Kids run by me as I head toward the small platform where the train rides start. Ollie is lingering by the front as kids squeeze into each of the cars.
“You ready to ride?” I smile at him.
“I don’t think anyone has ever taken me on a train ride before.”
A light snow starts to fall, catching in Ollie’s hair. I don’t think.
Grasping the back of his neck, I pull him in for a long, slow, sweet kiss. He tastes just like the hot chocolate from the cup in his hands.
“Mmm, delicious,” I whisper against his lips.
“Why’d you do that?” he whispers.
“Curious eyes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
I don’t know if anyone is around, but I don’t care. Right now, I have to quell this burning need inside of me for Ollie.
It does the opposite. It stokes the fire.
Fuck.
Ollie’s eyes are wide behind his glasses as he slides onto the bench seat next to me.
I really shouldn’t have done that. Not right before getting into a small space with him. Inhaling the clean soap smell that is Ollie.
“You know, you’re concentrating awfully hard on driving this train.”
I peek one eye at him. “You know, safety and all.”
We come up to the first copse of trees. Inflatables light up the dark night as oohs and aahs come from the back of the train.
“It’s a lot more fun up here with you,” Ollie says, nudging me in the shoulder.
“Want to learn to be the train conductor?”
“More like Ilikehanging with the conductor as he is now. I would not trust me to drive a train.”
I rest my arm along the back. “It’s really not hard. It’s basically on autopilot at this point.”
“Either way. I like being a passenger prince.”
“You make a good one.” I wink at him.
“Will you let me do this next year too?”
“I promise.”
I turn my attention back to the train as we come around to the old barn that’s lit up with Christmas lights. The thought of not being with Ollie next year at this time, even though this is fake, shouldn’t sting.
“Are you okay, Hunter?” Ollie asks after a few minutes.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” My answer is short. Shorter than it usually is.
“You don’t seem okay.”
