gage thatcher

full name. gage thatcher

age. 29

residential area. x

hometown.  siesta key, florida

occupation. handyman for siesta repairs

faceclaim. cam gigandet

glazed eyes, unorganized apartment, beer and cigarettes, broken surfboards, saltwater, skating through life, wasted potential, long naps, late night bonfires, cracked iphone screen, being a shell of who you really are, always wanting more, clenched fists, fighting outside bars, mugshots, black eyes, bloody lips, avoiding family reunions, wetsuits, spiked coffee, one-night stands. 

HISTORY

Gage leaned deeper into their kiss and felt the rise of adrenaline in his stomach as she opened her legs for his hand to slide further up. But it was like she said in the Fun House, the power had shifted and became hers again. Therefore, he wasn't that surprised when she inevitably shifted back and prompted him to remove his hand before the ride stopped. Lolling his head back with a guilty smirk, he sighs to the heavens and curses whatever God made Camila so beautiful and yet so stubborn. Where was the carefree girl who would help him look for unlocked cars in bar parking lots to fuck in the back seat of? Xavier really did a number on her. She was even more reserved than he remembered. "You're going to blue ball me to death someday. Mark my words." He chuckled as he readjusted her hat on the off chance of being spotted once their cart made it to the ground.

"To the Haunted House, we go." He grabbed her hand and tugged her along before slinging an arm across her shoulders. After signing a waiver, they were let in by a man in a mask. The hallway inside was dark and quiet before the sound of manic clown-laughter filled its space. "Okay, you told me I could torture you, so you're up front." He teased before shifting himself behind her. Straight ahead, standing in a doorway under a single flickering light bulb, was a clown with a twisted grin and black soulless eyes.

An eerie sound escaped its lips as he began dragging his foot toward them. "I don't think this guy is joking, Cam." Gage was only teasing to make the matter worse as the clown began to huff the closer it got, dragging his foot faster and faster. Then when he got close enough, he opened his mouth and blood poured out. On cue, Gage helped push Camila forward, away from the clown and toward the next nightmarish display.

“Don’t be so dramatic.” Her eyes rolled before his fingers tickled her sides and she squirmed just as dramatically to escape them. The only thing to stop her and calm her back down, was  the hand he placed on her thigh. It felt warm and familiar and welcome, and if he were to move it up just another inch or two, he’d tread towards more dangerous territory.

Thankfully, he showed her mercy and came clean at the same time. Had she not run into Dante again herself, when sleeping over his house with Stella, now would’ve been the time where she realized the two were related. It was moments like these, where she realized just how small Siesta Key really was. It seemed everyone knew everyone in some way or another.

One of her closest friends was related to the dirtbag who threatened him and nearly beat him to a pulp. If that didn’t tell them how small their world was, she didn’t know what would. “I figured as much when I ran into him leaving your place the other day.” It was the same night they got into their last big fight, before they made up here.

As much as Camila had more to say and weigh in on the topic, she let herself be silenced by his kiss. The last thing she wanted to do was spark another argument. At the same time, he needed to know how she felt. Just in case, the opportunity slipped away and never came around again.

“Mmm,” she hummed thoughtfully against his lips while wrapping her hands around his wrists which were being used to cup her face. “I hope not.” She’s not sure what it is about her that  makes the men in her life fail to stay. Gage was constantly coming and going. Xavier was too involved with work. Her own father chose fame and drugs over getting to know her. It’s like they could only tolerate her for so long sometimes. “I want you here.” Meaning in town, close by. “But, I also wish you’d refrain from getting into so much trouble.” Some trouble was okay. Attractive, even. It was sexy in their teens and early twenties but, Gage had a tendency to take things to the extreme. He loved hard and fought harder. Just like her. “The constant fighting and brawling. I really wish you’d stop.” She didn’t want to force his hand but, if she had to then she would. “Promise me, it ends today? I really wanna trust you and believe this time could be different. I’m just so sick of all the drama. I want us to be better.” She knows she plays a part in it too and for once, she’d allow herself to openly admit it. “I’ll make the effort if you do.”

