37. Jay
CHAPTER 37
JAY
T he festival is alive with energy, and I can’t wait to experience it with Violet, Hannah, and Charlie. I would prefer some private time with Violet, but I get that Hannah is her best friend. And at least Hannah isn’t shooting daggers at me anymore for showing up in Violet’s life.
We make our way through the crowd, the sounds of laughter and music filling the air. I take Violet's hand and feel a thrill run through me. This is our chance to have fun, to enjoy each other’s company.
Every single time we’ve been together, it’s been at work or it’s been at my house. This is like our first real “date.”
"I’m glad you decided to come," I say, squeezing her hand. "I know things have been tough lately, but I hope today can be a good distraction."
"It already is. You distract me from a lot of things.”
I laugh and squeeze her hand. “Oh really? How’s that?”
“Because I should be thinking about which carnival game I want to win, but instead I’m thinking about…” she glances at Charlie and Hannah to see if they are close enough to hear us. She lowers her voice before finishing what she wants to say, “...about what you’re wearing or not wearing under your bear costume.”
I see a little red in Violet’s cheeks as she admits what she’s thinking.
“How about I let you find that out for yourself?” I suggest with a smile.
Violet tosses her hair over her shoulder, trying to act like my words don’t affect her at all. But I know she’s probably getting wet… right now.
I look at Violet and say a little more loudly so my dear sister and her boyfriend can hear us. "So, what do you want to do first?"
Violet thinks for a moment. "How about we start with the haunted house? I’ve always loved a good scare."
I grin, looking mischievous. "Haunted house it is."
Hannah and Charlie, dressed as a pumpkin and a squash respectively, walk beside us. Hannah laughs. "I knew you were going to say that, Vi. You always were the brave one."
We head towards the haunted house, weaving through the bustling crowd. Not everyone, but most people, are in costumes. I don’t think anyone looks nearly as good as Violet does, though. The fox was the perfect choice to compliment her hair… and her curves.
As we reach the entrance to the haunted house, a creepy voice greets us from within. "Enter if you dare!"
I glance at Violet. She’s making a mock scared face. At least, I think it’s mock scared. Maybe it isn’t, and I should be holding her just a little closer. I squeeze her hand. "Ready?"
"Ready," she says, squeezing my hand back. Hannah and Charlie lag behind, so it falls to me to be the leader. I tug Violet inside. Despite the bright daylight outside, this building is completely dark. The windows have been taped over so that once we turn the corner, the room is completely black.
The sound of eerie music floats around us. I can feel Violet’s presence right behind me, her hand warm and steady in mine. A light suddenly pops on in front of us to illuminate a freakishly big spider. I startle, Violet squeals, and I pull her closer to me and the spider, showing her how fake it is.
“Aww, is Violet scared of some terrifying paper maché? You’re right. They really did a terrible job making it. Their craftsmanship is downright heart-wrenching.”
Violet giggles, but I feel her inching closer toward me. “I’m glad I have a bear with me to scare away the creepy crawlies.”
I cock an eyebrow. “So where do I land in the man or bear debate?”
Violet’s eyes light up, and a breathtaking smile breaks across her face. “You. Every time.”
I smile back, not wanting to take my eyes off her, despite the atmosphere around us. “Good.” I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead, not caring if Hannah and Charlie see.
I hear them behind us, whispering about something, but they are content to let us keep the lead.
We turn up another corridor, and I hear something shuffling in the dark. I can tell an actor is about to jump out and scare us. Maybe I’m mean, but I grab Violet’s waist and pull her in front of me.
“Why don’t you lead the way? This haunted house was your idea.”
“I don’t–” But Violet doesn’t get to finish what she was trying to say.
Someone jumps out with a scary roar, and Violet leaps back into my arms, pressing her body into mine as she looks over her shoulder. Hannah screams behind us, and Charlie and I start laughing.
The actor growls at us again and swipes at us like he’s going to snatch Violet out of my arms. Getting into my role, I growl right back at him, pulling Violet away from him. He shuffles off into the darkness, and I silently thank him for being such a good wingman.
Violet snuggles into my chest. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
“There’s no going back!” Charlie calls. “Onward!”
We make it through the haunted house, emerging into the bright daylight with a sense of exhilaration. Violet’s hand is clammy in mine, and I notice that she doesn’t let go even though we’re safely outside now.
"That was awesome!" Charlie exclaims.
Hannah shakes her whole body like she’s getting rid of a sick feeling. "Vi, you weren’t as brave as I thought you were."
Charlie laughs. "You guys looked like you were in a horror movie."
Violet smiles, her cheeks flushing. "It was pretty intense."
I grin. “You just wanted an excuse to touch me. Admit it."
Hannah makes a face. “Please don’t get gross around me. You know what I think of this whole thing.”
