by L.H. Cosway
The tent was packed and thanks to King’s connections we had fantastic ringside seats. Trev barely took his eyes off me the entire time and I couldn’t stop thinking about our quickie back at the apartment. Needing some sort of contact, I took his hand in mine and rested it on my thigh. His attention turned heated just as the house lights dimmed, signalling the start of the show.
We were treated to clowns and acrobats, lion tamers and stuntmen. I thought the Running on Air cast would fit right in with this lot, seeing as though they all shared a similar interest: risking their lives for the sake of their passion.
I bent close to Alexis, who was sitting on the other side of me, and asked, “Which ones are your friends?”
“King knows all of them, but one of his best friends is on next. He’s a fire breather,” she said, and winked with giddy excitement. “Just wait till you see.”
My brows shot up as King grumped, “I heard that.”
Alexis grinned happily. “I know you did.”
The ringmaster was King’s half-sister. It was bizarre because she was well into her sixties, with bright, dyed-red hair and a thick cockney accent. She was the last person I expected to be related to someone as urbane, well-spoken and obviously upper class as Oliver King.
“Damas y caballeros, I give you Jack McCabe,” she announced, and a slow rock song started to play. It had a thick, heavy bass line that seemed to compliment the tall, muscular man who stepped into the ring. He had long hair, eyes so dark you’d swear they could see right into your soul, and a body like an avenging angel. Now I understood Alexis’s giddy excitement. A chill came over me just looking at him.
He blew fire from his mouth like it was air. I trembled at the billowing flames and noticed the scarring that marred a portion of his shoulder and back. He held a torch in each hand, moving them dexterously around his body, making figure-eight shapes in the air. Next he drew the torch along his arm, creating a trail of flame on his skin. I swallowed and held Trev’s hand a little tighter.
He swore low under his breath, “Fucking hell. That’s got to hurt.”
I shook my head. “He must use something to protect his skin.”
“It’s a fireproof gel,” King informed us. “The same as stuntmen use in movies.”
“Ah, makes sense,” I said. “Your friend is incredible.”
King’s lips twitched. “He is, but don’t go saying that to his face. Jack’s not great with compliments.”
Alexis laughed. “Yeah, the best response you’ll get is a caveman grunt.”
I returned my attention to the stage, unable to take my eyes off the swirling flames. I was only distracted when Trev rubbed his thumb along the inside of my wrist, the small movement causing my muscles to tighten. I hated how hectic these last few days had been. I felt like I just wanted to lock us both away in a secret room so we could be completely alone. I wanted the chance to show him how much I’d missed him.
The past two years, a piece of my heart had been missing and now that I finally had it back I knew I wouldn’t ever let it go again.
My attention went back to the ring when the fire breather started to speak. It was kind of impossible to ignore his deep, masculine voice. He had a distinct Irish accent, and his gravelly tone set my pores tingling.
I shivered when Trev bent close to whisper, “My masculinity’s feeling a little threatened right now.”
I shot him an amused look. “Your masculinity’s made from graphene and we both know it.”
He chuckled and joked, “I’m not so sure. I could probably go gay for King’s bestie.”
“Again, please don’t say that to his face,” King added, leaning forward to look at us with a hilariously impassive expression.
“I’d like to welcome my brother to join me on stage,” said Jack the fire-breather. “He’s the newest addition to our circus and he might be familiar to some of you. Please give a round of applause for Jay Fields.”
“Hold up. Jay Fields?” Trev asked, shooting King a questioning look.
“That’s what he said, isn’t it?” King replied with a casually arched brow.
“You failed to inform us that one of the most famous illusionists in the world right now is in this circus?”
King shrugged. “Fame is neither here nor there.”
“He’s eternally unimpressed,” Alexis put in. “Don’t take it personally. Also, you’re just as famous as Jay, so—”
“Not in America,” Trev said.
“You’re an industrious young man. You’ll crack America one day,” King told him, like a father telling his son to chin up. Trev didn’t appear amused, which was thoroughly amusing to me.