-

Despite his usual arrogance, Gage understood. If he were to keep getting into trouble, he would end up like Dante who spent a good amount of his life locked up. He already wasted so much of his time with Locals Only; Time he could have spent here with Camila instead of backing off, which allowed her to get closer to Xavier again. The only problem with staying out of trouble was the fact that he was already in trouble. He has loose ends and if he doesn’t tie them up then Dante will continue to find new and torturous ways to make his life miserable. It was bad enough that he threatened him with Camila. Who knows what she would do if he approached her. Gage hoped by telling her about this and about Dante that she would stay away from him. 

“I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble.” But even while saying that, he couldn’t help but think about tonight’s heist. He already texted Dante the code to get inside the room and without him standing guard, who knows how things will turn out. A part of him wanted to set him up to assure he would be out of his life and Camila’s, but another part of him would rather he walk away a happy man. He just wasn’t so sure he could trust him to see things as being even afterward. Sometimes a bloodthirsty shark doesn’t stop, even after it’s stolen your leg. 

“Okay. I promise. You can hold me to it. If I mess up for whatever reason, you can walk away. And I won’t blame you.” If this was his only way for them to be together then he would take it. What other choice did he have? It was either he agree and have a chance to prove himself to her, or call it quits and watch her walk away with Xavier. With the latter being his worst nightmare, he decided he would stay with Camila and send in a tip to security that someone was breaking into the charity vault. 

“Let’s kiss on it. Make it official.” He smiled as he frames her face and kisses her lips again. As the ferris wheel pauses with them at the top, he slips his tongue into her mouth and slides his hand up her thigh. He hates the height but does his best to focus on her. “Does this count as me being bad?” He lifts his thumb and rubs it against her panties, building a warm circular motion around her clit.  “—Because I can stop.” 

For the first time…. 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 she’d 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. “Ohhhh, I get it,” she laughs. Pretty smart, too. Not that she needed the reminder of his fuckboy ways. “Gage Thumper. Because you like to hump.” The joke itself made her laugh. It was a sweet sound. Missed, even to her own ears. She couldn’t remember the last time someone’s 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. “Finally,” she sighed with relief. “I’ve got my power back. And unfortunately for you, it means a ride on the Ferris Wheel.” She knows how much he doesn’t favor heights, especially on man made machines that working for Cooley’s, 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 they’re fighting for ( which is each other ) seems worth the pain it takes to get there.

“And knowing you,” her chin rests on his now-leather clad shoulder as they make their way out of the funhouse, “my guess is… it’s the haunted house next. Because you love torturing me with clowns. So, not fair.” She’ll just have to torture him first by rocking the cart of the ferris wheel. Or not. Because she doesn’t actually want it to break, and she’s not an asshole.

“Will you tell me what really happened to your face if I ask?” Once seated, and secure on the Ferris Wheel, Cami does a casual, soft sweep of his bruises with her fingers. “I really wish you wouldn’t get into so many fights. This face is too pretty to damage all the time.” 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. “Oops. Sorry.”

-

“The Ferris wheel? C’mon.” 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 you’ll be coming back down softly. All it would take is for one guy to fuck up one precaution and then it’s over. it wasn’t death in general that made Gage feel all panicky. It was knowing he hasn’t truly lived yet. He wanted more moments with Camila. That’s 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? 

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 wouldn’t even recognize him. The giant smile on his face and the cheerfulness in his eyes were disguise enough. “The haunted house is on the list, yes! I didn’t work on it. Someone else did, so the illusion hasn’t been ruined for me.” 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 couldn’t ditch Camila though — not after he promised her a date. 

He wasn’t sure what that feeling in his gut was now — the Ferris wheel as it began turning upward or the panic of what Dante will do if he doesn’t show up in time. “Considering you have me strapped into this torture chair... Yeah...I’ll be honest with you.” 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. “I didn’t start the fight this time.” 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. “You’re adding to it!” He teased, squeezing her hip with the intention of tickling her. It was the only form of payback he could think of. However, he didn’t account for the wiggling that would occur after, or the rocking of the cart. “Oh shit... Okay okay, stop rocking it!” He laughed nervously before placing a hand on her thigh to keep her still. 

“The fight happened after your run-in with Travers. The guy I said I owe money to? It’s him. He came to collect and when I said I didn’t have it, he threatened me.” He wasn’t going to tell her about all the crude things he said about her too. Some things were just better left unsaid. “But 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 he’s the shit.” The man’s ego was bigger than the island they live on. “I know I’m always into some kind of mess. And I know that can be stressful. But I promise, things are going to change. I won’t keep disappearing in and out of your life.” 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.

