les liaisons dangereuses

Marriage was never something Vivian had ever even considered. She was the opposite of Knox in that respect. Sure she’d had a string of boyfriends, but none had every amounted to anything over than a broken hard. Meanwhile her brother seemed to crave that type of relationship - although admittedly his attempts weren’t always successful. “Do I really strike you as the settling down type, Knox?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. “I’m married to work, and that’s really all I need to be to be successful.” Maybe it’d be nice to feel looked after, but it wasn’t necessary. Although if she was honest, she was enjoying whatever was going on with Harry. She couldn’t let anything like that on though. “If they do exist, it’s hardly going to be in Frostford. The calibre of the men here is decidedly low. I don’t think any of them would know how to compete with my working hours either.”

It was a foreign concept to him, that anyone would not want to settle down. Perhaps it was the way their parents had practically beaten it into his head from a young age, but there wasn’t much Knox wanted more. But maybe his sister was right, and it wasn’t in the cards for her. He’d heard rumors that not everyone was the marrying type, but if anything that was bad for Viv’s business. He shrugged, moving to settle back in the pool chair. “You deserve to be happy. Maybe you should let yourself. That is all I have to say about it. If you are truly happy alone, then I have no problem with it either way.” And that was true; all he cared was that Vivian was content. “That is true. But the city isn’t terribly far, surely there could be a catch or two there. And it would make them conveniently located for work. A nice lunch date or plus one for work affair,” he suggested.

Joel took his personal items from the officer without so much as a thanks as he followed Knox out of the holding block. He relaxed when Knox reassured him he wasn’t going to tell anybody about this. Especially their parents. He didn’t need a half drunk lecture from their mother or threatened to be cut off again from good ‘ol Dad either. Joel would have preferred to avoid the two of them for as long as possible. “Good to know. Everyone will find out eventually considering things can’t be a secret too long around Frostford.” Joel looked at his brother seriously as he spoke. He wanted to tell Knox Georgia wasn’t like this. She was a good girl, but he stopped himself. How stupid would it look if he said that even though Knox just bailed him out of jail because of Georgia. “Noted. I won’t get caught next time.” He paused. “If you need anything, let me know, okay?”

Knox only gave a curt nod to the officer who let them out, the man was one who was kind enough to him, he figured he deserved at least an ounce of attention, and Knox was very good at playing pretend. “I can assure you the arresting officer won’t speak about it.” He didn’t offer why he was so certain of that. “But you’re right, it is bound to come to light. But maybe mother will be too preoccupied by then to even notice, you know how she is.” Knox smirked at his brother’s promise, half-hoping it was true, but already planning to assign one of the junior associates to Joel in case a situation like this happened to crop up again. “It will be taken care of,” he assured him. “But don’t become Lucas. One felon in the family is plenty.”

“She’s learning,” he insisted. “She’s practicing and with practice, you get better. I’m sure by next year, she’ll have the best pie there.” He hoped, at least. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything to Knox. He didn’t want to embarrass Elsie or make her feel like he was making fun of her. This was definitely going to be a good thing. Not just for the community but for Lucas. He needed something good to focus on after everything. And this was really the kind of thing that Lucas loved doing: helping others. “Oh, wow, so fancy,” he commented as Knox handed over a business card. Lucas had his own, definitely not in a nice box like the other man. “Yea, I’ll definitely send over everything I work on, man.” 

“Maybe, but I’m not sure that’s a pie anyone is going to want to try.” Or maybe that was just his trust issues talking. He released a small chuckle; he could not recall anyone ever calling his cardholder fancy, in his line of work it was fairly common. “Alright, I’ll plan to hear from you soon then? Maybe we will grab breakfast or something next week and discuss next steps.”

Knox’s worry was clear, almost radiated off him as he sat across from her. She gave him a gentle smile as he spoke before nodding a little. “I’m sure the only reason she would hide anything from you would be that it was barely something to talk about and even then she’d ended up telling you later down the road.” Her words repeating from before as she leaned forward on her desk, resting her forearms as she linked her hands together. “I know and I don’t mind. I know our conversations are usually related to work but I consider you a friend too, Knox. A close one at that, regardless.“ Aurora offered him. “I’m always around if you want to talk. I know you’ll usually go to Vivian but the offer is there if you ever need it. My door is always open.” She paused as her smile grew a little wider. “Unless you’re on one of your rampages, then it is definitely not.”

