Page 7 of The Last Thing
“You look like you need to relax a little. Have some fun. Let loose. I’m fully invested in all forms of fun tonight, but you’ll enjoy yourself more if you loosen up first.”
“Okay. I’m in.”
At least I’m wearing sneakers and jeans now. We passed a department store, and she sent me in to put on clothes that didn’t make me “look so cranky.”
Now I’m in my standard attire. White tee, jeans, and sneakers, plus the backward Metros ball cap I grabbed while I was waiting to check out.
Again she takes my hand, and it’s impossible to ignore the crack of electricity I feel. It burns up my arm, going straight for my chest, every time she touches me.
“Let’s go.”
I can’t remember the last time I went to a carnival.
My mom usually takes Sophia to the local fairs in the summer while I’m working, but me?
Fuck, when was the last time I let myself have fun or did something just for me?
The tenth of never.
So I let all my inhibitions go and follow the hellion as she drags me through the carnival.
We laugh our way through the funhouse with all the mirrors, then she dashes over to get some cotton candy.
Her smile is bright and intoxicating.
She’s just… free.
And it lets me channel that feeling, if only for a night.
She sways back to me and holds out a piece of cotton candy. I take the whole thing in my mouth, my tongue brushing her fingers.
Her eyes lock with mine, going a little hazy for a second… until she spies something over my shoulder.
“Games!” Grabbing my hand, she drags me over to a row of carnival games, going straight for the one where you toss darts at balloons.
We both get four darts, and as she picks her first one up, she looks at me. “Want to make it interesting?”
“How so?”
“Winner decides what we do next.”
“Okay. What do you want to do if you win?”
“Hm. Carousel. What about you?”
My eyes go up and to the right. “Ferris wheel.”
She smiles brightly. “You’re on.”
We throw at the same time, lightly shoving and trying to distract each other, but when all is said and done, I get three and she gets one.
“Looks like we’re going on the Ferris wheel,” I say smugly.
She shoves my shoulder. “You’re lucky I don’t cry on them like my sister does.”
“Don’t forget your prizes,” the attendant says.
“Which one am I picking from?” I ask.
