Page 22 of Meet Me at the Metro

“Huh?”

We finally break past the line of trees, but my eyes don’t want to believe what they see as they take in the sight of the massively tall swing ride in front of me. The amusement attraction stands at least 200 feet high, its red lights and illuminated sign—The Star Flyer—doing nothing to lessen its horrifying appeal. With a racing heart, I watch the swing chairs lift, slowly rising higher into the air as they spin around the center post.

“We’re going on that,” he clarifies.

My stomach churns with fear. “Like hell we are!” I pivot on my heel and attempt to book it back from where we came from, but he pulls me right back to his side.

“Ah, ah, ah,” he reprimands. “We walked all this damn way, Nora. We’re getting on that ride.”

I grit my teeth. “Like. Hell. We. Are.” I tug and pull against his hold as I argue, “You didn’t tell me that you were taking me to my worst nightmare, Theo! You’re out of your damn mind if you think I’m getting on thatthing.”

“You’re getting on it, even if I have to drag your arse through the gate. Quit being a chicken.”

“I’m not a chicken. I’m a sane, rational woman who knows better than to playRussian Roulettewith death!”

“Oh my God. Would you stop being dramatic? You’re not going to die.”

“Dramatic?! Did you seriously just call me dramatic?”

“I sure as fuck did. You’re strapped in the entire time. It’ll be fun.”

“This is your idea of fun?” I scoff. Despite all of my protests, he’s still got a firm grip on me. “You’re crazy. You are actually freaking crazy!”

“Says the one who looks like she’s having a literal seizure right now over a damn amusement ride.”

“Oh, that was mean,” I shake my head in disbelief. “That was so mean, Teddy.”

He chuckles at my restlessness. “Nora, come on. Would you just chill the hell out and let yourself have some fun? I thought you said you wanted an escape tonight, huh?”

“I did,” I sigh, hating how wracked my nerves are. “I—I do.”

All too quickly, I remember everything that happened earlier that ultimately led me to come here with Theo tonight, and suddenly, I’m not so worried about the ride anymore.

He must notice the shift in my demeanor because he gently releases his hold on me. “What were you needing an escape from tonight?”

“My thoughts,” I admit without even a second of hesitation. Before I can even control them, tears are welling up in my eyes. “It’s just been a really hard night.”

“Come on,” he says, urging me to sit at a nearby iron bench. When I settle against it, he asks, “You wanna talk about what happened?”

“No,” I sniffle. I’m so embarrassed by how freely my tears fall, but I finally admit, “Yes.”

“Then talk,” he says softly, crouching before me. “What happened?”

“It’s a lot,” I mutter.

“I can handle a lot.”

I give him a doubtful look.

“Trust me.”

“Well,” I sigh, contemplating whether or not I should tell him. Part of me is hesitant, but another—intrinsic—part of me is convinced that I should, so ultimately, I confess, “Tonight, I found out that my boyfriend back home has been cheating on me.”

He winces. “Shit.”

“With my best friend.”

He winces harder this time. “What the fuck? That’s awful, Nora.”

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