The lights changed from white to red, and “The Monster” by Rihanna and Eminem started to play, cutting short our conversation. A tall, dark-haired guy—though not as dark as Jack—walked into the ring, and I recognised him instantly.
Jay’s fame had come quickly. Within the last few years he’d become just as well-known as David Blaine or I dunno, Penn and Teller. Just well . . . cooler. He had tattoos covering both his arms and possessed an affable wisdom that made you believe he knew exactly what you were going to say before you even said it.
The curtains that hung over the entrance to the ring worked as a blank canvas for what I could only describe as a performance art piece. It was like shadow theatre, or shadow theatre’s distant cousin. Jack blew flames from where he stood in the middle of the ring and they reflected off a projector screen to create a shadowy inferno against the curtains. I exhaled an impressed breath as Jay flipped cards into the air, dozens and dozens of them. The paper fizzled to ashes on contact with the flames, creating a shadow image of snow falling from the sky.
Jack threw another flame, and the shadow of his hand against the projector looked like a dragon breathing fire, just like the monster in the song lyrics. Then Jay miraculously produced two white doves out of thin air. Jack extinguished his flames as the doves flew overheard, their feathery wings a symbol of hope to crush the monster.
The beauty of the piece stunned me, and when I looked at Trev his attention was rapt. It was surreal to see him so impressed, since usually he was the one inspiring awe. There was something incredibly open about his face right then and I couldn’t help it. Without thinking I grabbed him by the shoulders, pulled his mouth to mine, and kissed him with everything I felt inside.
The music thundered around us, the audience clapping and expressing their delight at the brothers’ display, but all I could think about was Trev. I felt his groan vibrate through my chest and wrapped my arms tight around him.
We were both breathless when we broke apart, and Lee, who was sitting at the very end of our row, let out a rip-roaring whistle. I flushed as Trev gave him the finger.
Trev pulled me into his arms, and whispered in my ear, “If you don’t want to get fucked so hard you can’t walk straight, you should probably lock your door tonight.”
My stomach quivered at his low, sexy threat as I twisted in his arms to whisper back, “I’m sharing with Leanne, remember?”
Trev’s disappointment was palpable. “Pity there’s no roof garden.”
“There’s a balcony.”
His eyes glinted wickedly. “In that case, I’d be happy to explore your exhibitionist side.”
I turned away from him to watch the rest of the show, though it was hard to concentrate with Trev’s hand moving over me. He explored the dip of my spine, the curve of my hip and swell of my thigh.
When the show ended, Karla and Lee went to ‘find the bathrooms’, which I was pretty sure was a euphemism for sexy times. I had a sneaking suspicion they liked to spice up their sex life by doing it in public places, but there was no judgement from me. To each their own.
King led the rest of us through the backstage area to an open, grassy field where there were about a dozen trailers camped out. To the end of the field, a bunch of people had gathered, and I recognised most of them from tonight’s show. They all sat around on dec
k chairs and blankets, drinking beers and eating barbecue food.
“Are they having a party?” I asked Alexis, who stood beside me.
“Yes, it’s Jack’s girlfriend’s birthday. Her name’s Lille, lovely girl. He’s putting on a surprise fireworks display for her.”
My brows shot up at that. “No way! That’s so cool.”
“Yes, and annoyingly romantic,” Alexis added.
I chuckled. “That, too.”
Trev stood on my other side, holding my hand like he didn’t want to let go, when two women approached us with wide smiles. One was tall and blonde, the other short and brunette.
“Alexis! King!” the brunette called out. “It’s so good to see you both.”
“You, too,” said King. “Can I introduce you to some friends of ours? Matilda, Lille, this is Trevor and Reya. Trevor, Reya, this is Matilda, Jay’s wife, and Lille, Jack’s girlfriend.”
“Hi,” I said, giving them each a little wave. “Can I just say, both of your other halves were amazing tonight? That performance was like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah, the problem is they know how good they are,” Matilda joked, her attention wandering to Trev. Her eyes narrowed in thought as she tapped a finger to her lips. “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
“Should I be worried?” Trev asked jokingly, charming smile in place.
