Page 22 of The Brothers Next Door

Chapter 10

Layla

Wow! My heart was rapidly beating in my chest and it hadn’t anything to do with the roller-coaster coming to a stop at the exit.

“Sorry for the trouble, please rest assured we pride ourselves on providing safe and well-maintained equipment,” the attendant told us as we departed.

“It happens.” I smiled at him as I walked past. It certainly didn’t deter me from wanting to ride the rest of the rides I’d be able to while wearing a dress. Had I known this was where we were going to end up then I would have worn jeans.

Placing his hand at the small of my back, Darrin steered me towards the games section, where we spotted Nate. Sure enough, he was hard at work at the ring toss game. Just as we reached his side, he scored the golden jug, the ring slipping over the neck perfectly.

“We have ourselves a winner, ladies and gentlemen!” the teenaged carnie with a vibrant red mohawk, and an excessive amount of facial piercings called out to the crowd.

“Sweet, we got here just in time to witness your big win.” Smiling at him, I stepped out of Darrin’s grasp and gave Nate a quick side hug.

“Which one would you like, sir?” the carnie asked, motioning to the massive bears hanging overhead.

“Which one?” Nate asked me, putting an arm around my shoulders and giving me a squeeze.

Chewing on my lower lip, I smiled. No one had ever won me a bear at a carnival before. I felt giddy, like a little kid. It didn’t take me long before my eyes spotted an adorable grey koala bear. “That one.”

“The beautiful lady made a great choice.” After a couple of minutes of struggling, the carnie was able to unhook the koala from the overhead railing and carefully lowered it to the counter top. Stepping up to it, I grabbed the koala and hugged it to me, though it was so big I couldn’t even get my arms all of the way around it.

“I don’t even know how I’m going to be able to get this home.” I laughed.

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll love riding the Q train.”

“Thank you.” I got up on my tippy toes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, for a moment, in my excitement, forgetting Darrin was at my side.

I kept it in my arms as we continued to walk throughout the park, handing the bear off to Nate whenever a ride struck my fancy. As our last activity at the park, I managed to get Nate to ride the Wonder Wheel - which was more or less like a ferris wheel -with a little sweet talking on the condition it wasn’t one of the rocking cars. Darrin stayed back with the koala.

“Thank you for giving it a try for me. The view from the top is amazing.”

“I’d have been happy to just take your word on it,” Nate retorted with a smile, though I could see the nervousness in his expression.

The attendant opened the door and ushered us in. The car rocked as we sat down across from each other. I looked out and my gaze locked with Darrin’s. I gave him a wave as the wheel began to move.

As the wheel began to slowly turn, Nate leaned forward and took my hands into his. “Have you had a good time tonight?”

“I have, thank you.” Though I had one concern. I’d kissed Darrin and I felt guilty, like I had cheated on Nate.

I cringed. I had to tell him, I was never a good liar, and had no desire to start now. “I have something that I need to tell you.”

“Sure.” His smile widened, but quickly faded replaced with concern. “What’s the matter? You just said you had a great time.”

Deciding to just say it would work best. I replied, “I kissed your brother.” Oh God, I sounded like I should be on an episode of Jerry Springer.

“I know. Last night, you thought he was me. Not a big deal.”

“No.” I shook my head at him. “I mean, earlier, when the roller-coaster was stuck at the top.”

“Ohhh.” He sat back in the seat, releasing my hands.

I cringed. That wasn’t a good sign.

“Would you like to start dating him? Exclusively?”

“I don’t…” I wasn’t sure what to say to that. I didn’t know myself. “It was a kiss. It happened. This situation is unorthodox and I’ll admit to being confused.” I gave him a weak smile. “In a perfect world or if I were a different person then I’d get to be with both of you.”

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