For the first timeâŚ. EVER, it actually feels like they are getting somewhere. All it took was her complying to get him to loosen up and bring back that smirk she loved and adored so much. And sheâd traced with her finger more times than they both could count. But, she did. Twenty seven times to be exact.
Twenty eight counting right now. âOhhhh, I get it,â she laughs. Pretty smart, too. Not that she needed the reminder of his fuckboy ways. âGage Thumper. Because you like to hump.â The joke itself made her laugh. It was a sweet sound. Missed, even to her own ears. She couldnât remember the last time someoneâs made her laugh recently. At least to this heartfelt extent.
Flicking his hat that hung on her head, Cami leaned into the kiss he bestowed upon her cheek and blushed, while trying to hide it. âFinally,â she sighed with relief. âIâve got my power back. And unfortunately for you, it means a ride on the Ferris Wheel.â She knows how much he doesnât favor heights, especially on man made machines that working for Cooleyâs, he knows have a habit of breaking down. But, at least if they die⌠they do it together. Rose and Jack, or Allie and Noah style. The Titanic, and The Notebook, being too more classic favorites of hers. The Notebook more so because, it reminded her of them. Born in opposite social circles, two lovers who fight constantly but in the end what theyâre fighting for ( which is each other ) seems worth the pain it takes to get there.
âAnd knowing you,â her chin rests on his now-leather clad shoulder as they make their way out of the funhouse, âmy guess is⌠itâs the haunted house next. Because you love torturing me with clowns. So, not fair.â Sheâll just have to torture him first by rocking the cart of the ferris wheel. Or not. Because she doesnât actually want it to break, and sheâs not an asshole.
âWill you tell me what really happened to your face if I ask?â Once seated, and secure on the Ferris Wheel, Cami does a casual, soft sweep of his bruises with her fingers. âI really wish you wouldnât get into so many fights. This face is too pretty to damage all the time.â To show him, she means it and she means well, she leans over to press a kiss to the outline of his jaw, accidentally nailing him in the eye with the tip of her hat. Which only triggers another series of giggles. âOops. Sorry.â
âThe Ferris wheel? Câmon.â His voice was only playfully annoyed. He might be all macho on the outside, but nothing scared him more than being suspended into the air with no real guarantee that youâll be coming back down softly. All it would take is for one guy to fuck up one precaution and then itâs over. it wasnât death in general that made Gage feel all panicky. It was knowing he hasnât truly lived yet. He wanted more moments with Camila. Thatâs why all of this was so important to him. They were getting older but still running in the same circles. He could be happy with her but could she be happy with him?Â
With her head now resting on his shoulder and their fingers entwined, they left the fun house a lot happier than when they went in. If someone were to see him they wouldnât even recognize him. The giant smile on his face and the cheerfulness in his eyes were disguise enough. âThe haunted house is on the list, yes! I didnât work on it. Someone else did, so the illusion hasnât been ruined for me.â Just as he was starting to feel centered and optimistic, the bruises on his face were mentioned again. Then it dawned on him. He told Dante he would meet him later at the carnival. He couldnât ditch Camila though â not after he promised her a date.Â
He wasnât sure what that feeling in his gut was now â the Ferris wheel as it began turning upward or the panic of what Dante will do if he doesnât show up in time. âConsidering you have me strapped into this torture chair... Yeah...Iâll be honest with you.â He tried for laughter but it came out weak and full of air; an embarrassing gasp that he wished would have stayed in his lungs. âI didnât start the fight this time.â Gage turned to look at her just as she moved in to kiss the bruise on his cheek. When the brim of her hat poked him in the eye, he flinched and then laughed. âYouâre adding to it!â He teased, squeezing her hip with the intention of tickling her. It was the only form of payback he could think of. However, he didnât account for the wiggling that would occur after, or the rocking of the cart. âOh shit... Okay okay, stop rocking it!â He laughed nervously before placing a hand on her thigh to keep her still.Â
âThe fight happened after your run-in with Travers. The guy I said I owe money to? Itâs him. He came to collect and when I said I didnât have it, he threatened me.â He wasnât going to tell her about all the crude things he said about her too. Some things were just better left unsaid. âBut everything is cool now. We worked it out. Travers is just an idiot. We used to be good friends. But ever since he took over the south side, he thinks heâs the shit.â The manâs ego was bigger than the island they live on. âI know Iâm always into some kind of mess. And I know that can be stressful. But I promise, things are going to change. I wonât keep disappearing in and out of your life.â Despite the nerves he felt, he was able to turn his body and place a hand on the side of her face. Then turn her ballcap back and plant a more endearing kiss on her lips.