Matilda smirked. “I hope not.”
“Nah, you might have seen my TV show, Running on Air?” Trev went on.
“Oh yes!” Lille exclaimed as she nudged Matilda in the arm. “We have seen it. That’s the one with all those guys who do parkour, remember?”
“Right,” said Matilda, bobbing her head. “That’s how I know you. Your show is fantastic. Edge of the seat stuff. Jay loves it as well.”
Trev’s charming confidence wavered for a brief second at that news, like he’d just been told his idol knew his name. “Oh, uh, really?”
“Really. He says it’s one of the best things on TV right now.”
I chuckled when I looked at Trev because he appeared about to expire. Then, to make matters worse, the man of the hour himself came to join us.
“King, I heard you might be stopping by,” came Jay’s booming voice as he approached. The two men shook hands, tattoo-free and debonair next to extensively and impressively inked up. They were the last two people you’d expect to be friends.
“My sister’s been complaining that it’s been too long since I visited,” King explained.
“That lady always gets what she wants,” Jay chuckled as he turned to greet Alexis and gave her a brief hug. When his attention fell on Trev and me, he didn’t miss a beat. Unlike his wife, he didn’t have to wrack his brains to remember how he knew Trev.
“Trevor Cross, as I live and breathe, how the fuck are ya?” he said, like they were old pals. Then he surprised everyone when he pulled Trev into a man hug. Trev was so stunned I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing. Jay greeted him like a friend he’d known for years, though being on TV did have that effect. People felt like they knew you.
“I thought that was your ugly mug I spotted in the audience,” Jay went on. “It’s great to finally meet you.”
He said it like he somehow knew they’d meet one day and it seriously confused me. It seemed to confuse Trev, too, when he rubbed a hand along his jaw and replied, “Er, yeah, it’s great to meet you, too.”
“Sorry to interject, but the way you said finally . . .” I butted in, unable to help myself.
Jay’s attention fell on me and it was a little overwhelming. There was a moment of silence as he shot me a look, and it seemed everyone else was wondering the same thing as we waited for him to respond.
He gestured to Alexis. “The lovely Lexie here is besties with Karla Cross, wife of the restaurant owner Lee Cross, brother to Trevor Cross. It’s like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon. I knew our paths would cross one day . . . excuse the pun.”
Everyone seemed to let out a breath that said, right, that explains it, because for a second I wondered if he really was psychic and not just faking it with mentalist tricks like he did on TV.
“Hold on a second,” Matilda interrupted, looking up at her husband in suspicion. “I’ve spent a lot more time talking to Alexis than you have, and even I didn’t know that. So, how did you?”
He shot her a cunning smile. “No offence, Watson, but what you don’t know could fill a phone book.”
She swatted him on the arm. “You cheeky little—”
He shut her up with a kiss, then said, “Cheeky big, Matilda, never little.”
She shot him a flirtatious scowl then seemed to notice something behind us because she let out a startled yelp. Quick as a flash she grabbed Lille by the arm. “Come on, Lille, I need to get you situated for your birthday surprise.”
“What, right now?” asked Lille, bewildered.
“Yes,” said Matilda, adamant. “Right now.”
“It was great meeting you,” Lille called to us as Matilda dragged her away.
“You, too,” I called back. “And happy birthday!”
When they were gone, Jay addressed us with a wink. “I knew all that from Facebook, just in case you were wondering.”
We all laughed as Alexis joked, “Who needs detective work anymore when there’s Facebook, am I right?”
A loud argument rang out from where Matilda had been looking and I turned to see Jack giving some red-haired guy a stern talking to. There was a box of fireworks at his feet.
“I’m not going to explain why dropping that box could’ve ended in you blowing your goddamn feet off, because I know the chemical components will go right over your thick head, but just imagine you’re holding a box full of gunpowder. Do. Not. Fucking. Drop. It. Again.”
