Page 18 of Fright Night
I barely spare her a glance. “Never said she isn’t. Said she deserves to do so much more of it on her own terms.”
“Knox.” Her tone tinged with embarrassment, so I turn towards her, fencing her in with my legs.
“Tell us all the truth. Do you still want to go to school and eventually open your business, or you happy to be City Hall’s future mayor?”
EIGHT
OAKLEY
Oh my god,oh my god, oh my god.
What thehellis he doing?
What the hell is he doinghere?
What the hell is he doingspeaking?
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
No amount of glaring is working. He doesn’t recognize that my expression is attempting to shut him up and stop digging this hole.
Yes, working at City Hall isn’t my endgame, but it pays the bills and the role involves some of my dreams, so it’s fine. Yes, I’d like to open my own business rather than follow Henry into politics. Yes, I hate being influenced by him.
But none of that is Knox’s right to comment on.
His hand, which still rests on my thigh, grips tighter. His own legs bracket mine, forming an intimate position that leaning away from only gets me so far due to the chair.
One of my hands is still wrapped around the Halloween-themed macchiato Knox ordered. A drink that with my every sip Mom looks ready to combust. She used to demand I limitmy eating but when moving out, without her insistent nagging, I’ve been able to eat and drink whatever I crave. Unfortunately, when out with them, old habits return.
He knew that, though. It was one of Knox’s most redeeming qualities. I can’t count the number of times he gave me food that Mom wouldn’t approve of, just to see me eat something better than her pre-approved diet plan.
On more than one occasion, during a drive home from school, he’d pull into a burger joint for a snack, offer me food I’d turn down, order a chicken burger since he knew I didn’t enjoy beef—despite him preferring it—eat half, and then give me the rest when claiming he was full. Which I always ate.
Or the number of times he’d drop food off at my table at lunch in school. Sometimes it was snacks tossed into my open locker as he walked by.
He’s always been trying to get me to eat. To follow a path different than our parents pushed me on, and it’s clear that’s what his presence here today is for too.
Henry’s stare burns into my face and by the way Mom shifts in her seat and seems to be looking anywhere but us, they both know what my answer will be.
“Uh…well, planning Halloween’s event has been a great experience. Christmas will probably be even better. It’s a good portfolio for the future.”
Henry coughs. Every time I bring up one day leaving the job, he acts uncomfortable.
Knox’s eyes burn brighter, his hand squeezing my knee. He hasnoright to put me in this position, but I always was a shit liar. Good enough to get a cop to believe me, but not enough to make our parents do the same.
“Well. Maybe I’d entertain business school one day. It could teach a few decent skills to bring into your future work in City Hall.”
In other words: as mayor, but he refuses to explicitly state the words, always only hinting at it.
Also, not all businessmen make good politicians—but it’s a moot point to make when Knox clicks his tongue at his father, looking anything but appeased.
“You’re a fucking asshole.”
“Knox,” Mom hisses, his name trailing on the X. “People can hear you…”
“And you don’t want them to know how the good mayor treats his family? We’re not fucking pawns for him to control.Sheis her own person.”
Oh god, get me out of here.
