Chapter 12
"Can I take off this blindfold now?"
Starlah couldn't believe she had agreed to go with him, not only withholding where they were going but also that she had to do it with her eyes covered. She sniffed the air, then grinned when his truck stopped, and he placed it in park.
"Smells good… like food but also animals." She giggled when he kissed his teeth.
"That's cheating."
"My goodness, Swift. It was just a sniff." Her button nose crinkled, and he reached over and tugged on it. "And you've held me hostage while blind. I should be able to cheat, right?"
"Whatever," Swift grumbled, gazing at her. He couldn't believe the "like" bug had bitten him and that it had happened while in a small ass town like Pellum.
Star stretched and rubbed her eyes after falling asleep.
She hadn't eaten that much since Endea had prepared a huge dinner, which was when she and Lucky decided to make it official.
While Creed thought it was corny, she had high hopes for them.
Star immediately felt awful since they hadn't spoken or seen each other since the funeral.
She made a mental note to swing by Endea's place to see her.
When she went to open the door, Swift caught her wrist, halting her.
"Don't." He smiled, his dimpled grin appearing. "Sit tight."
He slid out of the truck, then jogged around to the passenger side.
The day he'd purchased Chevy and Papa those doghouses, he saw a sign and knew just what Starlah needed — a day at the annual carnival.
It was just outside Pellum, in the town of Quiet Waters.
Quiet Waters was known for its artistic vibe, from plays and museums to its winery, but each year, people came out in droves for its annual carnival, filled with rides, games, entertainment, and food.
"Swift," she whined, feeling the warm air seep in when he opened the door.
"I actually like to hear you whine," he admitted. "Hold tight. You're worse than damn Papa. That little nigga knows he's sensitive." He pulled off the blindfold, and when she rubbed her eyes and focused, she squealed.
"Quiet Waters Annual Carnival! Swift, how did you know?" He shrugged, his dimpled cheeks hiked. "Move."
Star shoved him back quickly and exited the truck.
When she patted her pockets, she pushed out a frustrated breath.
She'd always heard about the annual carnival, but Lucky had never made the time to take them.
They knew when it was because he'd shipped loads of corn, potatoes, and milk for the vendors.
They made everything from Mexican corn in a cup to shoestring French Fries, and an assortment of milkshakes in thirty flavors.
"I don't have my wallet."
Swift kissed his teeth, lightly tugged her by her wrist, and closed his door.
He wasn't sure what kind of nigga Starlah thought he was, but he'd never allow a woman to spend time with him and foot the bill…
not that he'd ever been on a real date. Still, if he hung out in his dorm room with a girl or two, he paid for it all, from the pizza to the beer.
He'd also learned a thing or two from his father over the years, which was why he knew simple worked as long as it was thoughtful.
"Hold my hand. It's crowded out here."
Star didn't rebel. Instead, she smiled when Swift laced his huge fingers through hers. The coarseness made her skin pebbled with goosebumps as he led with confidence. She noticed how he bobbed and weaved through the crowd, careful to extend his arm so no one would pass close to her.
"You're a rider or a watcher?" he asked as they approached the front entrance. He figured she was a rider, but he didn't want to assume.
"A little of both," Star admitted. "I hate heights, but I love rollercoasters, if that makes sense."
"It does." Swift glanced at the ride in the sky that went around the entire carnival. Feet swung as couples, even girlfriends, giggled when pointing at the sights. "So you wouldn't be game for that?"
She lifted her eyes, feeling a bit anxious, then looked back at him. Swift had, in a matter of weeks, put his life on hold to honor his uncle's request, then he'd taken the lead in caring for Chevy. Star realized she missed her puppy… a lot.
"I think I can do it with you, but don't tease me if I keep my eyes closed the entire time."
Swift could never tease Starlah. She stood strong, even when she walked around, feeling defeated and hopeless when she came out, her eyes dancing around when she didn't see the two people she was so used to seeing walk around in the home they all once shared.
"Welcome to Quiet Waters Annual Carnival! Will you be buying the unlimited pass with your entry tickets?"
