Page 87 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

She shook her head, her smile growing big. “I had a feeling you’d say that! Hollie is my backup. She’ll take care of my flowers and dress while you’re away. Go get your man!”

Dressed in black from head to toe, heels included, I left as fast as I could, before Mami could notice something was wrong. I needed to talk to High Jynx.

CHAPTER 34

Ivy Jade

Ithink this ride share driver was getting annoyed with me. It took me a few minutes to get into and out of the car properly. My dress was pretty fitted; the laced corset across my chest didn’t give an inch of breathing space. The collar had a beautiful wide neck with lace at its edges, and the tulle skirt that billowed from my waist down gave me enough of a stretch that it wouldn’t kill me—not entirely.

Tallulah bought us all these cute little black velvet choker necklaces. I’d never looked more different than I do right now, yet I was somewhat comfortable in my skin. Except for sitting down, that was a challenge. I ended up lying down in the backseat instead, and yes, the driver did have to come around to my side once he parked. I needed his help.

After purchasing my ticket and trying to run through the turnstile to get in, I looked ahead and saw the sheer horror of monsters everywhere. The crowds were packed, shoulder to shoulder.

I slapped my hand on my neck and collarbone area. Oh, my god! How could I forget my stupid flashing necklace? I looked left to right, and no flashing necklaces were for sale around me.

Fuck it.

I wasn’t sure where High Jynx would be, but I decidedly tried running in the opposite direction of the large Halloween crowds closing in near me. And I tried to skip through the monsters scaring the crap out of everyone. I’d rather not end up at the end of some chainsaw massacre right now.

Think, Ivy Jade. Think.

Backstage, I’d go there first. I bent over to take my heels off, to help with my frantic shuffling—I couldn’t run. By the time I made it there, the door was locked. I jiggled it a few times, but no luck. I circled the small building, trying to find another entrance or an open window. I found another door and pulled on it, but it was also locked.

I rested my back on it, trying to think, but my ability to think left the building. Maybe High Jynx wasn’t here. Why would he be getting ready when it was dark out and the monsters were already on shift?

Luckily, someone came out, and I had to find my balance. I looked down and stared one of the monsters straight in the eyes, and ran inside.

“Hey!” Chucky shouted.

Thankfully, he didn’t run after me with his killer kitchen knife or try to bite my ankles.

I rounded the corner to get to the makeup vanity area. The lights were all on, and it felt less dangerous than outside. But it was eerily quiet.

I took a few more steps in, and there he was… High Jynx. His back turned to me. Hair disheveled. He looked so beautiful there. How had he not heard me coming in?

It looked like he was putting something away into a duffel.

“High Jynx!” I called out.

Right away, he turned around to face me. It was the same High Jynx I came to crush on: black boots, his black slacks loosely fitted, one suspender hanging at his hips and the other hanging from his shoulder; he was shirtless and had no makeup. I’d never seen him without makeup before…

His unruly hair feathered around his cut jawline. He looked surprised, the light leaving his eyes. When he saw me, it seemed to crush him. My heart dropped⁠—

“Romeo?” I asked.

“What are you doing here, Ivy Jade?” Romeo… or High Jynx asked. My mind had a hard time focusing on who was in front of me. Was Romeo really standing there, half heartedly looking back at me, or did I just see who I wanted to see?

“Wait… You were High Jynx this whole time? Why⁠—”

“I fucked up,” his tone was low and bristled. He turned back around to avoid looking at me, and he continued to pack his stuff away. “This week, this whole fucking mess is my fault…”

Comprehending the scene before me was complicated. My stomach twisted into a million knots. It can’t be the same person; it can’t be. I would have known. How?

With a pounding heart, I walked up to him, but he stepped back. A lump in my throat formed as I pulled away. “Why did you lie to me?” I asked, my shaking hands covering my chest.

“I couldn’t trust that you’d come back to me any other way, okay?” he answered, looking down at his bag, twisting the shoulder strap into his hand. “When I pulled you out of that ditch—the way you looked at me, the tattoo on your arm—it all triggered something inside me. I fucking panicked and gave in to the idea that tricking you into liking me was better than being honest, because having you hate me… it hurt too damn much.”

Romeo turned around, leaning back into the vanity, staring at me with those thick eyebrows. How did I not know Romeo and High Jynx were the same person? Maybe it was the burden of knowledge, but it was so obvious now.