I make a garbled sound, and Nate laughs it off, putting his arm around my shoulders as we start moving.
My breath quickens as the floor leaves my view, and instead, I’m looking into the darkness of the night.
Even though I know we’re high up, the stars still look far away, but now so does the ground.
And now you’re looking at the ground.
“Breathe, Hayleigh,” Nate whispers in my ear as he traces circles on my arm.
I take a deep breath and open my eyes.
From up here, I can see Roselake in all its glory, the lit-up shops that are still open, the twinkling lights of cars and streetlamps. Then there’s the fairground, the music reaches usup here, but it’s distant, and although it’s terrifying being this high up, it’s also peaceful.
That is, until the Ferris Wheel grinds to a halt.
“Nate.” I grit the words out.
He looks around, a little panicked. “Uhm, this isn’t planned.” He looks over the side and shouts. “Bert!”
I scrub my hands down my face. “Ofcourse,this had to happen.”
“Okay, don’t panic. Everything will be fine.”
I look at Nate, really look at him and see how pale he’s gone. “Nate, what’s wrong with you?”
His eyes are wide, and his laugh is a little too shrill. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
The penny drops. “Oh my god, Nate. Are you scared of heights?”
His hands wrap around the rail surrounding the middle column. “I may have a slightaversionto heights. Yes.” He closes his eyes as his skin turns a sickly green.
I rub small circles on his back. “Why did you do this if you don’t like heights?”
Keeping his eyes closed, he squeezes them together. “It was on your list.”
My heart melts.
“You’re such an idiot, Nate Peterson.”
He chuckles. “Please don’t tell my brothers. I’ll never live this down.”
I place my hands over his. “Your secrets are safe with me…apart from being the trouser rouser that is.”
His barking laugh sounds through the night as my own joins in with him, and I realise that this man can break my heart if he wants to.
Yet I don’t think he ever will, because he’s the type of man who puts his own fears aside so you can live your dreams.
Chapter 15
Nate
Why did I decide that riding in a Ferris Wheel was a good idea? Why didn’t I pick a different item to help her tick off the list instead of coming onto the wheel of deathafter hours?
Hayleigh rocks the cage slightly as she leans over to look below, and I grip the handle until my knuckles turn white. I do not want to have to walk down this fucking thing.
She sighs and sits back in her seat. “It’s no good. I don’t think he’s down there. Did you do something to piss him off?”
I shake my head. “No! It was a handmade breadbin!”
