45. KAYLA
45
“ I need you to pick something up.” I look up at Nana with my eyes narrowed.
“I’m busy.” I hold up my book, scowling. She’s Rae’s grandmother, but I spent so much time at Rae’s house when I was younger that she feels like family to me.
We banter most of the time, pretending we don’t like each other, but really, I adore the woman. She’s fierce, and a pain in the ass, and I have no doubt I’ll be something like that when I’m seventy and grumpy like her.
“You’re relaxing.”
“Why aren’t you going?” I counter with more sass than I should considering she’s my elder.
“I have a Zoom meeting with a supplier from Nepal in ten minutes.”
My sigh is heavy with annoyance as I refrain myself from rolling my eyes.
“You know, it’s really weird hearing you say things like Zoom meeting and supplier considering you’ve been alive since before we had phones.”
She keeps a straight face, but there’s a ghost of a smile sitting in the corner of her wrinkled lips. “Jealous I have shit to do?” She taunts.
“Ouch,” I smile. This woman is brutal.
“It’s important,” she adds when I don’t reply.
“So ask Rae to go.”
“Rae is busy. Stop being a brat and just pick it up.” She drops her car keys in my lap, turning around to take off.
Euh, hello?
“I’m taking your car?” Must be really important because Nana rarely lets anyone drive her car. Her Gateway Classic Mustang . Let alone me . “I don’t even know what I need to pick up?” I screech. “And where?”
“At the Fun Fair. The one on the field behind the old Windham plantation. There is a stall there that sells gemstones. Tell them you’re coming for me.” She disappears into the house, before her head snaps back out. “And step on it!”
I wince when she slams the door shut again, leaving me sitting on the front porch.
That damned old bat. I want to tell her to shove it up her ass, but instead I get up, sulking, making my way to her car. A minute later, I’m sitting behind the wheel of her full black Ford Mustang, hitting the throttle for the sake of it.
She said step on it, right? Don’t have to tell me twice.
The roaring engine makes me smile at the road in front of me while my sunglasses protect my eyes from the last sunny hours of the day. If she’s going to let me drive around in her car, I’ll be her fucking personal delivery girl from now on.
Unintentionally, my mind goes to Bodi, thinking about how I miss sitting in his car as he drives us to work. I love starting my morning with him, even if those moments were mostly silent, with nothing more than the rumbling sound of his engine filling the car.
As if our minds are synced, my phone vibrates on the dashboard and his name pops up.
BODI: Got any plans for tonight?
He’s been texting me every day. Wishing me a good morning. Asking me how I’m doing. This morning I caught myself being disappointed when I woke up without a message from him, and I realized I shouldn’t expect him to keep putting in all the effort. He was making an effort. I didn’t want him to think that was futile.
It definitely wasn’t.
Slowly, I’ve been allowing my feelings to seep back into my veins and he deserved some attention from my side. So I put my ego aside and texted him a good morning. He responded right away, and throughout the day, we’ve been sending messages back and forth. I can’t deny it’s why I’ve been chipper all day.
I miss him.
And more frequently, I’m letting myself wonder if maybe I’m ready to see him.
A few minutes later, I drive the car onto the field, parking it in the cordoned off bit that said parking. The entire field seems deserted, and I’m surprised no one here is on a Friday night.
I turn off the engine, then grab my phone.
KAYLA: Nana sent me out to pick something up. After that, I’ll probably go back to my book.
KAYLA: What about you?
BODI: I got an important meeting.
KAYLA: On a Friday night?
BODI: Business never stops, babe.
BODI: Unless it means spending time with you instead.
Laughing, I get out of the car, locking it as I scan the area. The music coming from the rides tells me the carnival is indeed open, but there is not a soul in sight. Reluctantly, I walk toward the entrance, listening for any human sounds with my phone tucked tightly in my hand.
I love going to the carnival, but right now, it’s giving me the chills. I feel like this is the start of a very bad slasher movie.
KAYLA: You’ll come find me if I get abducted, right?
BODI: What are you talking about?
KAYLA: Nana told me to pick something up from the Fun Fair. But the entire place is deserted.
BODI: A whole carnival to yourself. Sounds like a dream come true for you.
KAYLA: Unless a carny will hold me captive and throw me in his basement.
BODI: I’m pretty sure carnies have trailers.
KAYLA: This is the point where you tell me to text you when I’ve safely returned to my car.
BODI: I’m sure it will be fine.
BODI: And yes, I will always come find you.
Chuckling, I take the last steps to the entrance, then notice the big sign in front of the register.
*CLOSED DUE TO PRIVATE EVENT*
I curiously carry my feet through the open gate, roaming the area. The cheery sound of the merry-go-round is audible in the background and it’s kinda weird to see this place so empty. Like I’m sneaking in somewhere I’m not supposed to be.
