“Nothing. Just wrestling with Jimmy this morning.”
“Hmm.” Doubt flickers, then she says, “You need to be careful. You don’t want to mess up the internship, right?”
“Definitely not.” Then the light fades and she turns toward the line for the Zipper.
Something changed. Did she see through my lies? Does she sense that? I try and distract her. “You know people have died on this ride?”
“Or they puke and it goes over everyone.”
“Gross. You’re not a puker, are you?”
She smiles. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”
It’s our turn and we climb into the cage. We’re belted in and the door clangs shuts. I expected her to be terrified, but the eager smile and the way she braces her legs and arms and tells me she’s an old pro at this. I’m the sucker. Shit. Maybe I should’ve chosen a ride I’d been on before. I’ve never been the carnival-kind-of-guy. The gears grind and the ride picks up speed. My stomach drops the first time we flip over. She screams and laughs.
“Close your eyes!” she shouts.
I close my eyes. My body jerks and moves and flips. The wind tears through. The rush of adrenaline explodes in my body.
And for one brief second, I’m flying.
Chapter 6
Katie
I lean against the window of the Inn, waiting. For Chad. He’s twenty minutes late. My feet already tap to the music, and I hope he’s ready for the night I have planned. If this doesn’t bring a little sweet innocence to his life I don’t know what will.
Traffic has thickened, the crowds passing in front of me. Everyone anxious to find a seat. The bandstand is already packed, has to be. These kinds of nights always bring in the older crowds. The sound of the guitar echoes out from the stage as the band warms up. I’ve watched the crowds when a band is playing the Oldies, they laugh and sway to the beat. I can see the memories flash before they eyes as they embrace their childhood sweethearts. These nights always pluck at my heart. I hope that someday that will be me, that someday I’ll find the kind of love that lasts.
I listen for the roar of his motorcycle or see it weaving in and out of the cars, but I can’t see or hear him arriving. It’s my turn to plan the date, and I’m going to push the romance envelope more than I would’ve dared in the past, because I know he won’t laugh at me, and because it’s time. I have a surprise waiting back in my room, and every time I think about it, I want to giggle. This girl wants another kiss.
Someone jabs me in the ribs then twirls me around. My heart shoots skyward until I recognize Chad. I can’t help but laugh. A certain kind of lightness finds me more and more when I’m with him. I only hope I do the same for him.
“Hey, you’re late.” And I jab him back.
He pouts and flashes me fake puppy dog eyes. “Forgive me?”
His dark eyes draw me in, the look accomplishing more than just forgiveness. A feeling surges inside. I want to hold his hand, run my fingers through his hair, gently kiss him. Of course, I don’t want to be that transparent, so I start walking, my nose in the air. “Well, better not happen again.”
“Or what?” He easily catches up to me in a couple strides.
“Or, or, you’ll be in big trouble.” Then I smile to let him know I’m not really mad.
He leans close and whispers, “You can punish me anytime.”
A thrill goes through my chest. He says things like that, infers he wants to be with me, but then he holds back. Is it me? Am I too much of the good girl? Or maybe he senses I’m lying and have thousands of dollars back in my room, which I absolutely hate and will give back as soon as I figure out exactly how to walk into a lawyer’s office with that much cash.
I brush it off. “Come on. We don’t want to miss it.”
“The band?”
“Yup. The good seats are probably already taken.” It’s a small enough stadium shell that all the seats are just fine. I slip my hand into his. He doesn’t seem to mind. The music grows louder, the words becoming more than just fuzz in the background. He sings along to it.
“You know these songs?”
“Yeah. Why?” He steps back. “Let me guess. You thought I just listened to heavy metal or grunge music.”
I feel the blush starting. “Well…” My eyes go to the leather jacket and the tattoos.
He laughs. “I know. I know. I fit the image. Glad I lost the lip ring or you probably wouldn’t even be seen with me.”
We walk in silence, his words really hitting me. Wow. I didn’t realize I’d put him in a cage, assumed something about him based on his looks. Isn’t that exactly what I’m trying to break free from? People expecting that I don’t want to have fun because I usually follow the rules and I have that look of schoolgirl innocence? “Tell me something about yourself I don’t know then.”