Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jason
Every year my brother threw a banger of a Halloween party at his house.
As we were scheduled to play a home game on the holiday itself, it meant this year’s event had to happen the night before.
I loved these parties. Ever since I was twelve, coming here—or to any gathering at Theo’s house—cemented my love for his family and the realization that my dad was lacking in all things parental.
I suspected my father had been invited tonight, but he usually declined because seeing his ex-wife, my mother, reminded him of his bad behavior.
I wouldn’t miss him, but it was nice to see my mom.
I waved at her. Looked like she was dressed as a witch. Classic.
The first person I ran into was Conor, but not the Conor I knew. He wore a very tight yellow sweater cropped to reveal his abs, along with skinny jeans that looked like they might burst at the seams any second.
Then there was the make-up.
“What’s happening here, Connie?”
“Tonight, it’s Jinu. K-pop boy band member by day, soul-eating demon by night.”
Landon appeared behind him, similarly dressed but with a glossy pink wig.
“This some pop culture thing I know nothing about?”
Landon grinned and flicked his hair dramatically. “I’m Romance. That’s the character’s name, but he’s got an evil streak. Well, they all do because, demons.”
“Pity you didn’t consult with us beforehand, little bro.
” Adeline appeared, wearing hot pants and a long, sleek purple wig.
She kissed my cheek. “We’re the stars of the show, Huntr/X.
” She pointed at Rosie and Summer over by the mantelpiece, who were similarly dressed in bright wigs but with slight variations on their outfits.
“Which show?”
“K-pop Demon Hunters! We’re the demon hunters. These guys are the prey.” She flicked a thumb at her brothers.
I had so much to learn.
“You’re … let me guess. Carmy from The Bear?” My niece grinned. “Love it, Uncle J.”
At least someone recognized me. Looking around, I spotted Squid Game players, a couple of Deadpools, Rick and Chelsea from The White Lotus, and people in what looked like teddy bear costumes.
I later learned they were Labubu, another pop culture sensation of which I was completely unaware.
I would be a father soon, and I needed to up my game.
No sign of Francesca. I expected she would be here as she had come last year. I was trying not to get all Daddy Dom, but I needed to talk to her.
I did a walkthrough, stopping to chat with teammates and Theo, dressed as Mark from Severance. His Helly was off chatting with her bestie, Jordan Hunt, who had come as Glinda in Wicked.
My brother hugged me. “Some great blocks in that last one, J.”
“I’m sure you have notes.”
“Me? Nah. I’m not going to Monday night QB it. You’re doing it your way.”
I truly wished we could have played on the same team, but now my hope was to honor his legacy. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted someone in a schoolgirl uniform with braids, but when I turned, she was gone.
“… and he asked me for tickets, but I said he should talk to you.”
“What’s that?”
Theo frowned. “Dad. He wanted tickets to the game tomorrow for him and his cronies.”
That was why he’d left a couple of messages. There I was thinking he was calling to congratulate me on my play.
“Kind of late.”
“That’s what I said, so he called Hatch and got some that way.” Theo looked like he wanted to say something.
“Go ahead.”
“I know he’s a jerk, but he’s still your father.”
I reared back. “You’re taking his side?”
“Dude, there are no sides. So he handled it all wrong, but it was years ago. Maybe try to get along to go along. There’s Ezra and Liam to think of.”
If only they didn’t come with the baggage of Dad.
“I’m going to get a drink.”
“Sure. Knock up some Italian beef Sammies while you’re at it, will ya?”
Right. My costume. I grinned and headed on my way.
I ran into Elle, aka Helly from Severance, sporting a red wig and a blue top and pencil skirt.
“Lookin’ good, Ellie K.”
She chuckled. “So great to see you, Jason. I was talking to Jenny, and she was telling me all about Sean’s new girlfriend.”
I wasn’t really interested in Sean’s new girlfriend, except for the fact her existence kept my brother on a short enough leash he never once thought of saying yes to Franky. A great outcome for me. So yeah, hooray for Sean’s girl.
“Hey, have you seen Francesca?”
“Franky St. James?” As if there was a different Francesca.
“Yeah, I need a word with her.”
“She was here earlier with Tilly. Maybe the back garden? They like looking at the snails after it’s rained.”
That made me smile, though I had to lose it quickly because Elle gave me a funny look. I headed out back, and there they were, both hunched over the wet path that wound its way through the yard. Speaking in hushed tones, they didn’t hear my approach.
“See this shell—that part of it is called a lip. That tells us if its fully grown or not.”
“Like tree rings?” Tilly asked quietly. She was so smart. She had a purple wig on with a long braid similar to Adeline’s.
“Sort of, but not so precise. Smoother shells usually mean adults and ridges usually mean babies. But remember what I said about touching them?”
“Don’t, because I wouldn’t like it if someone picked me up without permission.”
