Page 66 of The Pact

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this excited about anything—tonight, I’m going to embrace it.

The great thing about small town events is that there aren’t long lines, unlike in Atlanta, where waiting an hour wasn’t uncommon. We’re let onto the ride immediately.

The five of us cram onto the bench of the car. I’m pressed up against Damian and Wesley, however, I’m too excited for the ride to be nervous about their proximity.

“Wes!” a voice screeches out from another car. A woman is waving her hand excitedly—he returns it with his own polite wave and a warm smile. I hate the tinge of jealousy that hits my chest. I have no real claim on him.

The music and dinging starts up as the car swirls lazily in a circle. Wesley grabs the round disc in the middle.

“Wanna go fast?” He asks deviously. I nod vigorously.

“Oh god,” Sutton groans. Wesley takes it as a challenge.

His powerful hands are pulling at the disc with all of his strength. It’s the first time I notice the veins in his hands that run up his forearms. It shouldn’t, yet something about the sight makes my breath hitch. No, it’s definitely the speed of the car picking up, not Wesley, I correct.

He doesn’t let up—soon we’re whipping around and around. I throw my hands up and squeal in delight. Wesley is the only one sharing in my excitement. The others look like they might be sick.

When the ride comes to a stop, I can barely walk and I’m laughing uncontrollably. I know I look deranged, but I don’t care. I stumble into Wesley.

“Sorry,” I giggle, trying to right myself.

He steadies me. “Didn’t realize we had an adrenaline junkie on our hands.”

Sutton blows out a long breath. “Bro, you should have seen her on my bike.” His brows raise and something I don’t understand passes between them.

“Good to know,” Wesley mutters.

“Can we do something a little slower next?” Cole asks, looking a little green.

I look around and point out the carousel. Then the bumper cars and the musical express. They follow me as I drag them to each one.

“Okay, one more and then we can get food.” I put my hands up in prayer, pleading that they’ll indulge me one last time. “The Ferris wheel and then we’ll eat, I swear.”

Cole and Sutton put their hands up simultaneously, protesting. “I don’t do heights,” Sutton admits. Cole nods in agreement.

I frown a little, although it’s fine. They’ve been good sports. “Let’s eat.” I search for the concession stand. “Over there.” I point behind Sutton.

“No,” Damian says sharply. “You want to ride the Ferris wheel. We’ll do that first.”

“It’s alright,” I assure him. “I’m not going to make them go if they don’t like heights.” I’m heading in the direction of the food when I’m yanked back. “Hey!”

Turning, I find Damian’s hand wrapped around mine as he pulls me in the opposite direction. “Wes and I will take you on the Ferris wheel. We don’t mind heights.”

As much fun as tonight’s been, I don’t have any desire to get on that ride alone with them. I pull my hand out of his grip. “No, it’s fine. Really.”

Damian turns to face me. “Do you have a problem with us taking you?”

“What? No,” I lie. No sense in pissing him off by telling him the truth. I try to keep my expression flat as he studies me.

“Okay then, let’s go.” He takes my hand again, leading me towards the line to get on.

Worry knots my stomach at the thought of being alone with them. Damian’s grip around my throat just this morning is reason enough for me to feel this way.

Five minutes later, I’m seated between the two men with the bar pulled down across our laps. We make the slow rotation up and with darkness finally stealing the last bits of light, all I can see are the flashing lights of the carnival and the pitch black beyond our little town. It’s so beautiful and a welcome distraction from my anxious thoughts.

In the middle of my admiration at the peak of the ride, I feel the rocking start. At first, I think it’s a gust of wind. Glancing over, I see Damian leaning forward and then back. He’s tossing all of his weight into the metal bucket until it tips forward.

“Damian!” I screech. “Stop it!” But my alarm only makes him continue.

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