Page 64 of Always Mine

How could I say no? “Let’s do it.”

We get in line and I pass out all the stuffed animals I won to the little kids waiting with us.

“Realizing I was right about the whole Annabelle thing, huh?” he whispers into my ear as we head onto the ride.

I roll my eyes, jumping onto the tiger when I get to it. “Hush and pick an animal.”

He hops on the peacock beside me and I cock a brow, surprised he didn’t choose the one in front of me. Paxton doesn’t like to be on the inside, says it makes him feel trapped. “Really?”

Grabbing the bar, he lifts a shoulder. “I like the peacock.”

“Right,” I mutter with a roll of my eyes, not at all believing him.

When the ride starts, I feel like I’m floating. I haven’t been on one of these in years. Not since the last time I was here with Paxton. I smile, closing my eyes and enjoying the nip of cold wind as it hits my cheeks, and focus on the up-and-down glide of my tiger as we pick up speed. It really has been so long.

Opening my eyes, I turn to look at Paxton and almost gasp when our gazes collide. It’s like every single memory of this very merry-go-round is hidden in their depths, and I’m flooded with them all. Every age of us, laughing and cheering flashing in front of me like a movie.

My chest is heaving as I stare at him, trying to figure out how in the hell I’m ever going to get over him.

Overus.

The answer is clear as day when the ride comes to a stop and he gets off, coming to stand in front of me.

I don’t.

Then he leans in, connecting our lips, sealing our past, present, and future.

TWENTY-TWO

Paxton

Between the radio playing some slow country song, the rise and fall of Wyatt’s chest under my cheek, and the way his fingers dance in my hair is making it really hard to keep my eyes open.

“I think it’s going to rain soon,” he mutters, and I feel the exhale of his breath running across my forehead as he speaks.

“Mmm,” is the only noise I’m capable of making as sleep wraps itself around me.

“Hey! Don’t fall asleep.” He jostles me slightly, trying to roll me off of him, but I don’t budge. I only octopus myself around him tighter.

“Stop moving. You’re ruining the moment,” I grumble, wanting to relax.

“Says the guy who’s bearing all his weight on my stomach,” he teases, trying to break my hold once more.

“You love it when I cuddle you.”

He tries to act all high-and-mighty, but I know better. He melts anytime I touch him. My big snuggle baby.

“I love to breathe more.” He does some little fake gasp thing, and it only causes me to laugh.

“Pffft, you’re acting tough, but you’re going to miss me when I’m gone.” It’s meant to be a tease, but I feel the way his whole body stiffens underneath me and just like that, I successfully ruined the good mood we were wrapped up in.

I try to sit up, needing him to know I was kidding, but he stops me. Using his arms and legs, he holds me against him and I feel the slight hiccup in his chest as he clings to me.

Damn it, now I feel like shit.

I’m leaving in a little over a month for college, and he’s been taking it really hard. We’ve known since winter that this was coming, but it doesn’t make it any easier. “Wy—”

“No, it’s okay. I know it was a joke,” he whispers sadly. “I just…. You’re right. I’m going to miss you so much.”

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