Page 7 of Vulnerate

I’m cut off from arguing by our driver mumbling, “Whenever she wants me to.” The opportunity is too good to pass up, so I do the sensible thing and shut my mouth.

My eyes are still covered when we come to a stop and the door opens, but Tali doesn’t move until Val is stood in front of me blocking everything with his body. He still has his glasses on and turns giving me his back as he squats down instructing me to get on. When I don’t move he taps his back. “Up, birthday girl.”

I’m blushing as I wrap myself around Valentin and goosebumps rise on my skin as he strokes my thighs to help me up. His hands don’t leave my skin as he raises to his full height, he holds them tighter around his waist and jolts my body up.

“Hold me tighter so you don’t fall.”

Nodding because I’m incapable of words, I don’t move, and he strokes down my legs, locking my ankles together. Tali comes to our side, throwing my backpack over his shoulder and handing us wristbands as he scans the area.

“Let’s go find me a girl who’ll let me sleep inherbed.”

Val is busy putting my band on as I scout the area knowing my best friend’s type.Lowering my voice so we’re not overheard, and don’t give away our plan, I get the information I need.

“Am I pretending to be your sister again or a different plan?”

The few times we’ve went to a party we’ve always had our stories straight — I’m his wingwoman, talking him up and getting information from places he can’t, like bathroom lines. He tilts his head to the side with a smile like a puppy and shrugs as he steps back looking from the top of my head to his brothers shoes.

“You look like you’re with him, I’ll pretend to be the lonely third wheel.”

My heart rate speeds up at his dumbass observation and I’m glad I’m on his back so Val can’t see my reaction as he walks us into the amusement park.Resting my head on my bicep, I stare at his profile like a creep. He doesn’t look at me and squeezes my thighs playfully.

“What you looking at Dani mine?” Val softly asks.

I like that better than the nickname I can’t translate even though it’s said jokingly because I’d do anything to be his. Moving my lips closer to his ear so Tali doesn’t overhear, I whisper, “Who said I’m yours?”

Our lips nearly brush as he turns his face and my own heart eyes are reflected back at me in his shades as one word comes out, low and deadly with no room for disagreement. “Me.”

I think I mumble okay, but I’m too busy trying not to fall off his back and stare ahead while telling my stupid heart not to listen to him.

He’s just being a flirt, getting under my skin and playing up the part we were given. Anticipation replaces my crush as we go to the first rollercoaster. I hate them and love them. The thrill of feeling like I’mflying combined with the fear of falling mixed into something new. The seats are in two’s and Tali doesn’t even give us a second look as he sits two rows behind, striking up conversation with his seat mate.

Valentin sits me on my seat and leans over me, his smile widens as he hears his brothers flirting.

“If I get scared do you promise to hold my hand?”

I look through the gap, but I can’t see who Tali’s sat beside and he talks shit about being afraid of heights to get sympathy. “The lovebirds promised to stop me falling out, but they forgot about me, and what if I have heart attack?”

Soft giggling reaches my ears as I’m rudely pulled away from looking at him and the belt is secured around my waist then the guard is pulled over my head, pressing into my hips. Val isn’t even apologetic as his jaw tenses, and he grits, “Look ahead.”

He gets in his own seat, and I haven’t learnt my lesson from the last time as I ask, “Or what?”

Val pauses, holding the metal handles to pull the guard down, and his voice is low, causing me to move in so close that the cushioned foam is digging into my cheek. “Or you’ll hurt yourself.”

Oh, he’s just being nice in his own stupid way.

I nod and look at the track as I wipe my hands on my thighs then grip the handles with white knuckles, the asshole laughs and lightly taps my foot with his as he finishes securing me in. He copies Vitali’s attempt at flirting as he smiles again.

“You can hold my hand if you’re scared.”

The fake offer has barely left his mouth and I hold my hand out, accepting it, threading our fingers together. He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles with a promise.

“You’ll be fine.”

If he does it again I’ll be better.

Val doesn’t let go of my hand as we’re propelled forward, or as we race around the track. He doesn’t scream or shout while I’m roaring with laughter. The coaster is too fast for life to sink in, adrenaline has taken over, and nothing else matters, but getting my next breath. Everything I run away from slams into me as we come to a stop, the empty home, my parents absence that’s measured in years when the time I’ve spent around them could be counted in days, soI force a smile on my face as we get out of our seats, and I don’t let it drop the rest of the day. My problems will be at home waiting for me, and I’ll stay out for as long as I can, so I never have to face them.

THREE

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