Page 82 of Carnival Mayhem

His words hit home, making me reconsider everything I thought I knew about our carnival family. Maybe we’re hiding for nothing.

Ty leans back in his chair, processing this new revelation. The silence stretches between us, but there’s no disgust or judgment in his expression—just genuine curiosity.

“But your secret’s safe with me,” he says, a small smile on his lips. “Not my business anyway.”

“Thanks, Ty,” I say, feeling the weight lift from my shoulders.

“You two are something else,” Ty chuckles, shaking his head. “Never thought I’d see the day when my best enforcers turned into lovesick puppies.”

“Watch it,” I growl, but there’s no real heat behind it.

“Hey, I’m not judging.” Ty raises his hands in mock surrender. “Just never seen either of you like this before. It... makes sense, though.”

Nash stands, stretching his long frame. “We should get back. Flora will be wondering where we are.”

“Can’t keep the lady waiting,” Ty smirks. “Go on, get out of here. And try not to murder anyone else without telling me first, yeah?”

I smirk as we head for the door. “No promises.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Ty calls after us, laughing.

Walking back to the trailer with Nash, my steps feel lighter than they have in years. The morning sun warms my face, and I can’t help but smile at Ty’s easy acceptance of our relationship.

Ten years. I’ve kept the fact I’m bisexual hidden, scared of what people would think. Scared of what Nash would think, considering I was attracted to him. How different things might have been if I’d been braver.

But then I think of Flora, probably still curled up in our bed, and realize it wouldn’t have worked without her. The way she fits between us and completes us...

My chest tightens with emotion: I love Nash and Flora. With his quiet strength and calculating mind, Nash has been by my side through everything. And Flora, our beautiful, broken angel who proved to be stronger than either of us imagined.

Together, we make sense in a way I can’t explain. Maybe that’s why it never worked—Nash and I were waiting for her, even if we didn’t know it.

36

FLORA

Istretch lazily in bed, savoring the warmth of the blankets on this Christmas Eve morning. The space beside me feels empty. Nash and Colt must have gotten up already. The carnival’s usual bustle is absent today since we’re on break until after Christmas.

Sitting up, I notice their pillows are cold. They’ve been gone a while. The trailer feels different in the morning stillness without their presence. I’ve grown so used to waking up between them, feeling their protective warmth.

I wrap myself in my soft purple robe and pad across the bedroom floor. The wooden boards creak slightly under my feet as I approach the kitchen. The living area is empty, too, though I spot coffee mugs in the sink.

The kitchen is unusually tidy for them. Colt usually leaves some evidence of his morning routine, and Nash typically has papers spread across the counter from reviewing show notes. But everything is put away, not a thing out of place.

Fresh snow has fallen overnight, coating the carnival grounds in white. The other trailers, with their frosted roofs, look like gingerbread houses. Somewhere in the distance, I hear faint Christmas music playing.

I step into the kitchen, the linoleum floor cold against my bare feet. The coffee pot is still warm, so they couldn’t have left long ago. I wonder what my two men are up to on this peaceful Christmas Eve morning.

I curl up on the couch with my coffee, pulling my favorite blanket around me. The warmth seeps into my bones as I inhale the rich aroma. The door swings open as I settle, and my boys stride in, bringing a gust of cold air.

“Where were you two?” I ask, taking in their flushed cheeks and serious expressions.

Nash shrugs off his jacket while Colt stomps snow from his boots. “Had to talk to Ty,” Nash says, running a hand through his dark hair.

“About what?” I ask.

“About you knowing the truth about the carnival’s darker operations,” Colt says, sitting beside me. “

My stomach tightens. I’d wondered when this conversation would happen. “How did he take it?”

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