He must’ve known her well because the second he mentioned banging Stella and using her to piss off her brother, Liv saw red. They may be friends, and he may be a fun dick to ride but Stella was her girl. She’d break his precious penis before she ever let him anywhere near her.

Sure, Stella could probably take care of herself and Liv had no room to talk or prevent Stella from seeing other people and boning them while she did the same things herself but it was the circumstance that bothered her. The devil was in the details.

“You better be joking,” she warns. Albeit, she lightens the mood again with a rough, playful shove to the shoulder. “I’m not sure you’re Trix’s type, to be honest. Then again, I think she has boned a few animals. And if you’re proposing what I think you’re proposing, then you need to get in line.” Because he was being so openly candid with her, Liv felt compelled and comfortable to do the same. “I’m already trying to line one threesome up. If it doesn’t pan out the way I hope, maybe we’ll give you a call. Just don’t hold your breath. Or maybe you should. I’ve met her brother. Sick fuck. Mean as can be. I’d hate to be you if you ever did manage to con Trix into fucking you and he found out. I’ll write you a good eulogy though.” Scouts honor.

As she waited for him to type out and send the texts, Liv absentmindedly drew invisible lines across her taut stomach, tempting Gage without actually meaning to. “Actually, I appreciate the slice but do you think you can loan me a gram? You know, just in case I need to sweeten the punch for what I’ve got going on later?” It seemed fair enough. Not that mauling Gage in public was truly horrendous. In fact, it would be her greatest pleasure.

“We should go. Just in case she’s close by and we need to beat her there.” Liv sat up and closed the door to his van before hopping into the passenger seat up front.

-

Gage was surprised when she got offended but then relaxed when she eased back into their usual banter. He knew how close she and Stella were and didn’t want her to think he would hurt her. That wasn’t the idea behind his vicious plan to get back at Dante. It was only supposed to hurt D’, no one else. Then again, messing with family always has its consequences. Not that he would know. His parents weren’t the loving type. His father was a real bastard and his mother was a delusional hag with more demons than Hell. With such a fucked up lineage, it was no wonder he couldn’t escape his own shadows. His parents were still his parents after all. Their degeneracy was his degeneracy. And if he were to ever have children, they would probably come out just as cruel. The thought in itself was a nightmare because he knows how much Camila wants a family of her own, and he’s not so sure his offspring would live up to her fantasy. 

“Fucking me isn’t the worst she could do, Liv. You’ve fucked me, you would know. But yeah, if your little threesome doesn’t work out, call me. I’ll be gentle.” He teased, knowing she could handle anything he throws at her. He wasn’t the only animal here. Liv was a firecracker and honestly, with the way she rides a dick, he wasn’t so sure he could handle two of them. She almost broke his dick one time — He had it looked at a few weeks later and the doctor said there was some inner scarring. Whoever she was setting up was in for a real treat — or trick. 

“I’m not a drug dealer.” Gage lit another cigarette as he turned the wheel toward the pier before parking in the lot. “—But because you’re my only real friend, sure.” He moved to the back of the van to rummage through his stuff. There were some food boxes, beer, a box of condoms, and even a picture of him with Camila taped to the wall. He had to make sure Olivia didn’t see it. “Just stay there. It’s a mess back here.” Then again she might be able to make Camila out when she shows up, even if was getting dark out. “Fuck it. I don’t care. You’re cool...” The inner workings of his mind came out. “The girl is Camila Garza, okay? It’s too hard keeping it a secret from you. Just don’t tell anyone. If you do, I’ll break you like you tried to break my dick last year.” He shuffled back over to her and slapped the gram in her palm, wrapped in ceramic to stay fresh. 

“So that’s it?” He works her up, tells her if she wants him to come get him, and then just leaves? This wasn’t how things were supposed to happen. And it’s precisely why, she hates giving up control.

More than that, she doesn’t actually want him to leave. “Baby,” she hopes the pet name is enough to draw his focus back to her instead of on leaving. It might seem like a cruel tactic to use but, there’s underlying feelings there that makes it come across as genuine. Because, deep down, it is.

“What if…” and she can’t believe she’s even proposing this idea at all. It’s not something she’s taken time to consider. Or even map out. Who knows, if dodging Ashton or anyone they might know for an entire night, was even possible. It was worth a try though. If it meant, he wouldn’t take off again. In similar instances, when the fighting and fucking got to be too much, one or the other would skip town and hide out. He would chase whatever waves he could find to make himself feel better, while she locked herself away and wrote songs.

