Page 19 of Fright Night
Like the universe listened, Knox jumps out of his seat, grabs my hand, and pulls me along with him. I barely have time to glance over my shoulder at Mom and Henry, who are fuming, while nearby tables actively try not to be obvious about their curiosity.
“Knox!” I pry at his fingers around mine as he pulls me past the maître d’ and out the double glass doors. “What the hell?”
He releases me and shoves his hands into his pocket, only to pull out a pack of cigarettes and light one. He paces a few steps away to stand downwind. “You’re welcome. Why do you let them walk all over you?”
“I don’t.”I do.
“Yeah, you really do. You know how fuckin’ worried I was that you’d be half-starved to death while I was gone? I had friends look in on you from time to time and send me pictures.” His eyes slide down my form, pausing by my hips. “Good job making yourself look human and not like their puppet.”
My cheeks heat. Dealing with Knox generally requires attitude and a rigid spine. “What do you care about what I look like or the job I work at?”
“Because Dad’s an abusing asshole who throws his weight around ’til we all fall into place. It’s ridiculous everyone lets him.”
Warmth spreads through my stomach…because he’s not wrong. “He didn’t tell Mom or me that you’re home.”
“Yeah, well, that was our first face-to-face interaction. Although I didn’t tell him I was coming back, not much in this town gets past him. At least, I don’t give a fuck about his approval.”
“He can’t hit you anymore.” The words slip out before they can be stopped.
Knox swallows roughly, a sense of discomfort passing over his expression. He glances at the ground between his feet and drags his shoe over a small rock. “Not if he doesn’t want a punch in return.”
I eye his arms, toned in his years’ absence, with appreciation. “Why didn’t you ever get him in trouble back then?”
“Probably for the same reason you let him decide your job.” He pauses to take a few more puffs and flicks ash away. “Even when hating the man, I sought his approval, I guess. Being under his roof, it’d only end badly for us all if I told anyone who had the kind of power to help. And he never hurt you or your mom, or anyone else that I knew about. Think it was just his fucked-up way of saying ‘You’ve disappointed me, son.’”
“Still…”
He shrugs. “Why’d you let him force you into that job?”
“Because he got it for me. He said there was no point to school when I was already ‘in’ so I went along with it. I was telling the truth inside; the experience is valuable. Once I started working there and realized his true intentions, I didn’t want to piss him off and give him reason to get mad at Mom or anything.”
It’s the main reason why Julian is still winning too. All about keeping Henry happy…
Knox stares in that intimidating way that makes me feel a few inches smaller and a few years younger as he finishes his cigarette before discarding it in a nearby trash. He tips his head and orders, “Follow me.”
“I need to get to work.”
“I’m aware.” He starts down the sidewalk in the direction of City Hall, maintaining a step ahead the entire trip.
As we approach the building, I stop but he keeps walking.
NINE
KNOX
Witching hour.When the powers between one world and another are the weakest.
Or, so the stories go, if that supernatural shit is to be believed.
Midnight for me is simply the time I return to Oakley’s house for my trick—my torment for her actions.
Although…today had pleasant side-effects too. The other night when I unlocked her phone with her sleeping face, it gave me complete access into her cell to do my own digging. And wouldn’t you know, I found the group text chain between the three of them, where Jill confirmed morning brunch.
I hadn’t planned on interacting with Oakley outside our private one-on-one interactions yet, but it was too good an opportunity to pass by. It gave a giant middle finger to my father, who not so shockingly never told his wife that her stepson is home, and let me stand up for Oakley. Again. Because someone has to if it won’t be her.
Returning tonight is for my amusement, nothing further. The main attraction will be tomorrow evening at her event.
Her house is dark, only the living room front window spilling any light into the place. I step quietly and drop the stack of brochures and paperwork onto her coffee table before heading for the hallway, mask donned.