Aurora seemed confident, but Knox remained unswayed. The two girls were friends, but Knox knew his sister like the back of his hand, and he could tell when something more was going on than she was letting on. He offered her a genuine half-smile, a big step in relationship with Knox Abernathy. He was not a particularly affectionate person, and certainly not with his words, but he nodded. “And same to you.” It wasn’t much, but it meant a lot, and he figured Aurora knew him well enough to pick up on that fact. Lately he was seeing Vivian less and less, which caused him some concern, but he may be taking Aurora up on that offer more than she anticipated. “The only wrath worse than my own is my sister’s, so trust me, I know better,” he assured her. He finally stood up, figuring it was about time for him to actually get to work. “Let me know about the intern situation,” he told her, one foot out the door already.

“I appreciate your vision, well wisher,” she smiled, nodding as he spoke, her brow furrowing as she kept the details straight. “Damn, first time living in the same city and y’all are already shacking up? No judgment. I had to subtly test my roommate over time to see if we were a good match, much less marriage material. I’d take her out to dinner and listen to her chew. Took her to the store once and asked her what roast of coffee she liked to see if I could mooch. All the best to y’all, of course. Just sounds a bit hasty. What do I know, though, huh?” Plucking out the flowers he requested, Fiona fashioned them, adding little bits of her own details before lacing up a notecard on the fixture. “I’m sure your gal is reasonable and will love whatever you write and bring her. I’m sure she’ll love your family too. Even if they’re nuts. Everyone’s got a couple of…. Special characters at their table.”

“I have a big house,” he says with a shrug, as if that simple answer solves the problem. His parents hadn’t been in the same room for over three hours, and they managed; and though rationally he realized Dick and Karen were far from the models for the perfect relationship, he still used that as the basis for his belief that everything would be fine. “That is a lot of dedication.” Maybe if Knox committed to that amount of vetting, he wouldn’t be on fiancée number five. He grinned like he appreciated the sentiment, and maybe it would even be true with a handful of his exes, but not with Bonnie; she expected perfection. And the one person to deliver it to her on a silver platter was Knox. “That may be the only time anyone has implied the Abernathy family could be lovable.” And with good reason.

Harry was never a fan of the Abernathy’s. Maybe it was because he felt they were spoiled and rich, a belief he had a hard time shaking. Dana was nice, she somewhat changed his mind, but Vivian, she was the person that made him feel differently. No matter how close Viv and Knox were, though, he felt like it was impossible to ever be friendly, or even civil with him. He was a snake in Harry’s eyes, especially when he walked around with such a sly smirk on his lips. “That’s funny, really. So where’s Vivian? She does all the work, anyways. Is that why you’re always so angry, you have to ride on her coattails?” He wondered aloud, shaking his head. “They come to me because they want someone they can trust. And who cares about them. I know it’s crazy to imagine what it would be like to possess empathy, I hope someday maybe you’ll find it. Along with an ability to win your cases.”

The mention of his sister’s name caused the smile to immediately fall from his lips – if Knox had a kryptonite, it was his sister. “Don’t talk about my sister,” he told the other man, an edge to his tone. It was not often that Knox allowed his mask of apathy to slip, but this was a carved out exception to that rule. He didn’t address the insult, he didn’t need to; the profits from his firm spoke for themselves. Knox scoffed. “No one gives a shit about empathy, they want someone who can win. You’ve been in this business long enough, old man, I thought you’d know that by now.” In Knox’s experience, it was true. He’d met with a number of perspective clients who liked their current counsel well enough, but they wanted someone ruthless, who would dismantle the other side even if they didn’t care about the client personally – winning at whatever cost had become a staple for Abernathy and Associates. “That must be why you stick to criminal law. Can’t imagine anyone would want to come to you for a divorce, seeing as how you couldn’t even be successful with your own.”

“Karen would never hit you, Knox. You’re the golden child, the chosen one, her first-born son,” Vivian gave a small laugh at the thought. There was a time in her life when she wanted nothing more than her mother’s attention, but that had grown old fast. She couldn’t care less about her now. “Only two steps ahead? Slacking, Knox. It’s like a chess game. You’ve got to be at least five moves ahead to make sure you have the upper hand.” Despite her comments, she and Knox both knew that she saw him as an equal. He was perhaps the only person that she respected in that way, save for maybe Harry - although she wouldn’t mention that to her brother. But Bonnie? Only time would tell whether Knox’s assessment was correct. Until then she would play nice for the sake of her brother’s impending marriage. “Making a scene from the beginning? I mean the town would expect nothing less from an Abernathy wedding. Much more on brand than Luke’s… But yes, probably best you leave Bonnie to do it. There’s a reason I took on certain decisions when we built these houses.” She paused for a moment, sitting back on the pool lounger. “I’m glad you’re finally getting married. Nobody will ever put any pressure on me to do it now.”

