windows like it wanted in on the party. Halloween at Hughie’s was always chaos, but with it being his birthday too, the chaos had doubled. Costumes, booze, and sweat-drenched laughter filled every corner.

Joey Lynch leaned against the wall in the kitchen, his cap tilted backward, trying to ignore the conversation happening right next to him.

Alec Dempsey, Podge Kelly, Johnny Kavanagh, Gibsie, Patrick Feely, and Hughie himself were all crowded around, voices raised above the thumping music.

“Jesus Christ,” Alec muttered, his eyes fixed on the dance floor. “Would ya look at Harley Quinn over there?”

“Don’t even start,” Gibsie said with a low whistle. “She’s bloody unreal. Whoever her Joker is, he’s a lucky bastard.”

Joey’s jaw flexed. Her Joker is me, you gobshites.

“She’s something else,” Johnny added with a grin. “Wonder if she’d dance with me if I asked.”

Patrick laughed. “Not if I got there first, lad.”

Joey slammed his drink down a little too hard. “Shut it,” he snapped, his tone sharp enough to cut through the room.

The lads all turned, eyebrows raised.

“What’s crawled up your arse?” Podge teased, smirking.

“Nothing,” Joey muttered, though his blood was boiling. His eyes drifted past them, toward the living room.

Jiji.

She was dancing in the middle of the crowd, her blonde pigtails swaying, the black and red of her Harley Quinn costume hugging every curve. Her makeup was smeared just right—wild and perfect, just like her. She twirled, laughing, and Joey swore every lad in the room was staring at her.

He’d been fine keeping their relationship quiet up until now, but watching them drool over his girl was enough to make his head spin.

Joey shoved away from the wall, ignoring the curious looks from his friends. He stalked across the room, threading through the crowd until he reached her.

“Joey?” she asked, surprised when he appeared in front of her.

He didn’t answer. He just grabbed her face, pulled her close, and kissed her.

The crowd erupted.

A mix of cheers, gasps, and whispers spread like wildfire. Joey didn’t care. His hands were on her waist, her fingers clutching his shoulders, and for a moment it was just the two of them—Harley and her Joker.

When he finally pulled back, Jiji’s lips were parted, her eyes wide.

“Joey…” she started, glancing around at all the staring faces.

He smirked, brushing his thumb over her cheek. “Let them look. I’m not hiding you anymore, Jiji.”