Page 208 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol 4
"Now it's time for the Ferris wheel."
"If you insist." Before I could slide down his back, he started walking back toward the pier. I tightened my hold on his shoulders and nestled my face into his neck. I don't think anyone had ever carried me piggyback style in public. Besides for when I was a kid with my dad. There was something so comforting about it. I loved how carefree Tyler was. He didn't care about what anyone else thought. He just wanted to make me happy. I closed my eyes. I wanted to remember this moment. I couldn't think of a better way to sear it into my memory than by focusing on how whole I felt.
When we came to a stop in the line next to the Ferris wheel, I slid down his back. I didn't even bother to look up. No matter what, I knew I was safe when I was with Tyler. There wasn't anything to be scared of.
"You don't seem hesitant at all anymore," he said as he smiled down at me.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe you're rubbing off on me."
He laughed as he scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I don't know about that."
"What? You're probably the bravest person I know."
"You do remember that a few days ago you called me a coward, right?"
"Which I didn't mean. Obviously. Really you were just being an asshole and I was mad at you."
He raised both his eyebrows. "I don't know which one is more offensive...being an ass or being a coward."
"It doesn't really matter. You're neither of those things." I cleared my throat. "Speaking of being brave, you're going to be careful right?" It had suddenly hit me just how dangerous his new career was. I'd be worried about him.
"We're up," he said.
I didn't have time to focus on the fact that he hadn't answered my question. Because as soon as I stepped up to the ride, my stomach seemed to drop. How was the flimsy looking bar supposed to protect me from falling to my death? I gripped Tyler's hand even tighter as we sat down.
"Trust me, you're going to love this, Hails."
Him calling me by my nickname soothed me slightly. But I felt like I was going to be sick when the cart swayed forward and we started rising into the air.
Missing Pieces - Chapter 44
Tyler
Thursday
Hailey squeezed my hand so tightly that it almost hurt.
"I'm right here, nothing bad is going to happen to you."
She gave me an uneasy smile.
I wasn't sure if it was because at this time tomorrow I wouldn't be here with her, or because she was so nervous about being this high up, but it made me feel like shit either way. Was I doing the right thing? I couldn't be there for her. I'd be on the other side of the country. If her dad didn't get better, she needed someone that could be there for her.
"Oh my God," she said and leaned her head against my shoulder.
It took me a second to realize she was actually admiring the view instead of being terrified of it.
"It's breathtaking."
I wrapped my arm behind her back as we stared out at the horizon. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful spectrum of colors across the water. If I listened closely I could even hear the waves splashing over the laughter of the people on the pier. It really was amazing. And not just because of the view. But because of the beautiful girl beside me that trusted me enough to face her fear of heights. "This is the best sunset I've ever seen."
"Mhm."
I glanced down at her and laughed. Her eyes were shut tight. "Open your eyes, Hails. You're missing it."
She shook her head.
I put my hand on the side of her face. "Open your eyes."
