Page 13 of All Hallows' Hex
“I don’t think so, but what’s that little smile for? Surely candy floss isn’t that life-changing.” I took the ball of candy she held out; it smelled like that manufactured blue raspberry flavor. Vera squinted at me before answering.
“You know why.”
“Did Cody make special plans or something?” I watched her face fall as she sighed, resigned to accepting the place they were stuck in.
“No, you know that would cross into territory he isn’t ready for. It’s just the usual. He’s going to pick me up and hang out at my place for the night.” Her eyes flicked to the candy still in my hand.
“Still doing sleepovers?” I grinned, raising my eyebrow and letting her know we all knew what those sleepovers really turned into for them. It was the ultimate cocktease they did, brought on by themselves. Her shoulder knocked into mine as she rolled her eyes.
“Yes, I’ll take what I can get, thank you very much. Eat the damn cotton candy already!” I snickered, popping it into my mouth finally. “Enough stalling about me, how’d your time with Lanie go?” She gave the same “I know what you did” eyebrow raise. The sugar dissolved on my tongue, replacing the taste of Lane.
“It was quite a night,” I said, laughing. “A very physical goodbye, if you will.”
“Shut up!” Excitement moved through her hands as she shook around her bag. “Details now, please.”
“Well, she kissed me, a lot, and then before she got back to her booth thing, she . . . had a snack.” Vera’s laugh was a cackle through the air, drawing attention to us. My face reddened and I hid the growing smile behind my hands.
“Shut up,” I moaned. I felt her arm drape over my shoulders as she leaned in close.
“So scandalous, Aimee Madison!” Her whisper yell caused a laugh to rock through me, and I shook my head, deliberately ignoring her bait.
I was timid and shy in the sex department, so public affairs were a scandalous thing for me. Though, the more I thought it over tonight, the more right it felt. Timid and shy didn’t feel like a part of me, and I thought it came from never being with the right people. Lanie made me want to tackle and tame that adventurous side I thought would only be a far-fetched dream. Her confidence spoke to mine and coaxed it out. She sawmeand in turn, I saw and felt me, too.
Music blared from the center of the pavilion, cutting off my thoughts and our conversation. It was an EDM Halloween music track that really set the vibe.
“I want the juicy details tonight, by the way. I’m not forgetting either,” Vera whispered. The crowd cheered, and we stood to move our way to the front, looking around. A backflipping figure moved over the bricked ground.
“That’s Matt,” I explained, and she nodded, clapping and watching in awe as his body twisted through the air. He stuck the landing perfectly, sweeping his arm out to the crowd and dropping his head. That made them feral as they shouted and hollered.
“Good evening, mere mortals braving Hallow’s Haunt! We are from The Devil’s Rage, Hallow’s very own acrobatics team. Please welcome my partner, Eli!” His voice echoed through a mic and over the music. Cheering grew louder, but I caught Matt’s gaze and recognition. He gave a little bow as people parted, and Elijah rolled in on an actual unicycle.
“Oh my god,” I said in disbelief. “He wasn’t kidding about the unicycle,” I said, laughing at the sight.
“How fucking high up do you think he is?” Vera clapped to the beat and I joined in. I thought it over, realizing the unicycle itself was taller than Matt.
Leaning in, I said, “The unicycle has to be pushing over six feet tall, and Elijah’s a tall guy, too. Hell, maybe ten feet, give or take?” There was a staggering height difference between them as Elijah circled Matt with his arms outstretched.
“I’d break my damn neck.” I had to agree. My hand-eye coordination was shit in comparison.
While he worked the crowd, Matt snuck off to a bag by the line of people’s feet and pulled out several large bowling pins. Elijah turned, moving the pedals back and forth to keep him steady. From where he was crouched, Matt tossed him three pins one after the other and Eli caught them with graceful ease.
With three pins each, they took their places as we waited with bated breath. On the beat drop, both threw their third pins in the air. One after the next, they exchanged pins as Elijah maintained balance. His posture was taut and perfect, and the muscles in his back rippled under his shirt. They took it up a notch as Matt moved in a circle and Eli turned to match him, never missing a catch or faulting on a toss.
Their gazes were intense and focused on each other. Their eyes never shifted to the crowd. Matt wore a smile, but concentration framed Eli’s face and suddenly, I felt like I was intruding on watching them watch each other.
Lane had been right. Even their simplest performance had an air of sensuality to it.
CHAPTER8
Lanie
I flungmy jacket over my arms, wasting no time in zipping it, and start heading for the door. I’d clocked out and changed in rapid time. No one could’ve stood in my way at that moment.
Lane: Finished, I’ll meet you at the entrance
Locking my phone, I threw it in my pocket and zipped it. I felt the buzz of a text response as I pushed the heavy door open and stepped out into the cool October breeze. The boys were gathered on the benches outside. They were still in their costumes because they were scheduled to close this weekend.
“Bye, guys!” I waved them off with no chance to talk as I sprinted down the avenue and into the main area of the park. There weren’t as many attendees at this hour, but I still found myself dodging people and weaving my way around small crowds. Lights and music still created a Halloween fanfare, but I was over it tonight.