"Unlimited?" Starlah muttered. "How long do we plan to be here?"
"That depends on how much fun we have. Don't worry. Moms and Logan will look after Chevy and Papa. I think I even heard Chevy whining along with Papa when we pulled off." He then looked at the worker. "Two unlimited passes, please and thank you."
They entered and were immediately stopped by a worker with a huge camera.
"Beautiful couple. I can tell you're in love."
He pulled Starlah lightly by her wrist and placed them both in front of the Quiet Waters backdrop. It had a lake resting in front of a large mountain with the sun setting, the orange and red rays beaming through the cracks.
"Oh, we're not—"
"Glad you stopped us," Swift interrupted her. "Take two. One for me, and one for her."
"Swift," Star whispered when he stood behind her and slid his arms around her waist.
His chin rested on her shoulder, his nose inhaling the scent of her hair. It had a unique smell. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he smelled it each time she washed her hair.
"Huge smile!" The cameraman flashed it twice, then approached them. "Turn this way."
He had Starlah face Swift, then had him lean down just a little.
"I love it. Look at each other and don't move. On the count of three, smile."
As he counted down, Swift slowly licked his lower lip and winked, her eyes narrowing because they were supposed to smile.
"That was actually better than I thought." He whipped a ticket out of his pocket, then wrote a number on the back. "Make sure you present this on your way out near the picture van." He patted Starlah on the arm. "Love your hair. Gorgeous."
"Uh, thank you."
Star wasn't that much of a fan of it. It was thick and coiled and would turn bleach-blonde if she used products that naturally dyed her hair. Then, if she straightened it, as soon as she began to sweat, it would morph into its naturally coiled state.
"Man, that shit's beautiful." Swift tugged on one of her tendrils. "Women would pay for this. Stop playing, Star."
"I'm not. It's just a lot of work."
"You know what else is a lot of work?" He pointed to the booth where they had to toss a horseshoe around the necks of glass bottles. "That. Are you game?"
"Oh, hell yeah."
Star was naturally competitive, and since most girls would rather stand around and watch while their boyfriends spent almost half of their money to win a prize, she skipped to show him what she was working with.
"Pfft. Please. Watch what I do."
"Alright, everyone, step right on up! You'll have exactly one minute to toss these horseshoes around the neck of the bottle. Whoever gets the most wins a prize of their choice! Are you ready?"
Swift looked at Starlah, his hand positioned near the horseshoes placed in front of him. Star did as well, but she was looking straight ahead. She didn't need a distraction, and Swift, especially when running and coming in with sweat pouring off his body, was naturally a distraction.
"Let's go!"
With a flick of his wrist and with great execution, Swift tossed the horseshoes, one by one.
A few landed, but just as many, if not more, hit the neck and then fell to the ground.
Starlah, though, knew exactly how to make them land.
Instead of a flick, she did a slight toss just high enough before it descended the neck of the bottle.
When the bell rang, they all stopped, the crowd cheering as the worker walked by and counted each player's horseshoes.
"Well, I think we have a winner." He walked past Swift and Starlah a few times, but then he backed up, smiled, and pointed at Starlah. "The winner is this beautiful darling right here!"
Starlah screamed, then leaped, and Swift caught her. She'd almost knocked him down when he steadied himself, his laugh matching hers.
"Oh, my! I can't believe I won!"
Swift wanted Star to win, but he didn't think she'd kick his ass when she didn't miss one time.
When she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, he held her, then slowly lowered her.
Her body dragged down his before her feet were planted on the ground.
Her chest heaved, her jaw lowered, and her skin glowed under the sun.
He'd never seen a sight as beautiful as she was.
He wasn't sure what had gotten hold of him, but he leaned over and crashed his lips against hers.
Star's breath hitched before she moaned as his tongue slid inside of her mouth.
His mouth tasted of peppermint, but not the kind she'd tasted before.
When he pulled back, his eyes never left her.
It was like he was seeing her for the first time.
She wasn't Starlah Steel, Lucky's little girl, or Creed's pestering sister. She was Starlah and all woman.
