Page 9 of Fright Night (Twisted Holidays #3)

EIGHT

OAKLEY

Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.

What the hell is he doing?

What the hell is he doing here ?

What the hell is he doing speaking ?

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 limit my 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 has no right 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. She is her own person.”

Oh god, get me out of here.

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 ma?tre 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.