Thrill Ride

by Rachel Hawthorne

  “I’m so sorry—”

  “Hey, it’s not your fault. It happens. The sad thing is, I think Mom and Dad still love each other. They just got so busy with careers and community and one thing and another, they had no time to remember that they loved each other. It’s easier to start over than to work to make something last.”

  “Well, my parents have definitely worked at it. I think Sarah will be fine when it comes to the marriage. I think it’s a question of surviving the wedding.”

  “Guess you’ll go home for the wedding.”

  He said it like a statement, not a question, but I answered anyway. “Definitely. I’m the maid of honor.”

  It suddenly got very quiet beyond the house. The rain had stopped. I shivered. It was really silly of me to be standing out here in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, because the rain had brought a definite chill to the air. Everyone else had been smart enough to wander inside where they actually had a fire going.

  “Here,” Parker said, shrugging out of his jacket.

  Before I could protest, he’d draped it over my shoulders. It enveloped me in a cocoon of warmth. “Thanks. I guess I really should go in, but it’s so nice out here.”

  “Feel free to come visit anytime. The beach stays a lot less crowded than the one in front of the hotel.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t have a car—”

  “You have a cell phone?”

  I wrinkled my brow. “Yeah.”

  “Can I see it?”

  “Sure, it’s nothing fancy. Doesn’t take pictures or anything.”

  I dug it out of my front pocket, handed it to him, and watched in amazement as he began punching buttons.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  He handed it back to me with a grin. “Programmed in my number. Now you can call me when you want to come over and I’ll come get you. I do have a car and it’s a lot more reliable than Jordan’s.”

  I took my phone, shoved it back into my pocket. “I’m not going to call you. That’s too much trouble for you.”

  I turned away, looking out on the lake.

  “It’s only too much trouble if I think it is,” he said. “And I wouldn’t.”

  “You might change your mind. Maybe I’ll call every day,” I said without looking at him.

  “I wouldn’t change my mind if you called every hour.”

  I spun around and faced him. “I can’t believe you keep flirting with me.”

  “Why not? I’m interested, and I think you are, too.”

  “No way am I—”

  I don’t remember him moving toward me, or me moving toward him, but we were suddenly kissing….

  And he was skillfully revealing that all my protests were a lie.

  Chapter 13

  Thursday Night Possibilities

  Watch Alicia perform at the Summit Theater

  Pros: Not have a boring night writing to Nick, telling him how much I miss him. Be with people, laugh, have a good time.

  Cons: Possibility of running into Parker, who I actually ran away from Wednesday night after he delivered that incredible, mind-numbing, mouth-melting kiss.

  Stay in my room

  Pros: Lots of time to try to remember what Nick’s kisses are like. They’re hot. I know they are. Not see Parker.

  Cons: Be alone. Lonely. Living what my mother assures me are the best years of my life in isolation.

  I was sitting on my bed, staring at the words I’d written in my decision-maker. After the park closed down at ten, there was going to be a special performance at the Summit Theater, open to all the staff, so we could enjoy the show that we normally might not be able to see because we were working during the performance time.

  I really wanted to go. After all, Alisha would be performing, and everyone I knew planned to be there: Patti, Zoe, Lisa, Jordan. And of course, wherever Jordan was, Ross, Cole, and Parker were sure to follow.

  Which was what originally caused me to pull out my decision-maker. Parker. I so did not want to see him.

  I sat there trying not to relive the humiliation of not pushing Parker away when he latched his mouth onto mine. The humiliation of actually moving closer to him. I could still smell the rain mingling with his tangy scent. I thought I would never be able to smell rain without thinking of him.

  When our mouths had finally unlocked, I’d been breathless and hot and shaking and terrified. And guilty. So guilty.

  I kept telling myself that it was no big deal, that it was just a kiss. But I knew that if I ever learned that Nick had kissed a girl the way that I kissed Parker, it would be so over between us. Would Nick know when he looked at me that I had kissed someone else? Would he be able to tell when he kissed me that another guy had branded his unique taste on my mouth?

  I snatched up my phone and punched his speed-dial number. He answered on the second ring.

  “Hey,” I said, and thought I sounded guilty saying it.

  “Hey, Megan.” I heard him yawn. Had I woken him up? “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice.”

  “That’s cool.” He yawned again.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “Yeah, but it’s okay. I was out late last night.”

  “Doing what?”

  Did I sound suspicious, like a jealous shrew?

  “When I got off work, I went to Steak ’n Shake with some of the guys.”

  “Who?”

  “Just guys from work. We got a lot of new summer help. I don’t even know if you know them. Besides, what does it matter?”

  “I just feel like I’m not part of your life right now.”

  “Because you’re not. That was your choice.”

  “I don’t want to fight, Nick.”

  “I don’t either, but this is hard, Megan. I see guys with their girlfriends—”

  “And I see girls with their boyfriends. Look, Nick, I don’t want to get into this. I just wanted to hear your voice and know that you love me.”

  “’Course I do.”