"So, are you ready to pick your prize?"
They both looked at the worker and laughed. Starlah's eyes danced around when it landed on a stuffed dog — an Anatolian Shepherd.
"What about this one?" She extended her finger, and Swift groaned. "What?"
"I have to deal with three of them now?"
She playfully punched him when the worker handed her the stuffed animal. The stuffed dog was peanut-butter-colored with chocolate eyes, almost akin to Swift's eye color.
"Here you go, Darling. Want to play another round?"
Swift looked up at the ride that circled in the air just above them. He lifted one brow, daring her to back out.
"Ugh, fine, but remember, if I close my eyes, just let me miss it all."
"You can't miss anything you've never experienced," he replied, but that wasn't true at all. Swift had a strange yearning to get to know Starlah better. It was a feeling he'd never felt, but it was also a feeling he never wanted not to feel, and because of her.
"Want to give it a try?"
She nodded, then slipped her arm through his as he carried the stuffed dog. Before he returned to Cedar Spike, he was sure he'd be surrounded by dogs, real or stuffed.
Swift didn't think he had the emotional real estate to dote on a woman, especially one he hadn't seen in years.
However, that quickly changed after four hours of playing games, going on rides, and eating everything from cotton candy to corn dogs, even getting t-shirts with their faces spray-painted on them.
By the time he had two arms filled with prizes, his eyes were heavy.
He fought through it because he had one more stop to make: Mount Hillshire.
It was where movies were played on a massive screen while people sat under the stars on the lawn with blankets.
"We don't have to do this, Swift. I've already had a wonderful day."
"Star, man." He yawned, then pinched her cheek. She was too damn cute. "We are doing this."
He lifted the first blanket, tossing it up twice before placing it on the lawn. The second followed. Luckily, he thought of the pillows he'd snuck in the truck before Star came outside.
"Need anything?" he asked, lowering himself.
When Swift extended his hand, Star took it and lowered herself close to him.
He couldn't help it. Once his head hit his pillow, he barely saw the beginning.
It was the movie, Marry Me, with Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson.
Wildly, it was a chick flick she loved, despite her love for sci-fi movies and television shows.
"Nothing except for you to rest. You've been so attentive today, thoughtful too."
When she placed her head on her pillow, he immediately scooted over and wrapped his arm around her tiny waist. His lips landed on her shoulder, offering a gentle peck.
"If I snore, nudge me." He grinned, his dimples emerging.
Star so wanted to poke them with her pointer finger, but she didn't as Swift took a deep breath and lay on his back.
He motioned for her to lie next to him with his hand.
She hesitated but soon realized that he made it easy to follow his lead.
Swift wasn't like Colt, who was flaky, predictable, and most times, a screwup.
Star hated to compare, but she couldn't help it, and she couldn't help that she didn't miss him either.
"Comfortable?" he asked, her head on his shoulder.
"Yes, thank you."
"Naw, thank you. I'm proud of you for letting your hair down today. You deserve that shit." Her eyes lifted, studying his face before she quickly lowered them. "You know that, right?"
"I guess."
Star was enjoying herself, but it was hard to forget that once she made it back home, her father and brother would never greet her as she walked through that door. Her silence boomed loudly when she blinked, fighting back tears.
"Get out of your head." With no hesitation, Swift pulled her closer, then pressed his lips against her forehead. "You can't be crying on the first date."
She smiled and wrapped her arm around his torso.
"I didn't know this was a date."
Swift looked down at her and smirked.
"It's definitely a date."
Within thirty minutes, their date morphed into a snooze fest as sleep found Swift yet again.
Starlah didn't care. She enjoyed being there with him, his heart beating against her cheek.
Once the movie was over, she softly nudged Swift.
She hated that she had to because it meant their time together was coming to an end.
"Damn." He sat up and yawned, then stared at her. She had the cutest grin. "What, crazy girl?"
"Nothing and give me the keys. I'm driving."
"Says who?"
"Says me. It's time you let me take care of you." Swift enjoyed the way that sounded, but he didn't push it. Star was getting comfortable with expressing herself, and he was too.