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I swallow nervously and hold out the money in my hand to him. “I can’t. Please take it.”
He places the band on my wrist and looks at the money like it’s diseased. “I’m not going to take it, so it’s best you put it away. It’s my treat.”
With a deep sigh, I reluctantly place the money in my pocket. “Thank you.”
He nods and turns to his friends waiting for us by the gate. “Let’s go. What ride would you girls like to go on first?”
I look around to take everything in.
“I think we should hit the fast rides first before we eat so we don’t get sick,” Exie says.
That makes perfect sense. The last thing I need is to throw up in front of everyone. I’ve been to one fair, and it was when I was younger. My parents always encouraged me to go, but I felt guilty about spending the money.
“Okay.”
We walk ahead of Lane, Blake, and Dex. “Told you,” Exie says softly with laughter in her eyes.
Lane is attractive, but I have enough on my plate with Kalum and my personal issues right now. My thoughts go to Kalum, wondering if we’ll run into him. I hope not. I know if I see him with Sarah, it would be the same as walking over a broken glass.
We walk toward the midway rides as the sun sets in the sky, the lights from the coasters becoming brighter. The smell of cotton candy mixed with corn on the cob billows in the air from the tents as we pass by.
The laughter from people riding rides and the generators making a humming noise surrounds us as we pass each concession, ride, and carnival game.
We wait in line, and Lane stands behind me with his hand in his pocket. His friends are talking about their latest build in the shop, and Exie scrolls through her phone. When it is our turn, the ride operator stops me from getting on the ride with Exie.
“I’m sorry, girls, you’ll have to ride separately or with someone bigger. The ride is really fast, and it’s for your safety.” He points at the sign that shows smaller individuals need to go with someone taller.
I’m petite and short for my age, and Exie is about my height. Lane steps forward and places his hand on my lower back. “Exie, ride with Dex. I’ll ride with Aura.”
We get on the ride, and Lane makes sure I’m secure. The ride goes up and swings in the air in a clockwise motion. He double-checks the straps, making sure we are both secure. He places his arm behind me and gets the signal from Dex, signaling Exie is strapped in.
I’m nervous and afraid the gravity will throw me against Lane. I don’t know him well enough to feel comfortable around him.
If it was Kalum, you wouldn’t think like that.I don’t know why I’m comparing. Kalum is at this same fair on a date with his girlfriend. Lane takes off his baseball hat before the ride begins and places it behind his back. His straight black hair is flat and falls over his brow.
“Has anyone ever told you that you look like a Josh Hartnett when he was younger?” I blurt, instantly regretting my thoughts leaving my mouth.
He chuckles. “Sometimes. Is that a good thing or bad thing?” he asks, licking his lips.
My palms sweat. He is so close I can smell his cologne. Not too light but not offensive.
I shrug and smile. “Good, I guess.”
He leans forward and whispers in my ear, “I was trying to get you to admit that you find me good-looking.”
My hand grips the bar. I will not admit it. Look what happened last time.
The ride makes a rumbling noise and begins to swing in the air. My stomach drops at how fast the ride is spinning. A scream escapes me when it swings rapidly in the air, and I instinctively grab onto Lane. He holds me close, and we both laugh as the ride spins. I laugh so hard every time the ride swings and changes directions, tickling my stomach.
He holds me close until the ride stops, and I’m smiling. It feels like the pressure has been lifted off my chest, and I have a reason to smile and laugh again.
Even if it’s only for a moment.
“That was awesome,” Exie says excitedly as she walks down the steps. “Come on, Aura.” She grabs my hand and tugs me forward until we get to the next one and the next.
I don’t have to ride with Lane again, but he stands right behind me and always makes sure we are secured in every ride.
When we can’t take it anymore, we head to finally get food, but Exie stops in front of a carnival game where the prizes are oversized bears that would hardly fit inside your car.