Did I read a dark romance book a while ago that started just like this? Some girl roaming around a deserted theme park, stumbling along some mafia gang that decided to keep her hostage after she saw an execution she wasn’t supposed to see. Focus, Kayla.
While I let my eyes glance around, I saunter over the field, looking for the gemstone stall. I can’t find it. But when my eyes lock with the most gorgeous green ones I’ve ever seen, I realize there probably isn’t one.
My heart stops for at least three seconds, before it starts back up, thundering a pace at least a few beats quicker than before.
His eyes peer at me like lasers, commanding my feet to a halt. I bring up my hand to cover up my gaping mouth, the shock clear on my face.
Bodi stands there, his hands tucked into his jean pockets, his broad chest covered by a plaid shirt. The same plaid shirt we met in, the one that’s engraved in my brain like a tattoo.
He looks so handsome.
A wide grin splits his face, jolting the butterflies alive in my stomach.
I swallow, my knees weak when I put my legs back in motion, shaking my head in disbelief.
I knew Nana wouldn’t let me drive her car for something silly.
“What is this?” I ask, giggling.
When I finally feel some strength seeping back in my muscles, I break out into a run. He holds his arms out, and I launch myself at his body like a damn koala. My legs are wrapped around his waist, my arms almost strangling as I squeeze his neck. I breathe in his coco wax, feeling an instant high rush through my mind.
Home . He feels like home, and I close my eyes, just taking in how he feels against my body.
“Hey, baby,” he whispers in my ear.
“What is this?” I lean back, locking my eyes with his.
“My grand gesture.”
I blink, holding back the big toothy smile that’s dying to get out.
“You rented the entire carnival for the night?”
He hums in agreement.
“You hate the carnival.”
“I know.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “But you don’t.”
He keeps looking at me, causing my heart to pound harder with every second.
“I fucked up so badly,” he says.
“You did.”
“I know you said you needed time, and I’m willing to give you that if that’s really what you want. But I need you to know that I love you.”
Holy shit.
I gasp. I did not expect that to fall from his lips. I’m sorry, yeah . Forgive me, maybe . Can we start over, sure . But never I love you. Not so soon. Not after the wall he’s put up.
“I love you. I fell in love with you quicker than I could keep up, and I’m sorry for letting you wait so long. I’m sorry for holding your age above your head as a way to keep my distance. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I let you go. But I’m not sorry I fell in love with you.” The genuine sparkle of happiness glosses over my eyes, my heart expanding to unseen proportions. “I was a coward. I thought love destroyed my father. That his obsessions with my mother were what killed him in the end. But my mother saved him. The love he felt for her made him live longer than any doctor ever gave him. I was wrong, baby. I was so goddamn wrong and I’m sorry. I’m going to tell you every day for the rest of my life, even if you don’t want to hear it. I’m going to force you to listen, even if you don’t want to hear it, because I love you, Kayla. I fucking love you, baby.”
I don’t understand half of what he’s telling me, and I will definitely have more questions later, but now all I hear is he loves me. He loves me.
Water pools down my cheeks, and I take his face in my hands.
“Well, thank fuck.” I chuckle as my voice falters. “Because it sucks to be the only one in love in a relationship. Doesn’t work as well as when two people feel the same way.”
He smirks at the sarcasm in my tone, cupping my cheek.
“I always felt the same, baby. I just wasn’t as brave as you.” He leans in, our mouths almost touching, while he brushes my tears away.
That compliment makes me smile.
Brave.
I like to think of myself as brave.
“Probably because you’re an old man. The bravery fades away with the years.”
“Shut up, woman.” Impatiently, he covers his mouth with mine in a bruising kiss. The urgency is tangible, torching every sense in my body.
“I’m not expecting you to forgive me,” he huffs, pushing his forehead against mine. “But I’m just telling you I’ll be by your side forever, whether you do or you don’t.”
“Forever? Are you proposing to me, McKay?”
I’d love to get married to him. One day. Someday.
“No.” Tentatively, his lips feathering against mine. “When I propose to you, you get something better than this.”
“Better than my own personal carnival? Big dreams, babe.”
“Anything for you.”
He waits for me to make a move, or to say something, and I pull him closer, linking our lips again. I flick my tongue against his and it feels like coming home after a long day. It’s gentle, our tongues speaking the love we can’t voice. It’s intoxicating, drifting me away in an endless bliss. I can kiss this man forever and, secretly, I hope he’ll let me.
“Bodi?” I muse against his lips, followed by a grunt from him. “I do forgive you.”
He freezes, his green eyes blinking in shock.
“You do?”
I shrug. “Of course, that’s what you do when you love someone, right? You forgive, because you love them too much to keep dwelling on their mistakes. I forgave you weeks ago, I just wanted you to work for it.”
He looks at me in awe.
“I’ll work for you for the rest of my life, baby. I love you, Kayla.”
“I love you, Bodi.”