Page 78 of Forever Cursed

Zack sighs before pocketing his phone. “Both,” he says with a smile. “I want to be squished between my two favorite people.”

“Since when was I your favorite?” Chrissy asks while crossing her arms over her chest.

“Since you started dating my best friend. You’re finally calm-ish,” he teases.

Chrissy purses her lips.

“And I don’t have to deal with your hyper ass as much anymore, and don’t get me started on cleaning up all the broken hearts you’ve left behind. I’m thrilled to finally catch a break. Thank you for your service, Rome Carter.” Zack salutes me.

“I’m going to remember this,” Chrissy quips. “Especially when you ask me to hook you up with one of my friends.”

“You don’t have any friends,” he fires back.

“Hey!” Gwen calls.

“Besides Gwen,” Zack adds.

As they bicker back and forth, what Zack said repeats in my mind.

“All the broken hearts you’ve left behind.”

How many men did Chrissy leave? Did she break up with all of them? If so, what were the reasons?

Chrissy offers him a lopsided grin. “Just wait.” She pokes his chest as we approach the front of the line.

“Yeah, yeah. Just let me have my way.” Zack rolls his eyes.

No, don’t think like that,I tell myself while wrapping my arm around Chrissy’s waist and kissing the crown of her head.

She looks up at me and beams, her cheeks flushed from the heat and her brother.

Look at her. She’s head over heels.She wouldn’t hurt me like that. I trust her because she knows what I’ve been through. I need to relax.

“I adore you. All of you,” she whispers as I trace my thumb over her jawline.

I kiss her forehead again and exhale. “I adore you too.”

The gate opens, and the six of us take up two cars, Gwen between Ash and Max—who is still embracing the raccoon—and Zack in the middle of Chrissy and me. The rails are neon green, and the seats are deep and secure. The guards come down, and I secure it over my body, locking it in place. The ride’s attendants come by to make sure everyone is locked in.

“Why did I agree to this?” Max groans and grips the sidebar until his knuckles turn white.

“Don’t hug him so tight. You’ll make his eyes pop out.” Gwen is definitely more concerned over her stuffed animal than Max.

It makes the rest of us chuckle.

“I think I lied, Rome.” Chrissy leans over and smiles widely. “Max might scream louder than me.”

And she’s right.

When we reach the top of the drop, Max curses, and after that, he’s all screams and pleas for the ride to stop.

At the end of the ride, he drops his head and sighs, “That wasn’t so bad.”

We all hold back our laughter, and once we exit the roller coaster, we agree it’s time for more snacks and to find a spot to watch the fireworks. With all the fried food we can get our hands on, we find a spot near a tree, close to the back, away from most of the crowds.

I’m picking at a sugar-dusted funnel cake, and my fingers are a mess of grease and thick sugar, but I don’t care. Today is all about forgetting one’s responsibilities, letting go, having fun, enjoying your loved ones, and celebrating America.

Chrissy leans against my shoulder and rests her hand on my thigh.

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