“What if you don’t go?” Her fingers latched around his belt buckle, before she gave it a silent tug of persistence. “Maybe I was wrong, okay? Maybe you are being serious and this isn’t all about sex for you. If that’s true, then prove it. Don’t go.” Her eyes were pleading as she trapped her lip between her teeth and batted her lashes up at him. “Stay. I’ll ditch Ash and we can go on a few rides together. Then, when we get tired of that, you’ll bring me back to the balloon race and win me a stuffed Rabbit. Which I’ll take home and sleep with afterward and probably name after you. If you’re being serious about showing me this can work, you’ll stay and have fun with me.”

/

Her endearment was almost enough to make him cave to whatever she wanted. He was deprived of affection and learned he needed it on the days they would spend on his mattress, cuddled up in front of all her favorite movies. He never cared what they were watching, just as long as she was there with him, cradled in his arms, and leaving soft kisses on his hand. Before her, he was the hit-and-split type. He had a motto back then: never fuck the same girl twice and never fight the same guy twice. When it’s over, it’s over. He broke that rule a few times but, never fell in love before or after Camila.  

“What are you saying?” He closes his eyes as she pulls on his belt. This time it wasn’t to make it loose but to keep him within arm’s reach. He relented and took a step closer until their hips met and she could feel his breath on her skin again. “You’ll really ditch your boy?” His eyes open to examine her features and her bashful eyes give him a smile. It was close to his signature smirk, but not quite. There was a twinkle in his eye that made him look way softer than he is. “So we’ll go on some rides, play some games, and then you’ll go home with Gage Thumper?” Bambi was another one of her movies that he was forced to watch so the name came to pretty quickly. “Okay, let’s try it. That’s all I really want.” He didn’t want to torture her and hang around Ashton just to get on her nerves. He wanted her to be honest with herself and somehow he got that to work. 

“Here,” Gage took the baseball cap he was wearing to keep the sun out of his eyes and plants it on her head. Now she was incognito. No one would ever expect Little Miss Madame Butterfly to be walking around under a dirty work hat. “We can start you off with that and maybe check out a few shops along the boardwalk? Get you a matching leather jacket.” Pressing a soft kiss on her cheek, he takes her hand and laces their fingers. “You pick the first ride and I’ll pick the second. Deal?” 

“Har, har.” As her sarcasm faded, a smile blossomed in its place. Crude as he was, he came with great ideas. “You know, I actually wouldn’t be opposed to either concepts. So long as I can trust you not to draw a dick between my legs when you get finished.” She’ll consider his offer.

In the meantime….. her grin grew twice in size, as he proclaimed her the hottest twister at that god forsaken club. Liv enjoyed her time there, and she made a few friends along the way. ( Like Gage ) so, she couldn’t say the experience was a total waste of her youth. It had its perks. And likewise, it’s drawbacks.

“If this other guy looks as terrible as you, I’m not sure I want to.” She was only teasing as she took a drag of the cigarette he offered her, before handing it back.

Afterwards, she leaned her head against the pillows he had bordered along the back of his van and laid her hands to rest over her stomach. “Your ex sounds like a total bitch, no offense. She’s always jerking you around. Dude, you gotta get over it.” She knows he’s in love or whatever. He didn’t have to say it outright for it to be made obvious. At the same time, she hated seeing him get so down over one girl. Even if she was THE girl, it still wasn’t cool. Gage was a good guy. A little rough around the edges, and he might’ve worn the mouth of a sailor but it was still a good mouth. It brought her to orgasm multiple times. And it could again, if they were to allow it. “You sound pussy whipped. Are you sure all this heartache is even worth it? I mean, I get you love her and all but…. I hate that she doesn’t see how awesome you are. Smelly, but still awesome.”

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her and Liv sprang up. “You know what we should do? Instead of you feeling sorry for yourself. Frankly, it’s lame.” She pauses for a beat to dig out her phone. “We should make her jealous. Tell her to meet you somewhere, and then text her back and be like ‘oh sorry, wrong text’. It’ll get her thinking. She’ll probably show up wherever it is because, she’s a girl and we’re jealous and nosey as fuck. And then…. you can grab me and we’ll make out. She’ll see what she’s missing and come crying back to you like…. oh baby I’m so sorry, I made a huge mistake. Fuck me again please.” Sounds cruel but, its effective. “Trust me, it works every time.”