  Not exactly a resounding endorsement.

  “Can you say it?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  We talked a little more about nothing in particular, but I didn’t feel much better than I had before I called. I stared at the pros and cons again.

  There was a knock on the bathroom door and Alisha walked in. “So are you coming to watch the show tonight?”

  She looked so excited, so hopeful, and maybe a little nervous as well. Tonight was a dress rehearsal. Tomorrow night would be the big opening for her. I wanted to be supportive, I really did.

  Pro: Be a good suitemate.

  Con: Be a jerk. Okay, be a coward.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” I said, giving her a smile that threatened to unhinge my jaw.

  And hoping I wouldn’t live to regret it.

  The afternoon and night seemed to take forever, probably because I spent so much of my time looking over my shoulder. I kept expecting Parker to show up and to suggest we take up where we left off the night before.

  I was sure the slow progression of hours had nothing at all to do with the million and a half people who were wandering through H & G, unfolding T-shirts to look at what was on the front—even though we had samples displayed on the walls—picking up a stuffed toy to purchase, changing their mind halfway to the cash register and putting it on the shelf with the shot glasses. (I still couldn’t figure out why any kid who visited Storybook Land would want a shot glass.)

  There were bells and spoons and thimbles. Little collectibles. And we rotated between the cash register and cleanup, putting everything back so it didn’t look like we’d been invaded by hordes—even though we had been.

  So this particular day was going exceedingly slowly. I told myself that it wasn’t because I was disappointed that Parker hadn’t shown up. I wasn’t disappointed. I was glad.

  So why did I feel so let down?

  It was usuall
y close to ten thirty when we finished in the shop, because we had to undo the damage done by customers. I was still rearranging the miniature teacups when Nancy tapped me on the shoulder.

  “We’ll finish up in the morning,” she said. “We have a show to catch tonight. You are going, right?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  Patti and I stood outside the shop while Nancy pulled down the iron gates that kept people out. A gingerbread house with iron doors. I guess it worked, though. Maintenance crews were already sweeping and cleaning and washing things down. Whenever I felt silly in my costume, I thought things could be worse. I could be scrubbing toilets.

  Patti, Nancy, and I walked together to the Summit Theater.

  “Giving us a special show is almost as good as what they do for us at the end of summer,” Nancy said.

  “What do they do?” Patti asked.

  “Right after Labor Day, we go back to winter hours, so of course a lot of the staff will be leaving. So Tuesday, when they start closing the park to the public at seven again, they use skeleton crews on the rides and the park is ours.”

  “I think by the end of summer, the last thing I’d want is to ride another ride,” I said.

  “It’s the camaraderie,” Nancy said. “The free food and drinks don’t hurt, either.”

  The camaraderie. That was the nice thing about working here. Meeting all the people, from all over the world. Although right now, it seemed like maybe most of the world was trying to file into the Summit Theater. It was crowded and I somehow lost sight of Patti and Nancy.

  “Hey, roomie!”

  I almost groaned. My worst nightmare realized.

  I felt a tug on my arm and there was Jordan standing beside me, grinning like she’d discovered the world’s largest diamond. It felt good that she was so glad to see me, but I was also extremely uncomfortable because the usual suspects were with her. Including Parker.

  “You’re going to sit with us, right?” she asked.

  How could I say no?

  “Sure.”

  We made our way into the theater. An usher was standing there saying, “Move all the way down, move all the way down, don’t leave empty seats, move all the way down….”

  “Think they gave him a script?” Jordan asked beside my ear.

  “I’m sure they did. Don’t want to leave anything to chance.”

  I finally got to the row of seats we were supposed to sit in, grateful because Jordan was behind me. But when I edged my way down the row and took a seat, I looked up to find Parker moving in to take the seat beside me. How had that happened? Jordan had been right beside me, whispering in my ear!

  And now Parker was sitting next to me, in uniform, his bare knee brushing up against my bare knee. I jerked my leg away. Short skirts and cargo shorts. Dangerous combination.

  I didn’t want to think about the pleasant spark our touching had ignited. All around us, people were talking, mumbling, excitement mounting. I wanted to enjoy the show, but I was so aware of the guy sitting next to me, distracted by his presence.

  He leaned toward me and I froze, waiting.

  “You mad at me or something?” he whispered.

  I turned my head and there he was, his face close enough to mine that I wouldn’t have to move more than an inch to have a repeat of last night’s performance.

  “You know what’s the matter,” I said. Had I been running? Why did I sound like I couldn’t catch my breath?

  “I’m not sure I do.”

  “You kissed me,” I hissed.

  “You kissed back,” he said, lowering his voice even more so the words were more intimate.

  “Because you took me off-guard.”

  He grinned, he actually grinned. “So if your guard weren’t up, you’d be kissing me all the time?”

  “That’s not what I meant. Do we have to discuss this now?”

  The lights dimmed. Thank goodness. I turned my attention to the stage. Let the show get started. Give me a distraction.

