“What about the carousel?” I suggest.
“Sure,” he agrees, starting to wake up a little more now as he nuzzles and kisses my neck.
There’s no rush to get out of bed, so I reachbetween us to palm his hot, thick erection. We might as well get the morning started off right.
Two, maybe three times...
****
We manage to make it out of his room, freshly showered and completely rung out some time just before noon. After a stop for a leisurely brunch, we go in search of the rainbow carousel that Trick mentioned a few days ago.
“Where do you think this thing is?” Flynn asks as the two of us walk down the quiet street. After five days, we’re getting to know the rhythm of the place. Before about two in the afternoon, everyone seems to be sleeping off their hangovers or going for a second round with whoever tumbled into their bed the night before. Anyone whoisawake is usually down at the beach or up in the hills for a hike.
“No clue.” We probably should’ve asked someone, but the island isn’tthatbig. How hard can it be to find a carousel?
Halfway down the street, I notice a sign on the front lawn of one of the houses. It has a picture of a fluffy brown-and-black cat, honestly more like a mug shot. Written beside the picture is an explanation:Mr. Tubbs is an underwear thief. If you lost a pair of underwear, check the clothesline.There’s an arrow pointing to the right.If you’ve found a pairof underwear, please place them there as well.
Sure enough, there’s a dozen or so different pairs of underwear hung up waiting to be claimed, as well as a man. He’s possibly the largest human I’ve ever seen, definitely over six feet. He’s a bear of a guy with a soft body and brown hair. He clips a pair of lacy panties onto the line with a clothespin and then bends down to pick up a small paper bag off the ground.
“Hey,” I say, hoping he’ll be able to point us in the right direction.
He gives us a relaxed, friendly smile. “Hey. Lux,” he says, offering his hand. “Can I help you guys with something?”
“Yeah, we’re looking for the rainbow carousel. Do you know where it is?” With a name likeLux,something tells me he’s a local. Seriously, can’t justoneof them be named John or something?
Not that I have a lot of room to talk, I guess. My eyes drop to the paper bag in his hand, and I notice the wordEasyscrawled across it sloppily in black marker.
“Okay, what the hell doesEasymean? We’ve seen it everywhere,” I ask before he can answer my first question. “It was on a sign, tattooed on some random guy’s ass, and now it’s written on your bag.”
Lux glances down at the paper bag as if he’s just now realizing he’s holding it.
“He’s my best friend and roommate,” he answers as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I’m bringing him his lunch. He forgot it this morning, and if I don’t take it to him, he’ll eat donuts all day.”
“Your roommate is named Easy?” Flynn asks, sounding skeptical.
“Yeah, he’ll fuck anyone. He pretty much has.” He frowns as if a thought just occurred to him. “Except for me. Anyway, if you’re looking for the rainbow carousel, you want to take the trail that leads up to the hills. About a mile in, you’ll find a clearing to your left.” His relaxed smile returns. “There are signs. You can’t miss it.”
“That’s one mystery solved, I guess,” I muse. “Thanks for the help.”
“No problem. I run the surf shop down by the long beach. Stop by if you want to rent kitesurfing equipment or whatever else.”
“Thanks,” we both say.
Lux gives us a quick wave and then takes off, leaving us on our quest to find the carousel.
FLYNN
When Trick mentioned the carousel, I kind of figured it would be on a boardwalk somewhere or something. Ididn’tanticipate having to trudgethrough an overgrown trail to find it. We make it through the trees, following the signs that Lux had mentioned, and as we step into the clearing, I hear Real gasp.
The sun shines down on the small, brightly painted carousel. It looks so out of place out in the middle of the woods but clearly well maintained. Wildflowers are growing all around it, honeybees and butterflies dancing through the air without a care in the world. Birds chirping and the gentle breeze through the trees are the only sounds that reach us. It feels like we’ve stepped into a fairytale.
“I am so mad at Robbie right now for making me leave my camera at home,” Real laments, staring in awe at the beautiful scene in front of us.
“We’ll come back sometime, and you can bring your camera,” I say. He squeezes my hand, turning a sweet, hopeful smile on me.
“I’d like that.”
I lean in and brush a soft kiss against his lips. He sighs against me, swaying into me as if he can’t help but get closer. My heart beats faster, every inch of my skin tingling with awareness at his presence.
