Standing up and dusting himself off, Creepy the Clown gave me a petulant glare, then pulled an old horn from his ridiculously oversized pockets, pointed its end toward me, and gave it a loud honk. He then moseyed over to the next row, shoving his bent red poppy to some other poor soul.
“Ugh. If this is any indication of what a circus is like, I’mgladMom and Dad never took us.” I hunched down and chewed a few pieces of popcorn.
“It’ll be fun, I promise. Just give it a chance.” Paxton resumed rubbing his jeans as if he was nervous.
Hesitantly, I laid a hand over his and he immediately stopped, lifting his stare to mine.
A tiny smirk pulled the corner of Lana’s mouth, then she leaned forward as a woman, dressed in a long, black coat with tails, strolled to the closest ring carrying a microphone.
Paxton turned his hand over and gave me a soft squeeze.
I bit my lip and smiled, the reassuring touch bringing me back to those nights at dinner when we’d clasp our fingers together under the table, silently lending each other our strength.
The lights in the tent dimmed and a spotlight shone on the woman.
She smiled. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Are you ready for a magical, mystifying time tonight filled with impossible acrobatic feats, fire-breathing dragons, and death-defying escapades?”
Cheers from the onlookers rang through the tent, shaking the metal seat under my thighs. The spotlight swayed back and forth across the main ring and tent walls. Fog crept across the ground, lending an eerie, ominous mood.
“Then I bring you our first act. Zombie Pirates of the Caribbean.” She stepped into the dark, and a man, dressed in old-fashioned pirate garments, drew his saber. The metallic rasp of it sliding from its scabbard could be heard throughout the room as everyone seemed to hold their breath.
He turned to the crowd and raised a finger to his lips.
Soft growling noises floated from the dark, and then a group of three zombies appeared, fangs dripping moisture and their faces showing fake skin sloughing from their cheeks and forehead.
“Yes,” Lana hooted, pumping her fist in the air.
“Oh shit. I’m never going to be able to sneak out of here now,” I muttered.
Paxton gently nudged my shoulder with his. “That was the plan.” He waggled his eyebrows.
While the rest of the spectators focused on the unfolding attraction, I didn’t even bother turning to see if the pirate would succumb to his nemeses. The only thing my eyes wanted to drink in was the image of Pax’s face as he stared at me. The face I knew so well yet didn’t. The face which had haunted me for the past twelve years, but now brought me peace. The face that spoke so much without saying a word.
He leaned his mouth next to my ear, his breath tickling my neck. “I never stopped loving you, CC.”
I squeezed my eyelids shut. A great weight lifted from my chest. No matter how much our lives—and love—had veered off course, we could still find our way back to one another. Wasn’t this proof?
His warm breath caressed my skin and I turned my head, pressing my lips to his, glad it was dark in the stands. Not that I truly cared if Lana saw us, but it made me feel as if Paxton and I were the only people who existed at that moment.
He pushed into the kiss, his tongue rough and possessive, his hands sliding across my stomach and up my waist as I cupped his neck, pulling him closer.
A relieved sigh washed through my body at the sensation of being found once again when I hadn’t even known I’d been lost.
Chapter thirty-one
Paxton Ross
I’dlongedforthismoment since I’d been sixteen. Holding CC in my arms once again felt like the truest, purest thing I’d ever done.
The regret I’d held onto over the years lessened.
Her lips curved against mine, telling me she smiled.
I pulled back, my breathing heavy and uneven, but didn’t remove my hands from her body. “What’s so funny?”
She shook her head and grinned wider. “I just didn’t expect this tonight. I’d planned on giving you the finger and turning away.” Her focus drifted to my neck. “Instead, here I am, ensnared by that same boy who forged me through the fire of heartbreak.”
Distantly, the show came to an end and the crow d gave it a standing ovation, but I didn’t look away from CC. How could I? She was the most fascinating person here.
