Page 17 of Lines We Cross
“I’ll take a whole sheet, please.” I pulled out forty dollars and scooted it under the glass. She took it before it blew away from the breeze blowing in the back door of the booth and pulled the clipboard back too. I held my breath, but she simply put the money in a little black lock box and shoved the clipboard to the side without reading it.
“Have a ton of fun today and don’t be a stranger.” She snort-laughed. “Who am I kidding? It’s Nickel Bay. Youcan’tbe a stranger!”
I gave her a winning smile and put my fist against the glass. She fist-bumped me back, the glass an awkward obstacle, but she didn’t seem to mind at all if the continued giggles meant anything.
Two steps away from the booth, Heath came up on my right side. “Hey, surprised to see you here so early when you were complaining last night about even coming.”
I gave him a dirty look. “You know exactly why I’m here. Nice try.”
Heath just shrugged his massive shoulders. “Not my fault you have a hang-up with Skylar. I just said hello like neighbors do and then asked for a picture for old time’s sake. Not a big deal.”
I folded my arms over my chest and went toe-to-toe with him. We were the same height, but he was definitely wider than me. I couldn’t have that much muscle on me or I wouldn’t be able to sprint the bases.
“Oh, really? Is that why you texted the picture to me and only me? For old time’s sake?”
He grinned and I was grateful for my arms currently occupied, otherwise I might have popped him one right in his arrogant face out of instinct.
“If you like her, say you like her,” he goaded me.
“’Course I like her. We all like her. We grew up with her.”
“Mhm. Sure we did. Just interesting that no one else would have cared I got a picture with her. Except you. That’s all I’m saying.” Heath spread his hands wide and then clapped me on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s stake out a spot by the stage, which also happens to be right next to the beer garden.”
Being that was the first agreeable thing he’d said all morning, I joined him, both of us walking across the grass and chatting about his meeting with the mayor. We had to pass right by Rae’s booth, but even though I stared her down, she pretended not to see us. The furious blush on her cheeks told me she felt my presence though.
For a fleeting second I felt bad about what I’d done.
7
Skylar
There’s nothing and no one who riles me up like Max Duke and his cocky, good-looking smirk.
I spent the whole day ignoring him, ever conscious of where he was at all times. I spoke to clients and potential clients, neighbors and old friends. The day should have been thoroughly enjoyable, but instead I snuck glances at Max every two point five seconds. I was disgusted with myself and confused by my own behavior. Max irritated me to no end, so why was I seeking him out?
When the crowds moved into the center of the grassy area to listen to the mayor’s speech, signaling the end of the fair and the beginning of the forest race, I packed up my booth, folding the table skirt and collecting the handful of stress balls that remained. When that was done, I tuned in to what the mayor was saying.
“So, that brings us to our annual forest race. Who’s excited to beat the record?”
Loud cheers went up from the crowd. The beer garden had been flowing all day with activity which would make the race even more entertaining for us spectators.
“Alright, without further ado, I’ll read out our participants’ names. When I call your name, come on up on stage with your partner.”
The mayor pulled out a clipboard and began reading off fellow citizens’ names. People started filing to the front of the crowd, energetic racers who’d dressed up for the occasion. I saw all variations of Bigfoots, from just the ears on a headband to the full costume. How anyone expected to run three miles through the forest of obstacles in a full Bigfoot costume was beyond me.
“Skylar Mulholland,” the mayor said into the microphone.
My body froze, sensing danger before my brain comprehended what was going on. Why had the mayor called my name?
Karen, her normal sunshine self, pushed me forward and it felt like all eyes were on me as I stumbled closer to the front of the gathering.
“Um, we seem to have a problem here. Skylar, where are you?” The mayor squinted into the crowd.
“She’s right here!” someone shouted back as I made my way to the front on shaky legs.
“There you are. Skylar, who’s your partner? You didn’t write one down on the clipboard.” The mayor’s voice boomed out from the loudspeakers.
I shook my head and tried to close my gaping mouth. There was no way I was doing this race. There must be some mistake.
