Page 138
Right as I ask, he walks through the back door in his security vest.
He stops when he sees us all staring at him and snaps, “I’m not wearing a stupid fucking costume.”
“That is literally what I said,” Brawley replies.
“Clay,” Vero says, batting his lashes, and I hold in my laughter.
“No,” Clay replies, not allowing room for argument. But no isn’t what Vero wants to hear.
“It’s just for one night. For Kayla.”
Clay looks at me. “Still no.”
“Not even some cute cat ears . . . for me?” I pout and mimic Vero’s lash batting.
Clay shakes his head. “You won’t change my mind.”
“Okay,” I say with a shrug. “But just so you know, Brawley is wearing devil horns, and if he can do it . . .”
“I did not agree to be used as a benchmark,” Brawley grumbles with a scowl.
Vero pulls something out from behind the counter and holds out a simple black mask, smiling sweetly at Clay. “That counts,” Vero insists.
Clay takes it but doesn’t put it on.
“I will go get dressed,” I tell them.
I leave them in the kitchen and run upstairs, grabbing the cat ears I got from the gift shop yesterday to wear at the bar for the nights I work, and put on a black pair of jeans and a black sweatshirt. Then I add a black button nose and whiskers using my makeup.
When I’m done, everyone is waiting for me. Vero smiles at me and nods approvingly of my cat outfit. He opens the front door. “After you, my lady.”
I step outside and everyone follows behind me.
The island at dusk is beautiful, and kids’ laughter echoes around us even from this distance. I can’t wait to see it in action.
As we walk toward the chaos, children are dressed up and running around with their parents chasing behind them. When we reach the cornfield, Cave is standing frozen at the outer edge.
Vero stops beside a child staring up at the scarecrow and does the same.
The child looks at Vero.
“Disturbing, right?” Vero says to the child, who looks about ten.
The kid nods, and they stand there together for a few seconds.
Suddenly, Cave moves. Vero jumps back, and the kid runs off screaming.
I see the shadow of a smirk on Cave’s lips before it vanishes. He nods at me, and I nod back before he steps back into the cornstalks and waits for more children to come past.
I really love this place; I have never felt more at home anywhere else.
Vero grabs my hand and pulls me into him, then leaning down, he whispers in my ear, “I still think he is a freaky fucker.”
I catch Brawley watching us, and he shakes his head.
We follow the main path down toward Sideshow Alley, Vero pulling me along, excited by everything he wants to do as if it’s his first time here. I love his enthusiasm; it actually makes me love him more.
The smell of popcorn fills the air once we get closer, and Vero picks up the pace. Sideshow Alley is lit up and loud, with every stall open and people lined up. Vero makes a beeline for the ring toss, letting go of my hand so he can move faster.
