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One glance around the stands showed there to be not one smiling face, but I decided to play stupid.“What do you mean?”
The incredulous expression he gave me in response almost had me laughing out loud, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from doing so.
Coach Farlay stepped up to the lottery cage and, honestly, if I listened really hard I could hear the sound of the death march playing quietly in the background.“It's time to select this year's mascot.”Unlike the pep rally, and the seeking of Victory, Coach sounded sullen this time, no doubt because he might very well pull out his own name. When Coach started to turn the lever, spinning the ballots in that caged ball, it was the only sound in the room. As he selected a card, he hesitated a moment before pulling it from the cage and lifting it to read. He fumbled with the slip as the entire gym leaned slightly forward and inhaled, holding their breaths until he whispered, “Sebastian Ross.”
Realizing he wasn't the doomed one, he lifted the paper over his head and shouted, “Sebastian Ross!”
Everyone jumped to their feet cheering because they had been spared. I looked over at Bastian, but quite suddenly he turned those teal eyes on me and I saw the wheels turning.
“Why do I have the sense that you are somehow behind this?”
“Because you are smart and handsome.”I leaned a bit closer, “Payback is a bitch.”
He just sat there stunned and I watched as it dawned on him just how far I had gone to get even with him.“You rigged the lottery?”
My evil grin gave him the answer. He responded by grinning back, one so devilish it had mine looking almost angelic.
He whispered,“I know exactly what you've just gotten me into and now, my love, the gloves are most definitely off.”He leaned into me and kissed me hard on the mouth. He strutted down the stands, a man seemingly unconcerned about the horror that awaited him in just a few short days.
Despite his nonchalance, dinner that night was a solemn affair. Mr. Wright and Caden continually threw sympathetic glances at Bastian. Me, I was having a hard time keeping from laughing out loud. I couldn't wait, I knew it was mean and heartless, but I just couldn't wait to see Bastian, my inked and ridiculously sexy Bastian, as the Spring fair mascot. I needed to make sure I brought my camera. Hell, I should do his portrait and send that off to the state art show.
My jubilant mood didn't go unnoticed, especially by Bastian.
After the Wrights disappeared into the kitchen to start the coffee, I said, “I heard it's going to be a bit chilly on Saturday, which is good news for you, Bastian. Nothing like being overly warm.”
He eyes speared me from across the table. A grin curved the one side of his mouth.“As I recall, you know quite a bit about being overly warm.”
I held his stare and replied sweetly,“I do, yes, but I dare say there won't be any chance of that happening on Saturday.”
He placed his fork down and when he spoke it was downright sexy.“You sure about that?”
Poppy stood to head us off. Her parents were in the next room, after all.“Help me clear the dishes, Lark.”
Standing to join her, I saw the wicked gleam in Bastian's eyes,“You all rightbeautiful, you look a bit warm.”
I stuck my tongue out at him, then disappeared into the kitchen because, damn him, I was feeling warm.
***
The day of the fair arrived, and with it my victory. A Victory for him, and a victory for me. That seemed fair. When we reached the fairgrounds, I noticed my uncle had come with the twins. They had their friends with them and I could tell my uncle felt a bit overwhelmed. When he saw me, he walked right to me and pulled me in for a hug.
“How are you doing?”
“I'm good, better.”
“Good. I know you have people to talk to but if you ever need my ear, I'm here.”
Tenderness filled me—he was outside of his comfort zone, and yet still he offered.“I appreciate that, thanks.”
It was then he realized that Bastian wasn't with me. “Where's Bastian?”
“He's the spring mascot this year.”
An uncontrollable ick face crossed over his features.“Poor Bastian.”
***
The only way in to the fair was through the entrance, currently blocked by a red ribbon. Bastian, as the mascot, needed to greet the crowd and cut the ribbon to kick off the fair.
