Carnival’s Playground

Carnival
I roll into Grimwood Crossing looking for work, not looking for her, but Avery slams into my life like a fist to the jaw and I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s got a mouth on her sharp enough to cut glass, and I like it more than I should. We clash over every little thing, rigging, schedules, who’s right, who’s an idiot, and somehow all that friction turns into something I don’t have a name for yet. Behind the scenes at this Halloween circus, we’re constantly in each other’s space, constantly testing each other, and I realize I’m not just thinking about the work anymore. I’m thinking about her. About us. Then Halloween ends and I realize I’m done running, because for the first time in my life, I’ve got someone worth staying for. Someone worth building a life with, even if that life is on the road.

Avery
I don’t ask for a six-foot something biker to crash into my life, but that’s exactly what Carnival does, boots first, attitude worse. I give him hell because he deserves it, and he gives it right back, which frustrates me and does something else too, something I’m not ready to name. We work this circus together, arguing over every detail until the arguing turns into laughing, and the laughing turns into something softer I can’t fight anymore. There’s something about the way he moves through the chaos of this place, the way he handles the rigging and the crew, the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention. I realize I trust him with more than just the show. I trust him with me. Halloween ends, and Carnival stops running, choosing me instead for good. Choosing us. And I’m done running too.