As we move on from the haunted house, we wander through the festival, stopping at various booths and attractions. Hannah and Charlie want to stop and eat funnel cakes, but Violet pulls me onward. “Catch up with us later!” she calls over her shoulder.
I like that Violet wants to spend some time with just me, but as soon as we leave Hannah and Charlie behind, Violet seems to get quieter.
“Are you hungry?”
“Super, but I don’t want anything sweet.”
“Beer?” I ask, pointing at a beer cart set up at the end of a line of games.
Violet shakes her head. I tug her toward the cart. “Come on ! It may not be as good as my mixed drinks, but it’ll be something to loosen us up.”
“Are you saying I need loosening up?”
“No, I’m…” I decide to drop it. I don’t want to ruin the fun time we’re having with an argument. “What’s something that’s not sweet that you want, then?”
Violet points to a stand selling huge pretzels. I buy one for her, and she starts to eat it, closing her eyes and enjoying every bite. “Mmm, I haven’t had one of these since I was a kid, but it’s just as good as I remember it.”
As we keep walking, we come across a booth selling handmade jewelry. Violet stops to look at a delicate silver bracelet with tiny leaf charms. It’s beautiful, and I can’t help but admire the way it was handmade but looks professional.
I step up beside her. "Do you like it?"
She nods, feeling a bit shy. "It’s beautiful without being over the top."
I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet. "Let me get it for you."
She starts to protest, but I shake my head. "I want to, Vi. Consider it a gift."
She finally relents, shrugging. Once I’ve bought the bracelet, I reach for her wrist and put it on. “You know, foxes don’t normally wear jewelry.” Violet’s smile is teasing.
“Maybe not, but my foxy woman does.”
Violet laughs. “How many times are you going to call me that?”
“Until you let me take that suit off you.”
“I’m only wearing a bra underneath it,” she admits.
“No panties?” I whisper.
She bites her lip and shakes her head. I feel the heat starting to rush to my cock, but I force myself to think about something else. Violet and I will have our time later. Right now, I have to behave myself. Besides, I want to see what else this fall festival has to offer.
“You know… this is kind of like our first date,” I tell Violet.
“First date? We’ve…” But then Violet must realize what I just did. Sure, we’ve spent time together, but we haven’t really gone out and done anything.
“Having sex in the bar doesn’t count as a date. Or in your car,” I add before Violet can say anything. “And visiting your mom in the hospital definitely doesn’t count as a date.”
“What about living together? I mean, we cooked that one meal together.”
“Not a date. We haven’t gone out and done anything together before. So… this is the best first date we’ve ever been on.”
“This can’t be a first date because we’ve already slept together, so… you don’t sleep with someone and go on a first date with them later.”
“Apparently, that’s how we do it. So…” I snatch a bite of her pretzel. “Happy first date to us both.”
Violet laughs and moves her pretzel out of my reach.
After a while, Hannah and Charlie find us, their faces glowing with excitement. "Hey, we’re going to check out the hayride. Do you guys want to join us?"
“I think that’s for kiddos twelve and under,” I say, just to irritate her.
“No!” Hannah protests. “Adults can ride it too.”
“Especially when they have claws to make people do what they want,” Violet points to the ridiculous claws on my bear costume.
“Does that mean you want to, Violet?”
She nods. "Seems like fun."
We all head towards the hayride, joining a group of festival-goers waiting for the next wagon. When the tractor and trailer come back, we climb onto the wagon, settling into the hay bales with anticipation.
As the wagon starts moving, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. The gentle rocking of the ride makes it easy for me to slip my arm over Violet’s shoulders.
"You doing okay?"
She nods but keeps her eyes transfixed on the reds and oranges of the trees around us. "Doing great.”
I squeeze her hand gently. "I’m glad."
The hayride takes us outside of the festival and through a huge field. I listen to Hannah chattering about the sales their booth has made as I study Violet out of the corner of my eye. She seems worried about something, and she has a reason to be. She’s got a lot going on. I decide to just let her brood about whatever needs her attention. When she’s ready to share something with me, she will.
When the hayride finally ends, we make our way back to the booth that Hannah and Violet are supposed to be running.
Hannah thanks her friend and settles behind it once again. I pull Violet closer to me. “How much longer do you have to stay here and keep selling cinnamon bread?” I pick up one of the packages and examine it. It looks delicious.
“I should stay with Hannah until it closes. I don’t want to leave her with all the work.”
Charlie takes Violet’s stool behind the booth, and Violet briefly glances at him before looking back at me.
“Looks like they might have it… if you want to come back with me and help me take this bear costume off.”
“Let me just… ask Hannah,” she says eagerly. “I don’t want to leave her to do all the work. That wouldn’t be fair.”
Violet and Hannah talk for a few minutes before Violet returns. She grabs my hand and pulls me closer. “Let’s go back to your house,” she whispers in my ear.