She shook her head. “Nope. Didn’t bring my purse.”
Lana groaned. “Good grief. You’re turning into a celebrity and you don’t carry anything for autographs?” Before he had a chance to respond, she dug into her purse and pulled out the notebook and pen, silently passing them to Pax. “Don’t fuck up my notes.”
“Well okay then.” He took it with a hesitant smile, then turned to the guy whose face continued to glow with hero worship.
“Who do I make it out to?” Paxton uncapped the pen with his teeth since his other arm held his water and supported his popcorn.
“Here, gimme that,” I murmured, grabbing his drink. “So we can get the hell out of here and watch the damn flying monkeys or whatever happens at a circus.”
Paxton chuckled, the pen moving over the paper as the fan gave his name. Making idle chit-chat, Paxton eventually tore off the paper and slapped the kid on the back, thanking him for his support.
“Can we go now?” I shoved the water toward his chest.
He stepped forward, his shirt pressing against the water and my fingers, his eyes twinkling as he took the bottle. “Sure, CC.”
I pivoted away, those old flutters of excitement brushing against my insides like a thousand tiny butterflies.
No, heusedyou to get what he wanted. Don’t you dare start feeling anything for him.
Getting closer to the tent, a male voice reverberated from speakers as he must’ve spoken to the crowd inside. Flags flew at the top, and this close, I could see the tent was a combination of two enormous tents melded together.
In the slight breeze, the flags waved, snapping loudly in the early night.
Lana led the way, pushing into the double opening of the tent, then glancing over her shoulder with a toothy grin. “This issocool.”
“This is not the place I had in mind when I agreed to talk.” Stepping through, I let my eyes adjust to the bright light of the structure.
On either side of me were metal bleachers filling up with onlookers ringing the enormous tent. Directly across the dirt and straw-covered ground, a curtain hid the other area of the tent, which I guessed was probably the backstage area for the performers and animals.
“Come on, Terri.” Lana had found a half-empty row in the front and had already sat. She patted the silver metal. “I found the perfect spot.”
I frowned as Paxton slid onto the seat next to her, then looked up at me expectantly. “You going to sit, Cotton Candy, or are you thinking about joining the performance tonight?”
“Youlook more like tonight’s entertainment than I do.” I glared at him.
His chest shook with laughter, then he pointed to his neck and arms. “You don’t like the artwork?”
I left a foot or so of space between us. “I don’t have anything against tattoos. I actually was referring to your acting abilities. You know, pretending you liked us so you could get what you wanted.” Settling my purse and food between his thigh and mine, I turned my gaze to the three rings in the middle of the tent.
My phone showed 7:55 and the show was supposed to start at 8:00. The way the stands were filling, my guess was tonight would be packed.
“Hey,” Paxton said, his voice cutting through the murmur of the excited crowd. “Your dad forced me to leave. If it had been up to me, I’d have stayed with you forever.”
Lana leaned over, her brown stare scouring Paxton’s face. “What do you mean Dad made you leave?”
From the opening at the back of the tent, a male clown ambled out, pushing a broom, his face painted into a sad smile. The crowd quietened.
I shivered.I hate clowns.
Paxton turned to Lana. “After your mom caught us…um…”
“Fucking?” Lana added, a devilish grin on her face.
“Dear God.” I threw popcorn into my mouth and stared straight ahead, determined not to let my little sister fluster me in front of Pax.
“Uh, that’s one way of putting it.” Paxton cleared his throat and gave a languid stretch of his arms. “So, he said I could either go back to the streets to take my chances in the foster system or take his offer to go to AMA and make something of myself.”
The creepy clown sadly pushed his broom, his face turning toward the crowd. He fisted a hand and pretended to rub his eyes as if he was crying.
