17. Romeo
Romeo
Seeing Ivy Jade, sitting on the bench in the crowded park, felt like Christmas morning. Every time she came back into my little bubble, into my little world, it felt a little more like acceptance and hope.
It was starting to feel like our own little paradise, even.
Or maybe all that she was here for was the rings, which also made sense, but a guy could still dream.
Plus, our conversation earlier sent all sorts of feelings through me—two of which were hope and doubt. Doubt because… was there even a future for us? That shit about Antonio confused the fuck out of me.
Her eyes darted around the crowd, taking everything in, her fingers trailing over the length of her “do not scare” necklace.
It made me smile that she kept wearing that like it was her lifeline; I knew for a fact that she had to put her pride aside to wear it, and I’m sure she thought it clashed terribly with her outfit.
Really, she had nothing to worry about. I was going to keep her safe from the monsters no matter what—whether that was as High Jynx or as Romeo made no difference.
As we walked through the crowds of people, she held onto my hand, her other hand grasping onto my arm.
Without heels, she was so much smaller next to me, and I almost wanted to scoop her up in my arms. I imagined how much more she would feel protected then, my mind unable to behave itself as I envisioned the weight of her body at the center of my palms. I wanted that weight everywhere.
On my chest and abs, between my legs, sitting on my cock…
I didn’t just want to take Ivy Jade as my own. I wanted to devour her.
I cleared my throat, then looked down at her, and I could see her shivering slightly as she snuggled a little closer to my side.
“Here,” I said as I stopped, letting go of her hand and shrugging off my suit jacket.
I knew it would swallow her up, but it would also keep her warm.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” Her lips trembled, but I wrapped it around her shoulders anyway, and she slipped her arms through the sleeves.
I caught her hand again before I could overthink it and led her to the backstage building where we performers got ready.
It was bustling with life as we walked through the doors. Makeup artists hovered over performers dressed as creepy clowns, wardrobe stylists shrugged on ratted suits over zombies, and Freddy and Jason animatedly talked and laughed amongst themselves in the corner.
“This is where all the magic happens,” I whispered closely to Ivy Jade’s ear, her hand still snug in mine.
I watched her reaction as we slowly walked down the aisles; her eyes lit up with fascination as she observed the transformations in real time.
“This is what all those scary monsters actually look like,” I explained playfully.
She chuckled a little, her attention still roaming around, and she looked so beautiful like this—so unguarded and curious.
“So where do you transform into High Jynx?” she questioned, looking up at me with a curiosity that made me feel seen. My interests mattered to her. I wasn’t just a character anymore—I was a person she wanted to know.
But then, my thoughts shifted: would she ask to see me without my makeup?
Would she finally realize who I was under the bright lights as she studied my face and really looked past the disguise?
Would she recognize the familiarity of the way my nose sloped, or the shape of my eyes, or the outline of my lips?
Before I began to worry, a familiar voice called out my name.
I turned around to find Pennywise, wearing the classic clown outfit, just without the makeup.
I don’t think I even knew his real name—we all sort of called each other by our performer names.
We had been friendly since I got there, and he was kind enough to introduce me to some people and help me feel more at home.
“Hey, man,” I said, and we reached in for the half-handshake, half-hug.
I turned and slipped my arm around Ivy Jade’s shoulders without thinking; something about having her in my arms felt natural.
“This is Ivy Jade,” I said, glancing down at her.
“Ivy Jade!” he said enthusiastically. “What a nice name. Nice to meet you. I’m Pennywise.”
Her smile came easily. “I’ve heard of you,” she replied. “You’re a lot nicer in real life.”
He laughed and nodded. “I think we all are.” He gestured to me. “This guy, though? The nicest of us all. And definitely one of the more natural ones around here. I can’t believe it’s his first year!”
I was grateful for all the makeup I had on because I was sure my cheeks reddened at the compliment.
It was nice hearing those sorts of things, especially from a veteran performer.
I honestly felt like I had no idea what I was doing most of the time.
Sometimes I questioned my decision to leave behind a stable job, a stable life.
But then I remembered how miserable I was and how I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to really get to know Ivy Jade. I probably would have never bothered trying to talk to her if we were only together during the wedding festivities. I probably would have stayed far, far away from her.
I guess, in a way, it was meant to be. I just hoped she’d feel the same once she found out the truth.
“I believe it,” Ivy Jade responded, yanking me out of my thoughts. “He’s kinda creepy… a little sarcastic. But he’s definitely one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met.” She looked up at me through her lashes, then put her arm around my waist, holding onto me.
My heart sped, and the urge to kiss her was more overwhelming than ever. I suddenly felt so content and happy, like I'd start laughing abruptly from excitement.
“You two are cute,” Pennywise unknowingly interrupted the moment. “How long you guys been together?”
I cleared my throat nervously. I had no idea how to answer, but I was flattered he thought we were a couple.
“Two years on Halloween!” Ivy Jade responded effortlessly, playing along. “Can you believe how time flies?” She looked back up at me and winked.
“Congrats!” Pennywise exclaimed. “Well, hey. I'd better get my makeup on and get out there. Have a good night, and nice meeting you, Ivy Jade.”
We waved goodbye, and then we continued walking slowly in silence. I kept my arm around her shoulders, and she kept hers around my waist.
This was honestly the happiest I’d been in my entire life.
“Time really does fly,” I said. “The last two years have felt like what? Three days?”
She laughed and flipped her hair with her free hand, her eyes roaming the space again.
“Totally,” she played along. “Honestly… in a way, it feels like I’ve known you much longer.
I mean, you’re surprisingly easy to talk to, and you make me feel comfortable…
which is the weirdest thing I’ve ever said, considering I’m standing next to a giant clown. ”
Fuck. She dropped that so casually, so easily. She was pulling at my heartstrings; Ivy Jade was so much different from what I thought, and in all the right ways.
I slipped my arm from her shoulders and took her hand as I stopped in front of the booth where I got ready every night.
“I feel the same,” I confessed, dropping my chin and lowering my voice as I stepped close to her. "The part about feeling comfortable with you. Not the clown part."
"Ha-ha-ha, very funny..." she mocked, rolling her eyes a little bit.
Her arms snaked around me, and her eyes softened as she stared at my lips. My gaze dropped to her full lips, then back up at her gorgeous dark eyes.
“I’m really glad I met you,” she whispered.
I almost choked up. I had to tell her who I was. She deserved to know.
Just not yet. I wanted this to last just a little longer.
“I’m really glad I met you, too, Princess.”