Wow. Jack the fire-breather was scary when angry. The guy on the receiving end nodded like he was about to cry. Then he picked the box back up, held it like his life depended on it and scurried away.
“Relax, bro. You’re going to bust Ugly Sue if you don’t calm down,” said Jay, teasing his brother before looking back to us. “Ugly Sue’s what I call the vein in his forehead that gets all bulgy when he’s pissed.”
I think we all wanted to laugh, but when Jack approached our laughter fell flat. Thick waves of tension radiated off him and none of us wanted to be on the receiving end of it, like that other guy.
“The kid’s a bloody idiot,” he grumped. “Earlier I caught him flicking his lit cigarette butt to the ground right next to where I was storing the fireworks. And just now he drops them. If he sets himself on fire I’m blaming his IQ.” He paused, noting King’s presence as he reached out to shake his hand. “Hey bud. Good to see you.”
“You, too. Can I give you a Valium?” King asked, arching an amused brow.
“Ha, very funny,” Jack deadpanned before turning to Trev and me and giving us a quick nod of acknowledgment. It was as opposite to Jay’s verbose greeting as you could get, which struck me as odd since they were brothers. Jack brought his attention back to King, who seemed to be the only person he wanted to talk to right then.
“I’ve been working on this surprise for Lille’s birthday for months. Next year she’s getting a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates.”
“There’s certainly less chance of exploding extremities with chocolates,” King agreed.
Jack dragged a hand through his long hair. “Right, well, I better get going before someone lets slip to Lille what her surprise is.”
“Go, we’ll talk later,” said King.
“Later,” Jack agreed.
I watched him go, then startled when I looked up to find Jay studying me closely. “Reya, wasn’t it?” he asked.
“Uh, yes, that’s my name,” I responded dumbly.
“Piano, right?”
I furrowed my brow. “Huh?”
He nodded at my hands. “Could be the guitar, but I’m sticking with my first guess.”
“Oh right,” I said, hear
t pounding. How had he known that? “Yes, I play piano. I’m a singer-songwriter, actually, but how did you—”
“You’re a singer?” Jay said. “Have I heard any of your stuff?”
I gave a self-deprecating shrug. “Not unless you’ve got a penchant for obscure YouTube videos.”
Jay nodded and was silent for a second, his attention moving from me to Trev and then back again. “This your girl?” he asked Trev.
Trev’s grip on my hand tightened, his posture straightening and his voice sincere when he replied, “Yes, she’s my . . . everything.” He winced, then went on, “Sorry, I mean—”
“He means we’ve kind of just got back together recently, so it’s, um, complicated, but yes, I’m his girl.”
Fierce love shone in Trev’s eyes when he gazed at me.
“Glad to hear it,” said Jay, shooting Trev a serious look. “Keep this one. She’ll be good for you,” he paused to bring his attention back to me, “and Reya, with any luck I’ll be hearing your songs on the radio one of these days.”
I frowned at his statement, about to explain that fame wasn’t something I aspired to, when Alexis cut me off. “Come on, you lot, we’d better go grab a spot if we don’t want to miss Jack’s fireworks.”
Jay grabbed us some blankets from one of the trailers and we spread them out on the grass to sit down. Then Matilda came and offered us bottles of beer and bags of popcorn. I sat on the blanket next to Trev, starting to feel a bit of a chill. He must’ve noticed my shiver, because he draped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close.
Amiable chatter sounded around us but I stayed quiet, sipping on my beer and admiring the stars. I didn’t often take time to simply sit. Be still. Karla and Lee finally joined us, and if I wasn’t mistaken Karla had a twig in her hair and some grass stains on her backside.
“You think we’ll be shagging outdoors when we’re together five years?” Trev whispered, having noticed the same thing as I did.
His voice spread a warm heat through my belly, butterflies fluttering like wild at his question, because it indicated he was thinking long-term. And coming from someone like Trev, who was as hard to pin down as a golden snitch, that was huge.