-

Why draw a dick between her legs when he can put his real dick between her legs. It wouldn’t be the first time they fooled around inside the tattoo parlor after closing hours. For a while, before he left to join the Locals Only Tour, it was Olivia who got him through the many ups and downs with Camila. She was heaven-sent but with devil horns and a pitchfork tail like him. The only times he couldn’t stand being around her was when her friend would show up. Dante’s sister was a thorn in his side. He wouldn’t be opposed to hanging out with her now, knowing how much it would bother Dante. He still needed to even the score for the black eye and his comments on Camila. 

“Oh, he looks bad. Then again he always looked bad.” Gage grinned as he accepted the rotating cigarette. “If you wanna know who it is. It was Dante fucking Travers. I might have told him I banged his sister in his bed. Before you chew me out, it was a lie. I only said that to rile him up. But now I’m thinking I owe him one. So if you and Trix ever wanna get together... I have an empty apartment and a shit ton of pot.” His bed was small and on the floor, but in the right positions they could make it work. 

He lays down beside her when she gets comfortable on her back, and looks at her hips and stomach as her shirt rises. She was smoking hot and he was a little too horny for this. Her idea to make Camila jealous, however, told him she was on the same page. Why sulk when you can get revenge? “I’m not pussy whipped. I’m not even getting pussy from her. She’s still with her dumb boyfriend. But if you wanna help me make her jealous, I’m down. You’re evil... You know that, right?” He says as he pulls his phone out of his pant pocket and ‘accidentally’ texts her. 

Gage: Yo babe, meet me at the pier? 

Gage: Sorry. Wrong person. 

“Done and done. Guess we’ll be taking this show to the pier. I’ll buy you a slice.” 

The nickname, although meant to be an affectionate gesture on his end, caused Liv to visibly cringe. She liked it. It’s just that, it reminded her of her mom before she passed. She used to call Liv her tiny dancer all the time, as Olivia curtsied around the house and their dining room table.

“So does yours.” Gage might’ve forgot but, Liv never did. The atomic bombshells loved him. They’d all try to drink with him after their shift ended or begged him for rides in his van ( and around his dick ). Some he indulged, others he rejected. He was hot commodity at the club until he got fired. But even the manager’s wife loved him and would probably hire him back.

“Don’t mind if I do.” The invite to pop a squat with him in his van was well received. Liv not only helped herself to the open spot next to him, but to one of the cold beers in his mobile cooler. “I’ll never say no to a bar crawl. But, you do realize that one of these days you’re going to have to pay me for all the free ink. Maybe my generosity is still the reason why I can’t quit the club.” She wanted to. But, she owned the owner a lot of money still and he refused to let her go until payment was fully received. “How are things? Aside from you getting your ass kicked by your friend?”

-

“Yeah, well.” His looks were the only thing he has. Living in Siesta Key was a constant reminder that he didn’t fit in with all the high rollers who were living in their big houses with their big families. It’s what Camila wanted too, but he couldn’t give that to her. One day, he’ll inevitably have to let her go, but today wouldn’t be that day. His plan to win her back was rocky thus far, but he believed in it. However, in the meantime, he wasn’t going to sit around like a virgin not getting laid. So if Liv wanted to go at it for old times’ sake, he would be down. 

“I’m paying you now, princess, you’re drinking my beer.” He smirked, keeping the brim of the bottle pressed against his lips. “If you supply the ink, I’ll tattoo you. ‘Locals only’ across your left ass cheek. That would be hot. Maybe, ‘liv and let die’ under your boob?” It was no surprise that he was naming all provocative body parts. When was he not horny? Maybe Cami was right and he’s just a dog forever chasing a bone. 

“Why would you quit? You’re like the hottest girl there. The Titty Twister won’t survive without its Santanico Pandemonium.” Giving her shoulder a nudge, he lights up another cigarette before passing it over. “—Red card, dude. I didn’t get my ass kicked. You should see the other guy.” Dante wasn’t as bad off. But Gage had too much pride to admit defeat. He’ll pay the big idiot back when he screws his sister in the back of his van without a condom. 

