Page 19 of The Love Comeback
“What’s your favorite part of the circus?” Colton turns to me as we linger in the back of the now-moving line of people.
“I like the acrobats,” I say with a grin. “They do all the stunts I wish I had the courage to try.”
Colton makes a face. “All they do is flip in the air and stuff. I mean, I can do that on a trampoline.”
Kade’s laughter fills the air, the deep boom echoing through my chest cavity. I force a smile and then divert my gaze to the entrance, where two circus workers, clad in bright red uniforms, are diligently scanning tickets. He pulls out the tickets as we approach the doors, and they scan the barcode, ushering us into the bustling spectacle inside.
“Whoa,” Colton says as soon as we step through the doors, his eyes as big as saucers. “This place is huge!” He surveys the expanse of the circus tent, the enormity of it all reflecting in his awe-struck gaze.
“Pretty cool, huh?” Kade says, leading us toward the lower tiers of seats becauseof course,Kade would get the best possible seats.
The anticipation crackles in the air, mingling with the scent of buttered popcorn and cotton candy.
“It’s so cool!” Colton squeals, his face aglow with excitement, and I can’t help but smile.
We take in the brightly colored streamers hanging from the ceiling, the dazzling lights, the energetic music. It’s a scene straight out of a dream. And our seats are in the very front row, so close to the action that we’ll likely feel the heat from the flamethrowers.
“You guys want any popcorn?” Kade turns to us as we take our seats, Colton planted in between Kade and me. “I could go for some.”
“Me too!” Colton says the words enthusiastically, but his eyes are already glued to the clowns circling around the edge of the tent’s arena. I can’t decide by the look on his face if he’s intrigued or terrified by them.
I then glance over at Kade, who gives me a funny look, motioning to Colton. He’s clearly thinking the same thing about my nephew, and both of us stifle a laugh as Colton jumps back in his seat when a clown approaches.
“Nope. I don’t like them,” he mutters, avoiding eye contact with the red-nosed, orange-headed clown. In Colton’s defense,even I cringe a little at the fluffy, off-white vest with pom-poms sticking out everywhere.
Maybe I don’t like clowns either.
“Yeah, but back in the day, this was the main form of entertainment,” Kade says with total ease as the clown performs a handstand. Everyone cheers, and Colton joins in. There’s something about the sight of Colton having a good time that makes me feel lighter.
And I hate that I love how Kade brings it out in him.
“I think it would be so cool to be in the circus,” Colton declares as the night wears on, and the wonder in his eyes seems to grow with every flip of an acrobat and every blow of a flame.
“You know what’s crazy?” Kade shoots me a smirk as he leans into Colton, who pops another piece of popcorn into his mouth. “Back in high school, Ella wanted to be in the circus, too. So much so that she actually tried to train to become an acrobat.”
“Oh my gosh,” I gasp, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. Embarrassment floods my cheeks as Colton turns to me.
“Really?”
I shoot Kade a glare, though I have to admit that it’s playful. “Yes.But it was only for a few weeks, and I learned very quickly that it wasn’t for me.” I rake my fingers through my dark hair, thinking back to the way Kade cheered for me—never once reminding me of onebigproblem with my dream.
Colton shoves another handful of popcorn in his mouth. “How come it didn’t work?”
I glance over at Kade, who’s got a grin a mile wide on his face. “I’m terrified of heights.”
My nephew’s brows furrow as if he’s confused for a moment, and then he looks over to Kade—and then back to me. “Then why would you ever consider becoming an acrobat?”
“Because I was silly.” I laugh, shaking my head as Kade begins a deep humming chuckle. It vibrates my chest, its low sound heavier than the music playing overhead in between acts. My heart palpitates with the past memories of us, but I quickly push them away.
I’m only here because his date didn’t work out.
I turn away from his gaze, which I can still feel lingering on my skin as I do my best to focus on the horse and trick rider galloping into the ring. I take a deep breath, pretending like I’m not moved by Kade. He’s always had a way of getting under my skin…
But I can’t afford to let him break my heart again.
My eyes flicker to my nephew, my mind replaying the turmoil of my ex-husband leaving us. That’s the thing with relationships that involve children. It’s not like it would just be my heart potentially being broken. It would be Colton’s, too.
“Man, this is the best nightever.” Colton’s voice rings out as he stands to his feet, cheering as the trick rider hangs off the sideof her horse, her bright pink costume glowing under the circus lights. “I think I want to come to the circuseverynight.”