Franky nodded her approval. “Correct, we don’t do that. Plus, they carry diseases.”
“Hey there,” I murmured.
“Uncle Jason!” Jumping to a stand, Tilly grabbed my thigh and held on. “We found a snail!”
“That’s cool. So, not sure we’ve met before. Who are you again?”
My niece frowned. “It’s me. Tilly.”
“Oh, I thought you were a … demon hunter! Fought any bad boys lately?”
She stood back and took a martial arts stance. “I’m Rumi and I’m going to get patterns all over my body!”
“Patterns mean she’s half-demon,” Franky said.
“Like Rumi.” My niece nodded enthusiastically.
“Tilly, we’re going to do the apple bobbing!” Elle’s voice rang clear through the night.
“Wait for me!” My niece took off, her purple braid swinging behind her.
And speaking of braids … I’d been right when I sensed this woman’s presence earlier. She was dressed as Wednesday Addams with braids, a school uniform, and black lipstick.
“A naughty schoolgirl?” I asked even though I doubted the doc would go sexy on purpose.
“The skirt should be longer, but I had to use Rosie’s costume. She went as a too-sexy Wednesday three years ago when the character was last popular.”
The skirt was pleated, schoolgirl uniform style, and looked so hot on her. The combination of prim braids with the skirt that showed off her legs—albeit in dark tights and clodhopper shoes—had my dick stirring behind my apron.
“And you’re … a chef?”
“A specific chef. Carmy from The Bear. It’s a TV show about a restaurant.”
“I see. And you know about K-pop Demon Hunters?”
“Are you kidding? I am so down with what the kids are into. Haven’t you heard? I’m gonna be a dad.”
“Ah, so the rumor is true.”
“Sure is. You’re giving snail tours?”
She smiled. “Tilly’s interested so I thought I’d show her the ones that like to come out after the rain.”
“Show me.”
She blinked. “You want to see the snails?”
I want to see them through your eyes. “Educate me, Doc.”
“Okay.” She hunkered down, which sent her skirt riding up along with my dick. Heh. Still a horny teenage boy at heart. The backyard security light shone on a brown-shelled snail sneaking along the path.
“This is your typical garden snail, Cornu Aspersum, which means ‘spotted horn.’ It’s rather plain and ubiquitous but exhibits many of the characteristics we associate with snails.”
“Such as?”
“First, the shell, which is protective and has three to four whorls. It also has a foot, hence its classification as part of the genus gastropod, which means ‘stomach foot.’ They use this appendage to inch forward, leaving behind a mucus trail.”
I listened to her speak, loving her enthusiasm about this most commonplace of creatures.
“So this is a hermaphrodite?”
“Most species of snail are. It’s an evolutionary adaptation that ensures their continued success.
Of course, people think these ones are pests and work to eradicate them because of the damage to plants.
But they’re mostly harmless in a garden like this.
” She turned to me and placed a hand on my bare bicep. “You must be cold.”
“Not really.”
“It’s not the first time you’ve appeared half-naked outside.”
Inside, too. And hardly half-naked, but I was wearing short sleeves. Gotta show off the guns, and if it drew certain hands to reach out and touch …
“Guess you have that effect on me, Francesca.”
She stood. “Let’s get you to some place warm.”
I pulled myself upright. “Perfect. I’d like to talk to you in private, too.”
She opened her mouth—I assume, to object—so I stepped in and placed a finger on her lips. “I want to hear about the doctor’s visit, and I’d like to plan how we’re going to manage this with all the family members around.”
She grasped my hand and pulled it away. “We probably shouldn’t be meeting in the dark like this. I don’t think anyone would buy your cover about snail education.”
So droll. “Meet me upstairs in Adeline’s room, second door on the left.”
“If I must.” Very Wednesday.
I gave her a moment to head inside, then followed. Unfortunately, I ran into Conor again, who halted my progress.
“Were you talking to Franky just now?”
“Yep, what of it?”
My nephew reared back, as if struck. Such a drama queen. “Uh, pretty sure you two are sworn enemies.”
“That would be you and Rosie.” Listening to those two in the same room together was enough to give anyone an earache. “I get along just fine with the good doctor.”
Conor crossed his arms over his too-tight crop top. “The good doctor? What’s going on here?”
“Maybe I needed to get to know her a bit better. Anyone who can spend time showing a kid some backyard wildlife can’t be all bad.”
My phone buzzed, and I checked it, expecting a message from Franky. This message was from my dad. He had sent photos of the boys: Ezra was a skeleton while Liam wore a Transformers costume. Behind them Nick stood with a vampire outfit while Paige was dressed as a nurse.
I was far too old to let this bother me, but every time he checked in like this, I was reminded of the Halloweens I went without him, the holidays he spent with his new family, and the shit he had pulled at every turn.
One more thing came to mind, with a thumping drumbeat: I will not be like you.