Page 79 of Carnival Mayhem

“You seem unusually angry about it. What’s up?”

I growl and turn to him. “What’s up?” I shake my head. “You kept this side of the carnival secret from me since we joined the carnival.”

Nash’s expression drops, and he runs a hand through his hair. “Not quite. Ty didn’t bring me into that side of the operation until I was twenty-two. That was four years ago.”

“Right, but you had no fucking qualms lying about it for years to your best friend.”

Nash clenches his jaw. “Ty made the rules. He told me it had to remain between the four of us. Lars, him, and Phoenix.”

“And yet, you tell Flora at the drop of a hat?”

Nash’s lips quirk into a slight smile. “Are you jealous?”

I glare at Nash, my fists clenched at my sides. “Jealous? You think this is about jealousy?”

“I think you’re hurt that I kept secrets from you,” Nash says softly, stepping closer. “And you’re right. I should have told you years ago.”

“Damn right, you should have.” The anger deflates from me slightly at his admission. “We’re supposed to trust each other with everything.”

Nash reaches out, his fingers brushing my arm. “I do trust you, Colt. More than anyone. Keeping this from you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

I shake my head but don’t pull away from his touch. “Then why did you?”

“Because Ty ordered it. And because...” He pauses, looking uncertain for the first time tonight. “Because I feared losing you if you knew the truth about me. About what I’m capable of.”

“You really think I’d judge you?” I step closer, closing the distance between us. “After everything we’ve been through?”

Nash’s eyes meet mine, dark and intense. “No. I was being a coward.”

The last of my anger melts away at the vulnerability in his voice. Without thinking, I reach up and cup his face in my hands. Nash’s breath catches, his pupils dilating as I lean in.

Our lips meet hesitantly at first, then with growing intensity. Years of feelings pour into that kiss, making my head spin. Nash’s hands grip my waist, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss.

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard. Nash rests his forehead against mine, a small smile on his lips.

“No more secrets,” I whisper against his mouth.

“No more secrets,” he agrees, stealing another quick kiss. “I promise.”

“Now, let’s go and fix this mess,” I say, turning and walking out the door. Ty needs to know what’s happened. I hope he sees it Nash’s way because we’re all in trouble if he doesn’t.

I follow Nash into Ty’s office, still fuming about last night’s revelations. The morning sun streams through the dustywindows, casting long shadows across Ty’s desk, where he’s reviewing paperwork.

“Well, if it isn’t my star performers,” Ty says, looking up with a grin. “That Christmas show was something else. The crowd couldn’t take their eyes off Flora and Nash.”

“She’s a natural,” Nash replies, settling into one of the chairs.

I remain standing, my shoulders tense.

“More than natural,” Ty continues. “You two have done an incredible job training her. The way she moved on those silks... I haven’t seen anything like it in years. And the chemistry between her and Nash? Perfect.”

I shift uncomfortably, thinking of Flora sleeping back in our trailer, exhausted from everything last night. I want to tell Ty everything, but something holds me back.

“The ticket sales were through the roof,” Ty says, shuffling through some papers. “We might need to add another show next week if this keeps up. You’ve really struck gold with her.”

Nash shoots me a knowing look. “We told you she was special.”

“That you did.” Ty leans back in his chair. “I must admit, I had doubts when we brought her in. But she’s proven me wrong. Whatever you’re doing with her training, keep it up.”

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