“Things are whatever, you know? I tried to get back with my ex but she wasn’t having it.” He’s talked about Camila a bunch of times to Olivia but never name-dropped. At first, Liv thought he made her up, but as time passed by she could see how torn up he was over this mystery woman. “She blue-balled me twice. Black and blue face and black and blue balls. Does God hate me or what?” 

“Got one for me, stranger?” It’s been, give or take, a couple weeks since Liv’s seen Gage at the club. She was starting to wonder what happened until she saw his face and knew. His mouth must’ve got him in trouble. “Someone rearrange your face? Or are you having work done?” It is Siesta Key after all. Plastic Surgery is as common as breathing around here.

.

“Oh hey, Tiny Dancer.” He smiled, leaning away from his van to hand her a cold beer from the cooler. Gage worked as a bartender for a few weeks at the club before switching to stagehand. In his time at Sky Lounge, they became close and sometimes even closer. “Ah well, this—” he points at the bruise on his face with a smirk “—just me an old friend catching up. But don’t worry, I wouldn’t take a swing at your pretty face. I know it sells tickets.” He teased, taking a seat in his van. There was enough room for the both of them to sit with the door open while still enjoying the ocean breeze. “You know, I was planning on seeing you. I just won’t be back at the club until the next theme change. But if you’re ever up to hanging out, we could go barhopping and get more regrettable tattoos—for old-time sake..” 

After spending most of his afternoon in the water surfing, Gage went back to his van and opened the door, revealing a cooler of cold beer. He was usually cool with other surfers and beachgoers coming over to join him. Especially if they were locals. Otherwise, he might take a few jabs.

“Gage, don’t–” her forehead broke free from his when she shook her head no. Him being there, watching her, making sure she sees him every moment of every day is the last thing she wanted. That’s what was so hard. Being near him, and knowing they could never be together, that it would never work. “Please.” Her hands gripped his biceps as she defiantly tried to fight off the warmth that gathered in the pit of her stomach when he touched her.

All it took was one stroke across her stomach, above her panty line to send her body into a frenzy of panic and a melting pot of desire. Beneath her dress, she’s already turned feverish with want. “What if someone sees us?” All it would take is someone, like Ashton, to come walking into this funhouse and finding them in a compromising position, surrounded by dozens of mirrors, to ruin her life. In any other capacity, this situation she might’ve found hot but, the anxiety was very much real and excruciating.

Yet despite that, she didn’t move a muscle. She didn’t bother to push his hands away or attempt to wriggle free. Because deep down, she wanted it. No matter how much her mouth fought against it, her body had other desires. It craved his mouth, and his hands all over it. Until she was a writhing, uncontrollable mess. “You’re working the carnival. Who else has access?” Her fingers fisted his dirty shirt, as she absentmindedly walked them backward, until her shoulders collided with one of the cold, body length mirrors. “Fine,” she huffs. “If I give in, then what? You go away?” Frankly, she didn’t know what he wanted either. She didn’t know what would pacify him.

-

“You don’t want me to go away.” She didn’t have to agree with him. If this week taught him anything, it’s that she still cares. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be this upset and conflicted. And she wouldn’t have told him she loved him. Which was something he hasn’t said back yet. It wouldn’t have mattered if he did. She wasn’t going to leave Ashton for him. That much was clear. 

“The problem is, you’re too up here.” He kept his voice down to a low whisper as he brushed her hair back and touched her temple. She was overthinking things again. The outside world didn’t matter. Right now, it was just them. No one else. Ten years ago, drugs and alcohol helped with that. Most of their hookups happened after taking shots or snorting lines. The first time they had sex, he took a shot of tequila off her stomach and snorted ectasy from her boobs. They were young, wild, and crazy. Maybe that wasn’t them anymore. But that was a good thing because he wasn’t going to let her hide behind the excuse of intoxication anymore. If they were going to do something now, then she would have to take accountability for it. 

The only drug was the familiar touch of his fingertips, tracing the outline of her panties and stomach. “No one is going to find us in this maze. It’s not open yet. I’d say we have another twenty minutes.” He knew she was starting to cave and to make sure of it, he slipped his hand into her panties, and circles her clit in slow tormenting circles. Touching her was enough to make him hard. “Is that what you want? You want me to go away?” his pace slows down, but then continues, wanting to keep her hot and worked up. “Tell me what you want...” he whispers in her ear and then leans closer to kiss the side of her neck.