  “We do need to discuss it,” Parker whispered, “because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

  I slid my gaze over to him, and even in the shadows, I could feel the heat in his eyes.

  There was a clash of cymbals that almost had me leaping into the row in front of me. I know my reaction was clearly evident because I heard Parker chuckling.

  Then music started up, curtains were pulled back, and the show began. It was quite an elaborate production with a group of people dancing and singing.

  I felt Parker’s mouth brush against my ear and a shiver went down my back.

  “Which one is your suitemate?”

  “She’s not on the stage yet.”

  “Tell me when she is.”

  Like he had to ask me and not Jordan? Give me a break. He was just looking for an excuse to get near me. I should have been angry, but instead, I was…flattered.

  I hated to admit that, even to myself, but his attention made me feel special. I quickly told myself he was probably just looking for a summer fling.

  The lights went out on the stage. Everything was black. And when a spotlight hit the stage, there was Alisha. She was dressed in a sequined gown. She looked beautiful.

  I leaned over to Parker. “That’s her.”

  “Wow. She’s hot.”

  Was that a spark of jealousy I felt? Couldn’t be.

  Then Alisha began to sing. Wow indeed.

  I just sat there, mesmerized.

  “She’s really good,” Parker whispered, his voice a raspy rumble.

  It was then that I realized I was still leaning against him, our shoulders touching like they’d been fused together. I told myself to move away, that I didn’t need to be touching him, that I didn’t want to be touching him.

  “Yeah, she is,” I said, staying exactly where I was, inhaling that scent that was him.

  “Let’s go somewhere after this.”

  I swallowed hard, shook my head. I felt like I’d felt at the top of the one roller coaster that I’d ridden with my dad. Terrified of what awaited me.

  “We need to talk. There’s an all night pancake house. Ten minutes away.”

  I shook my head again. What was the harm in talking? The harm was that it might develop into another kiss. Just having his mouth this close was more temptation than I’d ever experienced.

  This was insane!

  Yes, he was hot, but so was Nick. Yes, he was nice, but so was Nick. Yes, he sent shivers of anticipation through me. But so did Nick. Okay, so they weren’t this strong. But they were there. Parker terrified me. Nick didn’t. Nick was safe, like a carousel.

  Parker was the tallest, fastest, scariest thrill ride imaginable.

  “I like you, Megan,” he said so low that I barely heard. “I know you don’t want me to, but I do. All I want is for you to go get some coffee with me.”

  “I don’t drink coffee after dark.”

  “Tea, then.”

  I could have sworn I heard laughter in his voice.

  “Water,” he continued, “lemonade, milk. Some kind of liquid. Sitting across from each other, not beside each other, where we’re touching.”

  So he’d noticed, too, and hadn’t moved aside. Why was I not surprised?

  Alisha closed out her routine. The theater went dark again. I found comfort in the darkness when I turned my head and felt, but couldn’t see, my nose touching Parker’s cheek. “Okay.”

  Chapter 14

  The rest of the performances were a blurred haze, and I fought not to hyperventilate after I gave Parker my answer. When the show was over, we got up and walked out of the theater without a word.

  Jordan was babbling about how talented our suitemate was, and yes, their dad really did need to come see her perform. Ross kept nudging her up against his side and planting kisses on her mouth. Maybe that was the only way he’d figured out how to stop her from talking.

  “So what now?” she asked when we reached the gate of the park. “What should we a
ll do? I’m totally pumped. Couldn’t go to sleep if I had to.”

  “Megan and I have something to take care of. We’ll catch you later,” Parker said.

  I was afraid Jordan was going to ask for details. Instead she just looked at me and said, “Don’t forget our signal.”

  I figured she was glad to know she’d have the room to herself for a while.

  “I won’t.”

  Parker and I took off in a different direction, toward the costume shop. He waited outside while I changed out of my costume—not nearly as interesting a costume as Alisha had been wearing. Part of me wanted to change slowly, hoping he’d lose patience and leave. Part of me wanted to change quickly so I could see him again, find out what he wanted to “take care of.”

  I settled for changing somewhere in between. Storybook Land and its fairy tales were starting to get to me—now I was thinking in terms of the Three Bears.

  When I got outside, Parker was still there, leaning against a lamppost. He started walking without a word, and I fell into step beside him as we headed to the parking lot. I kept expecting him to take my hand or something, but we just walked, silence surrounding us.

  But it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was more like how the air feels right after lightning flashes and you’re waiting for the thunder to rumble.

  We got to his car and he opened the passenger door for me. Nick had never done that. Not that I expected him to. I mean, I was fully capable of opening my own door, but still, it made me feel…special. And I so didn’t want to feel special around Parker.

  I slid into his car. It smelled way too much like him. I stared straight ahead while he climbed in and started it up.

  Only he didn’t start it up. He just sat there. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his arm draped over the steering wheel, the way he’d turned his body so he could look at me.

  Okay, I was starting to think that my agreeing to get something to drink was a big mistake. I should probably get out of the car now, before he did turn it on and took me someplace that I might not want to be.