Page 28 of In The Dark
“How can I forget? My heart stopped when I watched that, Sky. I still can’t figure out how you didn’t hurt yourself.”
“So many core exercises.” She laughs and pats her stomach. “On Sunday night, Dominic looked at me and said,sure hope I don’t lose my grip. And he let me fall two seconds earlier than what we’ve rehearsed. It took me by surprise, I almost hurt my ankle, and I’m currently plotting his demise. Arsenic might do the trick.”
“What? The balls on him. Now I hate him. What’s his deal?”
“No clue, but he constantly antagonizes me. I wish he would break his leg so I could be free from him. Wait a minute.” Skyler grins. “Maybe I should accidentally push him off the stage so that becomes a reality.”
“I draw the line of retaliation at purposeful injuries. That would bring you down to his level, and you’re better than that.”
“I knew you’d use your teacher’s voice on me. Fine. I’ll behave, but I can’t promise I won’t knee him in the balls tomorrow night.”
I laugh. “NowthatI support. Maybe you remind him of an ex or something. That’s why he’s being such a jerk.”
“Please. He doesn’t have enough of a soul to have an ex, and if he did, I pity her. That man is the devil, Max, and I don’t want to spend three more weeks with him.”
“I’ll sit in the front row and boo him.”
“You’re far too nice to do that, but I appreciate you saying it anyway.”
Our Uber pulls up to the stretch of shops and restaurants outside Adventure Oasis, and when I climb out of the car, my mind wanders to Hunter.
It hasn’tstoppedwandering to Hunter.
Skyler always mentions how small the theme park world is. Gossip moves fast, and drama at one entertainment venue reaches the ears of the attractions attendants working at a ride on the other side of the park by midday. Everyone knows everyone else, and with each step I take, my heart skips a beat at the thought of seeing him tonight.
Is this his kind of scene? Does he have a ton of friends? Is he the life of the party?
I bet he would be.
Did I spend extra time on my hair and makeup before we left the house in case he happens to be here?
Maybe.
He gave me the best orgasms of my life. What’s a girl to do? Not hope she runs into the guy who got her off faster than any man has before?
“Are you okay?” Skyler loops her arm through mine and leads us to the security checkpoint. “You’re jumpy. Did you have another Brian situation?”
“I’m fine.” I flash her a smile, not letting myself scan my surroundings. I am not taking a deep breath in hopes I’ll catch a whiff of his cologne. I am not rolling my shoulders back and fixing my shirt to show off my chest. “Just excited. I’m on fall break. We haven’t had a night out together in what feels like months, and I can’t wait to dance.”
“That’s my girl.” Skyler drops her purse in the tray for security screening. She winks at the security guard when she walks through the metal detector, and I follow behind her. “How many shots will it take for you to get on the stage at the bar?”
“Too many. I’d be passed out before I made my first move, so I’ll leave that to you. My ass doesn’t shake like yours.”
“But you have such a nice ass.” She swats at my backside and I giggle, jumping on the moving walkway that leads us toward the bar. “And that skirt shows it off. You look like a knockout, Maxine Walters.”
“Thanks.” I spin, grateful for the night air making me feel alive. The red leather skirt is far shorter than anything I would normally wear out, and I paired it with a black tube top, black leather boots and a headband with horns. “Hey, did you call the pool company about the umbrella in the backyard?”
“I did, and the guy who worked on our pool says he doesn’t remember fixing anything, but he was in a rush that day, so he can’t be sure. I bet he popped the screw back in place and went on his way.”
“Yeah.” I nod, not liking the answer. I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that something isn’t right. “You’re probably right.”
When we get to the bar, Skyler flashes her work ID. A bouncer gives us wristbands and directs us to the top floor where other theme park employees are congregating. The lower level is packed with bodies on the dance floor, and we head straight for the alcohol.
“Gin and tonic,” Skyler says.
“I’ll take a rum and coke please,” I say loudly to the bartender. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”
“Please. At least you’re looking at my face and not my tits.” She grins and grabs two glasses. “It’s torture to be people’s eye candy, but it’s hard to argue with the tips I bring home to my wife every night.”
