When I dared to look up at Jillian again, she had such compassion written all over her face. What had I done to deserve any of this? “Thank you,” I stuttered.
She gave a slight nod. “You don’t have to thank me, but you’re welcome. Are you sure that you don’t want to go home?” She tilted her head, then added, “We can leave if it will make you feel better. Watch a movie unless you want to be alone.” She removed her hands from her face, and I instantly missed her touch. I wanted it back. I wanted to feel Jillian’s hands all over my body. Her lips too, the more I thought about it. How it would sound if she moaned my name. And now, I was fucking hard again.
“I think I’ll be alright as long as you’re with me.” The words escaped my lips before I could stop them.
Jillian searched my face. “You’re just full of surprises, Hutch Kelly, aren’t you?” She sank her teeth into her bottom lip. “What do you want to do first? Ride the carousel? Throw darts at balloons or take a spin on the roller coaster? Please tell me you’re not afraid of heights because I need to go on the Ferris wheel before this night is over.” She grabbed my hands as she tried to pull me onto my feet.
“Everything,” I assured her as I stood up now that I felt more like myself. “Twice.” I let her lead me toward the closest ride which happened to be the swings.
Jillian laughed lightly. “Don’t tempt me, giant man, because I might hold you to it!” she teased.
As long as I got to spend time with her, I didn’t care what we did. If she wanted to ride the roller coaster all night long...I would do it.
Chapter Four
Jillian
After riding almostevery single ride with me, I now watched as Hutch devoured his second candy apple of the night, wondering when his panic attacks started. I had only known him for a short time, but that was the second time he’d had one around me, and the second time I had talked him down. He was a mystery; that was for sure. Jo tried to pump me for information about him the night after the beach party, but one, I didn’t have any, and two, I wouldn’t have told her if I did. It was simply none of her business.
“You’re really going to the carnival with Hutch?” Jo asked as we got ready together tonight. “I thought you and Knox were a thing.” She pushed a little further.
Anger flashed through me. “Knox and I are over.”
“What? Since when?”
I shook my head. “I think he fucked Madison Rae while I was gone. I don’t know; something is going on between the two of them, but neither will tell me. At the beach the other night, I saw them eye-fucking one another when they thought I wasn’t looking, but believe me, I was looking.” I chewed on my lip. “What has Pat ever told you about Hutch?” I watched the way my sister’s eyes narrowed.
She shook her head. “Not much. I mean, he went away one summer to camp, and when he came back?” She shrugged. “He was the way he is now. Quiet, shy, the mute.” She used quotes around the nickname Knox had used, which I despised. “Shit, you like him,” Jo declared, staring at me.
I blushed as I tried to duck my head. “I don’t, not like that.” However, that was a lie because I thought he was nice, but more than that, there was something there that I knew I could find if Hutch opened up just a little more. “Do me a favor, Jo?” I looked back up at my sister. “Please don’t call him ‘the mute’ around me. It’s not very nice.” It was mean, actually, and the more I got to know him, I realized that wasn’t who he was at all.
“You really like those, huh?” I asked, pointing at the apple in his hand.
Hutch stopped to look at me for a second. “I like sweets.” His ears turned pink before he started eating again.
“Are you having fun tonight?” I watched the way his tongue licked the melted caramel off the apple, and I wondered what else he could do with it.
