Page 66 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

Leon heads over, Blake’s keys in his hand. “Meet you there?”

“Yeah, but be discreet. I don’t want them getting pissed. But you’re with me, right? There’s no way this was an accident.”

He shrugs and glances back at Blake’s car. “Hard to tell, but given the circumstances, we shouldn’t take any risks.”

“Jasper went back upstairs?” I ask.

“Yeah, I think he needed to grab his meds or some shit but don’t worry, we’ve got your back.”

I pat him on the shoulder and crush my cigarette under my boot. I’m anxious as hell but have to keep my shit together for Blake. We’ll go to this show, come home, and I can finally give Blake her real gift. Nothing else better fuck that up.

We arrive at the venue,a large tent set up on the local fairgrounds. It’s packed with people, all dressed in costumes. Some went all out in full makeup or masks, one dude is walking around on stilts. Nervous laughter and screeches from guests waiting in line fill the air, along with an ominous music track coming from hidden speakers.

Falin pulls Blake ahead, both giddy with anticipation. “This looks so fun! Oh my God, look at that guy’s costume.” She’s pointing at someone dressed as the headless horseman. Even I admit the costume is pretty sick.

Flickering jack-o’-lanterns and fake cobwebs decorate the space while scare actors walk around tapping unsuspecting guests on the shoulder. They better not touch Blake. I’m in no mood for that shit.

“Let’s take some selfies,” Falin says, pulling out her phone. Her and Blake mush together and take a few pics with the tent as their background. “Damon, want one with Blake?”

I clear my throat. We haven’t taken any photos together as a couple. Blake has no idea how many I have of just her. “Of course.”

I pull her in, and we smile for the camera. Then she turns to kiss my cheek, but I move in time to capture her lips. Tasting her has my stomach muscles relaxing, my body feeling relieved. I’m trying my best to give her space to be with Falin, but it’s so fucking hard.

When we break apart, I hear someone whistling behind us in line. “I luuuv a pre-showww,” the guy slurs. He’s about six feet tall, dressed in a pirate costume and swaying on his feet, clearly drunk. “Kissss ‘er again… thisss time facin’ meee.”

“Lay off the rum, Jack Sparrow,” I say through gritted teeth. Falin still has her phone out, most likely recording.

“Myyy baaad.” He holds his hands up unsteadily and stumbles a step closer, knocking into the group of people directlybehind us in line. “But if ya don’ wan’ people ta look... then do tha’ shit at... at home, ya know?”

Blake grabs my hand and squeezes. “It’s not worth it.” She’s right, of course, and I need to be here for her. If I punch this prick in the face, I’ll get kicked out. “I think I smell cider. Can you grab us some?”

I huff and glance behind us, checking that the drunk pirate is done running his mouth. He stumbled back to his spot in line, thankfully. He’s lucky he backed off. I nod and ask if they want anything else, before ducking under the ropes and walking in the direction of the food stands. I fill my lungs with the scent of smoke and spices that linger in the air, letting them calm my nerves. I could use another cigarette but I don’t want to let Blake out of my sight.

I reach the stand and order three spiked hot ciders and some kettle corn, paying with cash. While I wait, I check my phone.

Leon: We’re here. Jas is pretty messed up from his meds. Don’t know how much help he’ll be, but I’ll hang out around the line. I got us tickets too.

Me: Perfect, thanks. Keep an eye on a pirate behind us. Guy’s fucking wasted and shooting off his mouth.

Leon: Got it.

The line’s moving by the time I make it back to them with our drinks. Once inside, we find seats close to the front. It’s set up like a circus, with a large stage in the middle and seating all around. The entire tent is bathed in red light, while fog machines spew mist that creeps heavy along the ground. That eerie music is louder in here, even over the chatter of at least a hundredpeople. Blake’s legs vibrate with excited energy as she drinks her cider.

“This is so good,” she says. “A few of these and I’ll be buzzed for sure.”

I drink some of mine and feel the warm burn slide down my throat. She’s right, they didn’t skimp on the booze. This many people in such a crowded space makes me uneasy. It was different when we were outside, but in here, it’s like the tent is swallowing us whole. A couple dressed as zombies squeezes past us and slides in next to Blake, so close that their thighs touch. I grab her hand and gently tighten my hold, taking another long chug of my cider.

“You okay?” she whispers against my ear.

“Yeah, fine. It’s just crowded in here.” She wraps her hands around the back of my neck and pulls me in for a soft kiss. I breathe in the scent of her hair, and savor the taste of her lips, feeling my pulse calm.

“‘Nother freee showww,” a slurring voice says behind us.Fucking perfect.I don’t need to turn to know it’s that pirate asshole again. He makes obnoxious kissing noises and moans, “Kissssyyy...hic…kissshyyy.”

All the things I’d like to do to him play through my mind like a slow motion montage. How I’d drag him out of this tent by his throat and throw him down in the dirt. I’d pluck his eyes out one by one for daring to look at Blake. The sounds of his screams would be my own personal symphony. I’d let the notes float in the air until I cut his pathetic tongue out and shove it down his throat.

Blake runs her fingers through my hair, scratching my scalp with her nails and I blink, coming back to the present. “Look, I think it’s starting.”

A spotlight shines on a guy dressed in full skeleton paint as he takes center stage. “Creatures of the night, welcome toNightmare Manor, where vampire vixens and sinister sirens will bewitch and entrap you with their unholy appeal. Where ghoulish glamor and macabre masks will awaken your deepest and darkest fantasies. Our spectral performers and phantom entertainers will titillate your senses and chill your bones. Witness acts that defy both gravity and mortality, as our dangerously alluring cast blurs the line between ecstasy and terror. Exciting, isn’t it? But heed my warning: those with the blackest of hearts will find themselves a permanent home inside these walls. If your soul remains pure, untainted by the seductive darkness that permeates this place, you’ll find the exit to your right. For the rest of you... well, we hope you’ll enjoy your stay in eternity.”

---