Chapter 29 Audrey
Chapter twenty-nine
Audrey
Rhett’s hand never left mine as we drove to the fair. He cranked country music and sang along to every word, putting on a show for me as I laughed, watching him with a goofy smile plastered to my face. Rhett was so unapologetically himself. I was almost jealous.
Even after all his loss, he was still able to be a person that exuded sunshine, and it made falling for him that much easier. All my doubts, all my questions, all the sadness from my talk with Penny…they all disappeared when I showed up here today.
All I can think about now is that I get a whole weekend with him.
And as his old truck rumbles to a stop in the field we are parking in, I gaze out the window, taking in the fair.
The dusky sky is the backdrop to a Ferris wheel with twinkling lights, tall striped tents, and an array of people; both young and old, with smiles on their faces.
“You ready?” He smiles at me, and I nod, unbuckling myself. The last special date I was on was months ago, when Jackson chartered his father’s private jet to take us to his family’s mountain lodge. He worked the entire time on the airplane and didn’t even notice I had drastically changed my hair.
I still wonder what I saw in that.
Rhett jumps out of the truck, a sexy grin on his lips as he all but runs to open my door. We walked hand in hand towards the entrance. “I know you’re probably used to much nicer things, but I hope you at least have a little fun tonight.” He squeezes my hand.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, Rhett. I mean it.”
He nods at me, and I hope I can show him how true it is.
“It’s kind of a Roseville tradition to come to this fair. It doesn’t matter if you’re young, old, rich, poor, a farmer or an attorney, everyone shows up for this. That’s why I love it.”
Rhett’s eyes lit up, his lips pulling into a smirk, and I can’t contain my smile either.
“Well then, you’re taking my virginity. I’ve never been to a fair.”
Rhett’s boots stopped in his tracks, and he squares off with me. “You’re screwing with me. Never?”
Biting my lip, I shake my head.
“My parents would’ve never taken us. I spent every summer at camp or with an au pair.”
Rhett rubs his chest, his thoughts stirring in that clever head of his.
“Well, I’m honored to be your first.” He pulls me into his side.
Once inside the fairgrounds, the rest of the world was shut out.
It was silly. I mean, I had traveled to some of the most exotic, beautiful places in the world with Jackson and with my parents.
And even though I might’ve felt alone, or the trip wasn’t exactly how I wished it would go, I could appreciate it and be grateful for the experiences.
But something about being here tonight ignites a magic in me. As we walk through the crowds of people, kids in awe of everything around them, the aroma of carnival food, a tightness forms in my chest. I’m struck with a nostalgia for a memory I never had.
I’ve spent so many years clinging on to things I thought would make me happy.
Or at the least, things I thought I should want to cling on to, like expensive weddings, and big houses, and jobs with impressive titles.
But now, on this simple date, with a guy who looks at me like the stars that shine above, I wonder what it would be like to let go of all those things. The things I once thought made me me.
It’s scary, maybe the scariest thing I ever asked myself.
Rhett tugs on my hand, turning us down another row of games, and I let myself return to him.
“That looks like Mabel!” I call out with my arm draped around Rhett’s as we lazily meander towards a game tent. There’s a bloodhound stuffed animal prize hanging at the water gun game.
“She would lose her mind if she saw that.”
“Let me get it for her!” I take a step toward the booth, which is already filling up with teenagers and kids.
“You know these games are all rigged, baby,” Rhett teases and I scoff, sitting down on the red stool anyway.
“All games are rigged if you don’t know what you’re doing,” I snap back, slapping a few dollars on the counter. All the years of watching Jackson gamble has given me a false sense of assurance—if you’re just confident enough, usually you win.
“You played this before?” Rhett bends over, his lips near my ear, sending shivers down my sides as his husky voice fills my ears.
“Well, no, I’ve never played this one, but I was on my high school's archery team. This can’t be harder than that.”
The game bell rang, and I’d never pushed my thumbs so hard before. I didn’t flinch, didn’t take my eyes off the stream of water until the buzzer rang again, and number four lit up.
“I won! I won!” I jump up, the teenager running the game looking less than impressed. Leaping up, I wrap my legs around Rhett’s waist, as he cups my ass and kisses me.
“Take your pick from the middle row,” the game attendant mumbles unenthusiastically, and Rhett drops me to my feet. Without hesitation, I pointed at the bloodhound.
