Page 11 of All Hallows' Hex
That was all I wanted with Aimee. It didn’t matter the timeline or how difficult the road would be, I wanted to travel it with her—andonlyher.
CHAPTER7
Aimee
I steppedout of Lane’s booth and into the crisp, windy air. It was a relief against my burning skin. She left me in a daze after turning my world upside-down and I dreaded that she had to work tonight. In truth, I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. It felt like I was breathing for the first time, but also like I was drowning in uncertainty.
Boisterous laughter caught my attention across the access road, and I made out three figures in the grass. One was a familiar clown up to no good with his friends. Everett threw his water bottle at one of the guys, who caught it and fell back with laughter.
“Everett!” I called out, waving my hand in the air and smiling when he looked over, motioning me to the grass. The two other guys looked my way as I stepped onto the grass and then back at Ev.
“Hey, Aimee, right? Vera is the one with pink hair?” I nodded at his assessment, and he sat up straighter. “What are you up to tonight?” His question was singular and straightforward, but I didn’t miss the hopefulness in his eyes that Sienna was lurking around somewhere.
“Nothing much really. I came by to see Lanie and hang out for a while.” He took in my reserved smile and shook off the sadness that washed over him. He extended his hand, looking at the guys for introductions.
“Happy you’re here. These clowns are Elijah Anderson and Matthew Barrios.” He pointed to each man respectively, a baby-faced brunet who was covered in white face paint with green jester details and a rugged, dark-haired guy who had a sinister and creepy skull design with matching green details.
It clicked then that the Matt Lanie had mentioned earlier was sitting in front of me, which meant his boyfriend Elijah was the jester. From what I could see, their physical builds and strength were amazing and promised an amazing acrobatic show. Elijah held out his hand first, and then Matt.
“Actually,” I whispered, “can I talk with you? In private?” Matt gestured to himself, probably wondering why a random girl had an interest in speaking with him. At my confirmation, he stood up and threw Everett’s water bottle back at him. Walking past me, he winked at Elijah, who cracked a grin.
“Absolutely.”
He stepped off the grass and onto the pavement, heading toward the metal tables under the trees. Following him, I had an afterthought. It felt shitty to leave Everett in a state of unknown.
“Everett,” I called over my shoulder. His head snapped up, amber eyes wide with anticipation. “Shedoeswant to call you, by the way.” I didn’t have to explain who I meant. The hitch in his breath told me he understood.
Leaving the boys, I made my way to Matt feeling like a fish out of water for the conversation I was about to open up. He’d clambered onto the top of the table and rested his elbows on his knees. I slid into the bench seat beside his feet.
“What’s up?” he asked casually, as if it were an everyday conversation and completely normal to be pulled aside by a stranger for advice and guidance.
“Lane told me you guys were friends. I hoped to ask you a few questions, if it’s not too personal?” Matt’s laugh was booming and deep, similar to his voice.
“Yeah, we’re friends with Lanie.” There was an inflection in his statement, an undertone that I couldn’t place, so I pushed it aside. “What’s got you overthinking?”
“Overthinking?” I didn’t know I’d given anyone that impression.
“Like I said, we’re friends with Lane. We’ve heard all about the infamous Aimee she’s smitten with.” His admission made me blush, but the thought that Lanie was as smitten with me as I was with her lit a fire through my veins. I cleared my throat.
“Oh, I didn’t realize she talked about me like that.”
“All good things, I promise.” Matt raised his hands to calm my anxiety.
“Well,” I started, fidgeting my fingers on the hem of my sleeves. I felt his gaze track up and down my frame as he waited. “I’ve never really been with . . .”
“Ah, I’m getting a clearer picture now.”
“She said you’re dating Elijah, right?” He nodded and I pressed forward. “When did you realize you liked guys? Or rather, how did it feel?”
He smiled as he thought it over, glancing over my shoulder to the boys still sitting in the grass. Matt sighed, clasping his hands together and pinning his stare back on me.
“I think you’ll find that discovery was a bit more complicated than you’re hoping for. Let’s start with this—what are you feeling?”
“At the moment, a stupid amount of happiness.” I laughed nervously. That was merely a superficial feeling. Looking down, I continued to worry the fabric of my dress. “Before tonight, though, mostly confusion. I don’t know. I’m stuck in the middle.” The revelation lifted a heavy weight off my chest.
“More similar then. Aimee,” he said gently, pulling my attention to him. His features were soft and understanding. “Are you wondering if you’re bisexual?” I sighed in relief.
“Yes, exactly.”
