Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Luka
Bells chime announcing my arrival as I push through the heavy glass doors with a little more force than necessary to find the room chock full of friendly faces. More like nosey gossips, if you ask me. Fuck, why does everyone in this town have to be so involved?
Of course, the whole town shows up to hear who’s taking the lead for this year’s annual Phantom Festival.
With our family’s company so integral to the community, Kingsley Industries has always elected a festival chairman from within. That job is usually reserved for my middle brother, Roman—he’s the one that has the right attitude and charm for shit like this.
But after putting it on for several years in a row, and since no one else is exactly lining up to volunteer to take his place, we decided the only fair way to choose this year’s chair was to put it to chance.
So, thirty-six hours ago, my brothers and I settled it the most civilized way possible: a rock, paper, scissors tournament.
Naturally, I dominated.
Jett came in dead last.
So you can imagine my confusion when, approximately one hour ago, Roman dropped the bomb in our family group text, announcing me as the head of the festival committee.
Talk about getting blind sided.
I don’t know what the hell happened, but I don’t appreciate them switching it up on me at the last minute, that’s for damn sure. No one in the town takes me seriously as it is, and they really think putting me in charge of the most important fundraising event of the year is the best option?
I need to know whose shit list I landed on to deserve this type of torture because if I’m going to suffer, I’d at least get my money’s worth.
Honestly, I blame my oldest brother, Leo. If he hadn’t drawn so much attention to the event last year, then there wouldn’t be such big shoes to fill. And now he’s fucked things up for everyone.
Okay, so maybe he didn’t exactly fuck things up by falling in love and planning the most successful Phantom Festival this town’s ever seen…but he didn’t have to set the bar so goddamn high.
I do hope he’s drowning in all the pussy he’s getting for following his girlfriend to the other side of the world so she can chase her dreams. Especially since his decision came immediately after he was named the new CEO.
Seriously… I wouldn’t mind if he suffocated in it just a little…just enough to scare him, shake him up from time to time…
This kind of thing is totally out of my wheelhouse, and I know everyone in this room feels the same way.
I’m the fourth-born son of Frank and Mary Kingsley, CTO of Kingsley Industries—only because I’m wicked smart and equally lazy, a powerful combination in the tech world.
I also happen to be the only Kingsley with a criminal background.
I’m a twenty-five-year-old tech guru—the lazy gamer nobody takes seriously unless they have a computer problem—and the most apathetic of the bunch. I know my place, and I know what I bring to the table…and leading a group of volunteers for the largest charity event of the year is not one of them.
It’s not that I don’t care about the town or raising money for charity, I do care about those things and want this event to be a success.
I just don’t share the same drive to achieve as the rest of my family.
Good enough has always been enough for me.
I don’t get caught up in chasing perfection or childish fantasies.
Not anymore.
Irritation flares in my chest as those pretty hazel eyes flash through my memory. I clench my fist at my side. It’s been eight fucking years, and of all the nights for her to waltz back into town, it had to be this one.
Impeccable fucking timing.
Idle chatter shifts, thinning into hushed whispers as I move through the room, making a beeline straight to Roman.
His smile grows wide when he sees me. “Glad you finally showed up.”
“Sorry, I’m late. I didn’t want to come,” I scoff. “What the fuck happened, dude? You know I won fair and square.”
A smug smile tugs at his lips as he claps me on the shoulder. “Exactly. I wasn’t expecting you to fight so hard for it, but you’ve earned this honor. Congratulations, little brother.”
My mouth falls open, and I glare daggers in his direction.
Roman just laughs and gives my shoulder another pat.
“Oh, were you under the impression that we were fighting to not take the lead?” He leans in, voice low and smug.
“You really need to start paying better attention. You know, I think this is going to be good for you. Maybe we should’ve put you in charge years ago?—"
I slap his hand off my shoulder like I’ve just been electrocuted. “Fuck off. You knew what you were doing. You assholes set me up.” My eyes scan the crowd until they land on Jett, and I give him one more silent plea. “Please. I’ll do anything you want!” I mouth, clasping my hands in prayer.
He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, exaggerating his silent words, “No way.” Then, with a mocking smile, he offers two enthusiastic thumbs up.