“So, the lesson is, never tell Audrey Elson she can’t do something,” Rhett whispers in my ear, one arm around my shoulder as we walk away, victorious.
“Damn straight,” I nod, clutching the cheap stuffed animal.
“Rhett Anderson!”
He stops in his tracks, and we both turn to look over our shoulders. A woman his mother’s age walks towards us, a funnel cake in one hand.
“Mrs. Little, how are you?” Rhett lets go of me, pulling the older woman into a hug. She beams up at him, a glint in her eyes, admiring him like a mother would.
“I’m doing great, my grandkids are around here somewhere. They go nuts here.” He chuckles kindly.
“Mrs. Little, this is Audrey. My girlfriend.”
Her smile changed to something more polite, as she held out her hand, shaking mine.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I reply, noticing her glance at the stuffed animal in my arms.
“Kylan mentioned you were seeing someone.” She winks at Rhett like it’s an inside secret.
“Of course, he did.” He cocks his head back. “Mrs. Little is Ky’s mom. She was also my third grade teacher.”
“I sure was and let me tell you something…Rhett was a good student but boy was he mischievous. I never thought you and Kylan would graduate high school!”
“Ahh, Mrs. Little. I turned out okay, I’d say.”
She touches his arm fondly and looks pointedly at me. “He’s like my second son. He’s a special one. This man rebuilt my entire porch after the hurricane last year and didn’t even charge me.”
“That’s what you do for family,” Rhett replies, and an unwelcome tightness returns to my chest.
What would Rhett think of me once he knew my family dynamic or the lack of one?
That’s why he will never meet them. That’s why he will remain my little secret.
We spent the rest of the night trying copious amounts of food I didn’t even know you could deep fry. Rhett said he saved the best for last, twirling me around as he walked backwards, boots stomping, blue eyes shining in the lights, leading me to the Ferris wheel entrance.
I peer up at the large white and red spinning wheel, and bells go off in my head.
“Oh, no thank you. I’m afraid of heights,” I admit feeling childish, but Rhett pauses, pulling my hand up to his chest. My palm rests on his thick muscle, the warmth of him radiating down my fingertips.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Audrey. Promise.”
I bite my cheek, wanting to fight against it, but his thumb draws faint circles in my palm.
Excitement lingers in his blue eyes, so I nod.
With nervous flutters in my stomach, I let him guide me closer.
There’s almost no line, and while he gives the attendant our tickets, his hand not leaving mine, I smile, pushing my fear deep down.
Rhett lets me scoot onto the red bench before getting in beside me.
He drapes his arm over my shoulders, and instantly I feel a little safer.
As the views of all the lights and people beneath us get smaller and smaller, my knuckles get tighter on the bar over my lap.
This is ridiculous. I’m nearly twenty-seven years old and about to have a panic attack on a Ferris wheel at the county fair in front of an impossibly kind and handsome man. This cannot be happening.
Rhett must sense my unease because he softly tilts my face towards his with his fingertips on my chin.
“Hey, hey.” Rhett softly smiles, all ruggedness gone. “Keep your eyes on me. I’ve got you.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I exhale deeply, then open them, focusing on Rhett. Scooting my body closer, until I was nearly on his lap, I let him continue talking.
“Okay, on a scale of one to ten, tell me how your first county fair experience is going?”
I laugh, taking a moment to ponder it.
“Other than feeling like I might fall to my death at any moment, it’s a ten.” I bite my lip, glancing sideways at him. He smirks.
“A ten? Wow, I really set the bar high here.”
“I’m serious! Truthfully, tonight is the most fun I’ve had in a long time,” I admit sheepishly.
Rhett’s brows twitch. “Really?”
“Is that embarrassing? That probably makes me sound like I don’t have a very fun life.”
Jackson would’ve never taken me here. His idea of a fun date was a day at the golf course, finished with two many scotches at the club his father owned. Something that entirely didn’t involve my preferences.
Rhett shakes his head. “Nothing embarrassing about that. You know what’s sad? The way society acts like we have to have less fun as we get older. It’s a scam. We need more fun as we age.” His voice is filled with conviction, and I study him closely.
“I’ve never met anyone like you, Rhett Anderson.” I rest my head on his shoulder. We ride like this for a moment until he clears his throat.