We stop at the charity booth, and I let out a giggle when I see Ian back in the Dunk A Cop booth. Sans speedo this year.
“No speedo this year?” I ask West, still giggling.
He lets out a full-belly laugh. “Not this year. We banned speedos and Ms. Johnson.”
“Hi, guys,” Ian greets us.
I shift on my feet as Ian’s eyes linger a little longer on me before turning back over to West.
“Still dry?” West taunts him as he grabs three balls. “Not for much longer,” he says, throwing the first ball and hitting the target. Ian drops down and West cackles.
“Fuck off,” Ian grumbles, splashing water towards West.
Once Ian is seated again, West throws the next ball, and I watch as it hits the target a second time.
“Would you stop showing off for your girlfriend? The water is freezing, man.” Ian shoots daggers at West, and he heels over in laughter.
“Jade? You want to throw the last ball?” he asks me.
“Sure. I’ll give it a try.” I grab the ball from West’s hand and stand at the throwing line. With one try, the ball soars through the air and hits the target straight on. Ian drops, and West picks me up, spinning me around.
“That’s my girl!” My heart flutters at his words, and I don’t fight back the giant grin taking over my face.
“Did I mention I used to play baseball?” I giggle, making West laugh. He sets me down and laces our hands back together.
“You are full of surprises,” he says, looking at me in a way that makes me feel open and vulnerable. Like he wants to know everything there is about me.
I smile at how easy it was to share a piece of myself with him like that. I don’t even think I ever told Sarah I played ball.
“You wanna hit up the Ferris wheel?” West asks, and I raise my eyes, remembering him mentioning he doesn’t do rides.
“I thought you didn’t like rides?” I ask.
“I don’t. But I’m not above using the Ferris wheel as an excuse to sit close to you and put my arm around you.”
I smile, biting my lip. “Ahh. The old Ferris wheel trick.” I giggle.
“You know it. So, what do you think?”
“Sure. Let’s do it.”
Hands still clasped, we make our way over to the line and wait our turn. When the cart stops and opens for us, West hesitates for a moment before sitting down. The ride starts to move, and West wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer. My heart beats faster, and I have so many butterflies. We go around a few times before coming to a jerking stop at the very top.
From up here, we can see the whole town and the stunning landscapes of the hills and river in the distance.
“Wow.” My breath leaves me. “What a beautiful view.”
“I agree,” West says, but he’s not looking at the hills. He’s looking at me.
The cart finally begins to move, and the jerk of it has West tensing up.
“You good?” I ask. His face is pale, and his leg bounces up and down as we continue to go around.
“Yup. Mhm.” He brings his arm back from around me, and I fight a sigh at the loss as he grabs the bar in front of us with white knuckles. Placing a hand over his, I rub his knuckles trying to offer comfort.
“Why don’t you tell me something about yourself?” I suggest as a way to distract him. “Did you always want to be a cop?”
He nods, and I feel his hands relax. “I did. My grandfather on my mom’s side was a cop. I always looked up to him.”
