“Come on, let’s head over there.” Yoss pointed to a low overhang of trees on the edge of the carnival.
“Imogen, Di, and I could try charming the hottie at the gate,” Karla suggested.
The “hottie” was a middle-aged guy with more hair than teeth, and that wasn’t saying much.
“Come on, Karla.” Di grabbed her arm and pulled her along with the rest of us.
Yoss glanced around and quickly took off his shirt, laying it over the fence. I tried not to stare at his lean, tanned frame.
Like the rest of us, Yoss was skinny. I could see the outline of his ribs underneath his skin but he was beautiful despite that. My mouth became uncomfortably dry and I wasn’t the only one staring. Karla was grinning suggestively.
“Just hop over,” Yoss instructed. Shane was first. He climbed over with little effort. Di followed him. Then Karla. She struggled a little and conveniently had to hold onto Yoss.
“You coming, Imi? I can’t hold the fence down forever.” Yoss laughed and I scrambled over the barbed wire. My hand pressed into his chest as I used him to leverage myself up and over.
It was only when I was close that I saw the scars. Lots of them. I had seen a few around his neck and collarbone, but it was nothing compared to what was hidden by his clothes.
Long, jagged lines. Small, white circles. Crisscrosses over his chest. On his back.
Up and down his arms.
He was a patchwork of pain.
My fingers recoiled at the feel of the rough skin and I hated myself for it. Because Yoss noticed and the guilt was overwhelming.
“It’s okay. Some of them have been there a long time,” he whispered, his eyes heartbreaking.
“I didn’t mean—”
“Hurry up! Are you guys just going to hang out by the fence all day?” Karla complained.
I waited for Yoss to climb over and he quickly put his shirt back on, hiding his scars once again.
“Let’s go,” Yoss said. He pulled out a small wad of cash from his pocket. “We can even get some tickets to go on the rides.”
I didn’t want to usethatmoney. But I couldn’t tell him no. I didn’t want to hurt him. Not ever.
“Sounds good,” I told him, relieved when he took my hand again.
For the next hour, the five of us had a great time. Karla was able to flirt her way onto the Ferris wheel, and the rest of us got free rides too. We scored some cotton candy and caramel apples from the guy Karla had mentioned earlier. He certainly leered at her as though he knew her well enough.
My chin was sticky and Yoss laughed as he wiped my face. “I can’t take you anywhere,” he joked, licking caramel off his finger.
We were standing in line to get into the House of Mirrors. Karla, Shane, and Di were watching the really bad band play on the stage. Yoss had gotten us a few tickets for the attractions and I felt like maybe, it was a date.
Did homeless kids actually have dates? Was it possible?
Is that was this was?
“I’m a messy eater, what can I say?” I shrugged, grinning the whole time.
“You’ve got some on the corner of your mouth.” Yoss ran his thumb along my lower lip and our eyes met. They heated. They boiled over.
He was going to kiss me. Finally.
I leaned in. He leaned in. We were so, so close.
My eyes fluttered shut and I waited to feel his mouth on mine.