Vivian was right, and Knox kind of hated that. It was a paradox, certainly, to both want nothing more than your parent’s attention and favor, and yet despise them all the same; Vivian was the only one who understood the complexity of his relationship with their parents, and although different, he knew the same was true of hers. For a man who was often enigmatic even to himself, he was grateful for Vivian, the only person who understood him without the need of thorough explanation. He grinned. “Yes, of course. Five, six, even seven – that’s what makes us good at our jobs.” And life, in his estimation. “I have completely lost confidence that any of our other siblings would manage to do our family name proud – it’s all on us.” Knox had reached that conclusion ages ago. “I think this one may actually take.” He turned to look at his sister, trying to read her beyond just her words – she could be as calculated with them as he was, but her eyes couldn’t lie. “You really don’t want that? To get married, settle down? With someone worthy of you, of course. Though I can’t hardly believe that such a person exists.”

“It’s not an insult, it’s an observation,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest. Did she think her brother was actually getting married? No, not really. Mostly because he was insufferable, unlovable man who was the equivalent of a rat. But she wouldn’t say that just yet. “I’ll bring Asher.”

“Bonnie is different.” Surely his family could see that? This was not some Frostfordite who’d grown up with tales about the evil Abernathys – this was someone who could gives as good as she could take, a woman with breeding very similar to their own. “Fine,” he replied, not even knowing who this Asher person was – as if he kept up with his sister’s relationships, especially when he’d been long gone from the family home by the time she was dating. He would mention the name to Bonnie and let her vet him. “But I mean it, none of the dramatics that seem to follow you.”

Big change of heart? Maybe. Not that she would admit that out loud. She just wanted to fix things. With her and her siblings. With all of her siblings together. She shrugged, eyebrows furrowing together with a small chuckle, “Do you actually use the word peasant in a conversation like this often?” She kinked an eyebrow up, “Seem hesitant there about the love part? What’s going on, Knox?”

It was as if his siblings had suddenly collectively forgotten they come from money. “You know what I mean,” he told her, clearly put out with the implication. Even if it were true. It wasn’t a question whether Knox had a superiority complex – he unequivocally did – but he tried to keep it undetectable most of the time, the exception being in the presence of his siblings, who he thought should understand. He sighed, really not wanting to have this discussion with Dana, or at all really. Knox had endured enough failed attempts at love to last him a lifetime; he now recognized that a successful relationship, especially in this family, required more. “Love isn’t everything, Dana. For people like us, it’s not even the most important thing. That’s all.”

Ace’s brows rised and fell, there was not point in doing small talk and pretending they got along just fine, that probably worked with other co-workers but not with Ace, he knew Knox enough to know that if he was at the station, there was just one reason and that wasn’t a friendly catch up. They hadn’t done that in years and since Ace returned to Frostford it became obvious it wouldn’t ever happen. “Right, of course he does.” His voice dripped fake concern, even his features matched as he frowned. Ace rested his crossed arms on the desk and waved a hand. “Alright, you got the request form, I imagine.”

It was hard to imagine a time when these two would have boasted about being friends, but not only were they on opposites sides of the good fight, but Knox was not a quick forgive Not that drifting apart as the two of them had should have warranted an apology from Ace, but just because an apology was unwarranted didn’t mean Knox didn’t expect it all the same. “I do,” he replied with a fake smile spread across his features. “But I just thought I might put you on alert. This isn’t the first complaint about this officer. You all may want to watch yourselves. A few more complaints and it could result in a civil suit,” he said with a shrug, his tone light like he was trying to help, but really he was just using the fact as a dig.

lyla: The whole thing was a mockery.

lyla: Unbelievable.

lyla: Did you see the way people were behaving?

lyla: If it weren't for Bonnie and I, the whole thing would've turned into an episode of Bachelor in Paradise.

lyla: Aren't there some sort of public indecency codes?

knox: I missed a lot of the action, I was doing more behind the scenes

knox: But I got an earful from Bonnie

knox: I'm surprised you expected anything less, the people in this town mate more than rabbits, it was bound to happen

“All me, they deserve no credit.” She said with a gentle laugh. Rayleigh wasn’t normally so social, but the ale had eased that stick up her behind and let her relax for once. “He deserves it, clearly. He definitely could use a good dunking. Maybe I’ll have to buy him a few drinks and then conveniently trip on the lever.” 

“I have similar feelings about my family.” It was a joke, but considering who his family was, maybe it wasn’t as much of a joke as he played it off to be. “It might take several ales to get him drunk enough to agree to it. You know how high his tolerance is. But still may be worth the effort.”

“Understandable, in the morning,” she says with a polite smile. She’s always been a morning person, but a little sugar or caffeine for an extra push never hurts.

