Page 85 of Of Poison & Pumpkins
Next to me, Rynn stops in her tracks and pivots to the stage. I want to massage the tension out of her shoulders, promise her it’ll be okay, that I’ll take care of her no matter what, but that isn’t what she wants to hear right now. If I had known before what I know now, I would’ve tried to sabotage Pumpkins’ chance of winning to give her a better shot.
A thumping comes from the microphone. “Ladies and gentleman, or should I say … acrobats and witches and mermaids …” The council leader laughs alone. “Let’s thank Stokur’s Hardware Shop for creating this wonderful display and to Guilliani Event Planning for organizing all the vendors and games!”
There’s a small round of applause, then a shriek as two children run into fake skeletons while playing, disjointing all the bones so they rumble down the street.
He continues, “I have the results of our 2025 winner. Drumroll please.”
I hold my breath as Rynn bounces on her tiptoes neurotically. She leans forward to hear him better.
He rips open an envelope and smiles. “The prize money goes to Lily’s Lillies! Congratulations!”
“That’s bullshit,” Zanther whispers, then shakes his head.
“Yeah, bullshit!” Maya stomps her feet.
“Hey, young knight, that is an adult word.” Tinsley points a finger in her daughter’s face. “Please don’t repeat that.”
“The panther said it first! Make him get in trouble!” Maya weaves between Zanther’s legs like an obstacle course, giggling and striking his knees with her sword.
“You little menace, I’m going to eat you!”
She screams with glee and scampers off, chased by the massive panther that is my brother.
Now that they’re gone, I lay a hand on Rynn’s shoulder, since she still hasn’t turned around to face me. Is she crying?
“I’m sorry, Tinz,” she speaks to her best friend. The sadness in her voice rips my heart in two. “I wanted this for you, I really did. This is my fault.”
“Woah, woah, woah. Stop right there, back up,” Tinsley says, waving her arms around like a lunatic. “Why would you apologize?”
“The money. For Maya.”
Tinsley gives me a look. Without knowing her well, I’m confident we’re on the same wavelength.
“Rynnlee Eve. I’ll be fine. Yes, I had a rough summer, but there are lots of solutions. This isn’t about me right now, or my insane mini knight trying to chop the balls off a panther. This is about you. Sure, everything has been crazy, but even before Elias arrived, your heart hasn’t been in Palooza for a while.” Tinsley lowers her chin, giving her a stern teacheresque look. “What do you want? Are you happy at Palooza still?”
“Owning a shop was never my dream,” Rynn says so fast, and I’m so damned proud of her for admitting it. “It was a means to make money when I had the opportunity, so I didn’t have to rely on my family back home for income. Plus, I’m not a natural salesperson. I was afraid to move on because you and Maya relied on that money.”
“We will be okay, I promise. With or without obscene purple invading our lives.”
Rynn chuckles. “I guess I need to trust that you can figure it out. But know I’m always here to help, okay?”
“I know.” Tinsley rests her forehead against my girlfriend’s for a sweet moment that makes me glad she has someone else also in her corner. “Now I need to go find my daughter before she breaks someone.”
Alone, I pull Rynn into a crushing hug. “I’m proud of you.”
“For what?” She groans when I squeeze too tightly. “I lost. You did too. So, we both failed.”
“I sure didn’t fail.” I run a hand through her hair. “I got you. You’re all I need.”
She twists part of my lion mane. “I can’t live a life of only needing you. I also need hobbies, my own income, my own friends. So, I can’t say the same. I love you, Lias, but I need more to be fully happy.”
“Enlighten me. What do you need? Other than all those orgasms this morning.”
“You’re such a guy.” She gently slaps my shoulder and rolls her eyes. “I was thinking of asking Viv for a part time position at Hooves of Love. And I can sell knitting projects. Also, I want to get to know Orion again.”
“Can I be by your partner in crime?”
“You already have been, so we may as well continue … if …”
