Page 77 of Stick Around,
The four of us moved through the rides, going on a few more. As we walked, Enzo’s hand brushed against mine periodically, while Reid’s remained steady on my back. Kellan walked slightly ahead, pointing out games and attractions with the enthusiasm of a kid.
“I need a candied apple before we leave.” Kellan gestured toward a food stand with a line about ten people deep. “And another one of those turkey legs.”
My own stomach growled in response to Kellan mentioning food. What was it about the fair that made everyone so hungry? Did they pump hunger-stimulating chemicals into the air along with the cotton candy smell, or was it some Pavlovian response to the cacophony of sizzling food stands and colorfully painted vendors?
“I could go for some nachos and one of those frozen lemonade drinks.” I eyed the stand where a man was scooping electric orange cheese sauce over a mountain of chips.
Not long after we got in line, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to find a woman about my age, and her eyes widened when I faced her fully.
“Oh my god, it is you! You’re the hobby horse lady!”
My smile froze on my face. “Um, yeah, that’s me.”
“Can I get a picture? My friends are never going to believe this!” She didn’t wait for my answer, already stepping beside me and holding her phone up at a selfie angle.
She snapped several pictures before I could even wrap my head around what was happening. My mind raced to catch up with the reality that I was being recognized in public. This wasn’t exactly the claim to fame I’d imagined for myself when I was younger, dreaming of becoming an astronaut or the first female president.
“Thanks! This is so cool. My sister and I literally watch your videos, like, every day.” She glanced down at her phone, scrolling through the photos she’d taken. “Perfect! Catch you later!”
And just like that, she was gone, disappearing into the crowd while tapping away on her phone. I stood there, my smile still plastered on my face but something cold and hollow expanded in my chest.
Hobby horse lady. That’s who I was to the world now. Not Quinn, the elementary school teacher who spent hours creating lesson plans and worrying about her students. Just the woman who’d done something ridiculous and gone viral for it. Whostillwas going viral for it with my own free will.
“Quinn?” Reid’s voice floated through the fog settling around me. “You okay?”
I blinked back to reality, his face gradually coming into focus. The three men formed a protective semi-circle around me.
“I’m fine.” I waved a hand dismissively, as if I could physically bat away my conflicted feelings. “It surprised me, that’s all.”
“I’ve seen a few other people recognize you too.” Kellan stepped closer, his usual joking demeanor temporarily replaced with something softer. He tilted his head, studying me like I was one of the horses showing signs of distress.
Reid’s eyes narrowed slightly, like he could see straight through my flimsy pretense. “How are we feeling about this?”
“It’s nothing, really. It’s just weird to be recognized by strangers.” I folded my arms, suddenly feeling exposed in the middle of the fairgrounds.
“We can head back if you want.” Enzo’s offer was gentle, his eyebrows drawn together in concern.
“No! No.” I shook my head firmly. “We’re having fun. And Kellan needs his apple and giant leg of meat.”
I looped my arm through Kellan’s, moving us up in the line, desperate to move away from the moment and the strange emptiness that had settled over me.
The stars glittered overhead as we pulled into the ranch driveway, the truck’s headlights sweeping across the familiar buildings. I hadn’t said much on the drive back, just watched the dark landscape roll past my window, feeling the weight of being reduced to a viral joke pressing against my chest.
How was this going to affect my teaching career? People on the internet were a bit unhinged at times, which concerned me.
Reid opened the passenger door for me, and I hopped out of the truck. The cool night air brushed against my cheeks, a welcome reprieve from the stuffiness of my thoughts during the drive.
“I don’t think I’m ready to go inside yet.” I glanced toward the house where I could easily hide away in Reid’s room and lick my wounds.
Reid’s hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. “Come on.” He guided me toward the back of the truck, lowering the tailgate.
The metal creaked as he hoisted himself up and extended his hand to help me. I settled next to him, and Kellan hopped upbeside me, his shoulder pressed against mine. Enzo leaned his hip against the edge of the tailgate as he gazed up at the sky.
The night was quiet besides the soft rustle of leaves and crickets chirping in the bushes. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the familiar ranch sounds wash over me. In the city, silence meant emptiness, but here, quiet carried its own kind of living, breathing calm that somehow made the confusion I’d been carrying feel smaller.
“Quinn—” Kellan started but my own words tumbled out before he could ask me what was wrong.
“I don’t want to leave.” I took a deep breath. “I don’t want to leave here. The ranch. You three.”