“Good to meet you too, Knox.” A unique name like that sounds familiar, but Willow doesn’t involve herself in gossip, so she has no idea where she might have heard it before. “You you’re a local, then? Born and raised?” Given that the line is still a ways ahead of them, she makes some quiet small talk. “We must run in real different circles. What do you do?”

“Yeah, I try to get out the door before my fiancée even gets up so she doesn’t have to witness it.” Which wasn’t so bad before he had to stop for his own damn coffee. He would stop at Aurora’s office today to see about hiring a second intern, or maybe a runner, an assistant, anything. “Unfortunately,” he says it as a joke, but it’s anything but in reality. Knox has never been particularly fond of Frostford, but the small town roots would play well if he ever decided to turn his career to politics. “I’m a lawyer,” he tells her. “I don’t remember you from school, we must have been in different grades. I was gone several years to college and grad school, work in the city now, and work occupies most of my time. What about you, what do you do?”

“You’re not one for banter are ya? See this is the part where you insult my happy-go-lucky attitude and how I’m probably naive or how my big smile doesn’t necessary set me apart from the average Frostford brunette and I’m not as different as I think I am.” Joni teased. “Or something along those lines, I don’t know.” She gazed around the room sort of wishing she’d chosen a different victim to pick on until he suddenly spoke again. “I do come here often. Not in a sad and pathetic drink my sorrows away here every night kind of way. I frequent just about everywhere in this town often.”

“I try not to insult people I only just met. I guess that makes me bad at banter,” he smiled and shrugged, trying to play off that he just wasn’t all that good with first encounters. And maybe, to a certain degree, that was true. Knox was very careful around people, guarded but pretended not to be. It was a delicate dance, and light-hearted back and forth was not a move he had mastered. “I do not have a YA quote in my back pocket, but I think you have a nice smile.” He grinned, not much able to relate, but perhaps if he was a different man with a different family, that would be him too. “That’s got to be less pathetic than drinking away your sorrows at home alone, right? In which case, you’ve got me beat.”

Joel rolled his eyes and chuckled at the image of Delilah demanding actual food in a holding cell. “A lapse of judgement on my part.” He didn’t bother to check if they were in the clear when he broke in. He was more concerned about Georgia and impressing her. The judgment in Knox’s voice caused the younger Abernathy to look away from his brother. “Yeah, it is.” He looked back at Knox. “Thanks. I owe you one.” He chuckled. “I promise, this will be the last time I get caught. It was just a mistake and won’t happen again.” He paused before continuing,” Thanks for coming out and getting me out too.”

Knox was surprised to hear how Joel ended up here on both counts. On the one hand, he was the sneakiest son of a bitch Knox knew, which was saying something, and was also a reason he found to respect the younger Abernathy. And on the other hand, the kid was rich and handsome, why the hell did he feel the need to break into the pool after hours to impress her? Girls that require that much work were hardly ever worth the payout, in Knox’s experience anyway. But he was not the kind to give a lecture, so he just waited for the officer to open the bars and handed his brother his personal items. “Don’t worry about it.” Joel was useful enough to him that he would not hold a grudge or remind him of past favors n exchange for future ones; besides, he did have a bit of a soft spot for the boy. He needed at least one brother he liked. “I won’t mention this to mom and dad. Or any of the other siblings. Except Vivian may find out, and I’m sure you will tell Dana, but they won’t hear it from me.” They began the walk out of the station. “But a word of advice? Girls that land you in this kind of trouble aren’t girls who are well-suited to our way of life.”

“Look at him,” Annie murmured, subtly –or not so subtly, gesturing towards where the man sat. “He looks way too miserable for her aunt to be conspirin’ against him. That guy’s got a face that says both his dog ‘n his wife have been ripped away from him. –I dunno the reason… There’s rumors flyin’ ‘bout her running off with some man from Mobile.” 

Without making it obvious that he was staring, Knox took the opportunity to look in the direction Annie was gesturing, taking in his appearance and mood. “You’re right, poor guy definitely has the look.” Knox knew the ‘I just lost my woman’ look all too well. “Left him for a city slicker from Mobile? Can’t say I blame her. You heard about how he lost all that money gambling last month on the casino boat? Guess things have gotten rockier since then.”

“Yeah, as if you’re actually makin’ down the aisle this time.” Delilah rolled her eyes. She’d seen her older brother engaged about a dozen times at this point, and by now, she just felt sorry for him, as if he’d actually make it to the wedding day. “But fine, I’ll pretend, for your sake. I already know how I’m bringing.”

Knox rolled his eyes at her comment. “What a completely original insult.” Yes, Knox was on his sixth engagement – this was not news to anyone. After failed engagement number three, it had become a running joke, but Knox never did find the humor in it. “I’ll make sure we have extra security, just in case.” He lifted a brow. “And who is that?”