I bite my lip and shake my head. The sight of my broodiest brother acting so uncharacteristically goofy almost makes me crack a smile, but when Roman clears his throat and asks everyone to find their seats, I’m quickly cemented back to reality.
Realizing my protests are useless, I shove my clenched fists in my pockets and step aside, allowing Roman to kick off the meeting. Let’s just get this over with.
“Welcome, everyone,” he begins, flashing his signature dimpled smile. “I’m sure you’re all excited to hear tonight’s announcement, so let’s jump right in, shall we?
“As you all know, the popularity of the Phantom Festival has grown exponentially, and our goal is to continue that explosive success to make the biggest impact possible. So, this was not a decision that was made lightly.
“After a lot of thought and careful consideration, I am pleased to announce that this year’s Phantom Festival will be led by none other than…our very own Luka Kingsley!”
Gasps of shock and whispered disgruntlement fill the silent room while Jett provides the sole clap of encouragement.
Well, damn…tough crowd. I wasn’t expecting a parade or anything, but a guy could use a little enthusiasm…
“You can’t be serious!”
“Is this a joke?”
“All right, all right, let’s all settle down. There’s no need to panic, I promise you’re in good hands,” Roman, says as he taps the gavel to get everyone’s attention.
“Do you really expect us to be happy about this? Is he even qualified?”
“Is that even legal?”
I snap my eyes toward the back of the room, and judging by the way everyone’s glaring, it could have been any one of them who made the comment.
Not that it really matters. It’s obvious they’re all thinking the same thing.
“No offense, but are we sure that’s the image we want to portray? I mean…do you think businesses will feel comfortable associating with a criminal ?”
“All right, everybody, calm down. My brother is more than capable of putting together a successful event, and you all know his past mistakes have nothing to do with his leadership or organizational abilities.”
“What about Inn? In order to accommodate the town’s growing needs, I’ve had to close for the renovations and expansion. If we screw this up, all of the lost months of income and costs to expand could be sunk!” Colleen calls out, using a folded flier to fan herself.
“Last year, Miss Ivy set a certain expectation . Do we really want to disappoint everyone by dropping the ball?” Big Dan, the owner of Auto Shop, asks, not even trying to hold back his glare.
“Trust me, your balls are safe in my hands,” I assure them, but my joke doesn’t even get as much as a snicker. Instead, the room falls silent as everyone exchanges worried looks. Except for Jett, who’s watching the whole thing with wide eyes and the closest thing to a smile his face can muster.
Roman cuts his eyes at me and not so subtly elbows me in the ribs.
“What he’s trying to say,” he says with a tight smile, “is this is a team effort and while Luka is technically the new chairman, your voices are just as important.” He taps the gavel again, this time more for show.
“Now, why don’t we spend the rest of our time focusing on something productive.
Let’s open it up. Does anyone have any ideas? Feel free to shout them out.”
“Maybe keep him away from the historical buildings,” someone else calls out.
“Unless they need a new coat of paint,” another voice adds, followed by a ripple of laughter.
I shove my clenched fists into my pockets and rock back on my heels, trying not to look bothered by their digs.
Would it even be a town meeting without my past being thrown in my face?
After all these years, you’d think I’d be used to it, but the truth is that it still catches me off guard at times.
It’s not that I really care what these people think of me… Hell, half the time, I benefit from it. I like keeping a low profile. I like knowing that no one expects more of me. The bar that they judge me by is basically underground, and that suits me just fine.
It means nobody bothers me or expects me to do anything more. And despite being part of the most influential family in town, I have the privilege of carrying zero guilt.
Everyone already assumes I’m a fuck up. Might as well enjoy all the perks.
But I’m only human, and I’d be lying if I said that there weren’t moments where I wish I could wipe the crimson stain off my name and start over. Not just for me, but for my family too.
I’m almost relieved when the bells above the door chime, giving everyone something else to focus on.
Until I see who just walked in.
A wave of gasps and surprised murmurs sweeps through the room—noticeably different from the reaction I just received a few moments ago—as everyone realizes who has joined us.
“My goodness, is that who I think it is?”
“Well, would you look at that. Our favorite hometown girl has finally come back.”