Page 105 of In The Dark
“You too, J. Thanks again for being so understanding.”
“I do have a heart, you know. No fighting tonight. I’d like to close out the season without any more paperwork, so if you could keep your hands to yourself, that would be great.”
“Tell that to the people shotgunning two beers in line,” I yell after her, laughing when she flips me off.
The first forty-five minutes of a scare shift always pass in a blur. The adrenaline of the night is still in high gear. The guests aren’t belligerent. I have all my energy, and when there’s a brief lull in the line because someone is too scared to move forward in the previous room, I chug the rest of my water so I don’t pass out.
“Excuse me,” I hear from behind me.
“This is a backstage area. Guests aren’t supposed to be—” I whip around, freezing when I spot Max standing there in a leather skirt and orange top. It’s the same outfit she wore the first night we met, and I gape at her. “What are you doing here, baby?”
“I’m lost.” She glances around, her hands on her hips. I grin behind my mask, taking two steps toward her. “Could you help me find my way?”
“That depends. What are you looking for?”
“I’m not sure yet. But I like this.” Max motions at my outfit with a coy smile. “Especially the mask and knife.”
“This is a nice surprise.” I sweep her off her feet, holding her in my arms. She giggles and pushes my mask to my hair, touching my face. “The best part of my night.”
“Really? Because it’s the worst part of mine,” she teases, and I pinch her ass. “I wanted to say hi. So. Hi.”
“Hi, angel. Everything okay at the house?”
“Yeah. I just missed you. Oh! I also brought you a little gift.”
“Is it a pair of your underwear I can keep in my pocket the rest of the night?”
“You havenomanners.” Max swats at my chest and I set her down. She reaches in her purse and pulls out a small box. “This is for you.”
“Are we celebrating something?” I ask, ripping off the tape. “If so, I need to get you a gift.”
“No. We had a Halloween fair at school earlier this week, and when I saw this, I thought of you.”
I lift an eyebrow, intrigued, and open the box. Inside is a small Michael Myers figurine, complete with a mask and knife. I laugh and rub my thumb over the paint, bringing it next to my face. “What do you think? Do you see the resemblance?”
“Without a doubt.” She grins. “Okay. I should go. Skyler’s show starts soon, and she’s the real reason I dragged myself through all this scary shit again.”
“Hey.” I take her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist. “Thank you for coming by.”
“See you later, Michael. And Happy almost Halloween.” With a wink, Max saunters back to the line, but she turns to look at me over her shoulder. “Oh. By the way. Is that a knife in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”
I burst out laughing and hold up my hands, making a heart in her direction. “You, Maxine Wilder, are the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“Right back at you, biker boy.”
She disappears back into the crowd, leaving me alone. She might be gone, but I can still feel her everywhere. In my hands, in my heart.
“I love you,” I say, and I swear I hear her say it back.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Max
“Happy Halloween!”I bound into the kitchen, frowning when I see Hunter standing by the sink, not dressed in the costume he said he was going to wear. “Why aren’t you ready? We’re supposed to meet up with Janey in an hour to go trick or treating. Bailey is going to be very disappointed if you don’t come dressed as her favorite Barbie.”
“Change of plans. We’re making a slight detour, then I promise I’ll put my costume on. I’m going to rock the shit out of workout Barbie.” He grins and bends to kiss me. “It won’t take long.”
