“Ferris Wheel?” I arch my brow at him. “Isn’t that the one that takes forever to go around in a full circle? Like, the boringest ride ever?”

“What? I find it relaxing,” he says with this sexy half-grin. “Besides, it’s probably one of the best date rides ever because you get to spend all your time talking during the slow circle.”

He waits for me to agree that we should meet up. I know what agreeing would mean, that I’m deciding to open myself up again, to love, to heartache, to pain.

My heart thrashes in my chest as I surprise myself and nod. “Okay, I’ll see you there.”

He grins as he takes out his phone. “What’s your number? I’ll text you when I get there.”

I give him my phone number and he punches it into his contacts. Moments later, my phone vibrates from inside my pocket and I take it out.

Unknown: Hey, it’s Greyson. Thought you should have my number, too.

I fight back a grin, feeling stupidly happy, but I can’t completely ignore the scars on my hand as I send him a reply text.

Chapter 5

Greyson

“Aw, man.” Jenna sticks out her lip at the empty bag of cotton candy she’s holding. “I’m tapped out.”

We’re at the carnival, wandering past the booths. The air smells like candy apples and funnel cakes, neon lights flash against the night sky, and dings and laughter flow around us.

“That’s okay,” Ari says, dragging his fingers through his long black hair. He’s got on a leather jacket, even though it’s seventy degrees out, and seems a little exhausted. “You’ve had so much already you have a sugar high.”

Jenna shakes her head and her pout deepens. “I could eat at least two more bags.”

“Fine, you can eat two more bags, but only if I get to stop on the way home and buy a six pack of energy drinks,” he challenges with his arms crossed and I wonder if keeping up with Jenna’s nonstop energy caused his exhaustion.

Jenna crinkles her nose. “No way. You act like a yo-yo when you drink too many of those.”

“A yo-yo?” I ask, laughing. “What does that even mean?”

She shoots Ari a conniving grin then says, “It means he’s all over the place, like a crazy madman who can’t sit still. Up and down and up and down. It drives me absolutely crazy.”

“Well, I feel the exact same way when you eat too much sugar,” he retorts with a smirk.

I laugh. The two of them have been going back and forth the entire night. I’m starting to realize it’s their thing. They’re really good together, though, and I find myself wishing I had someone to be that way with. With the guys I’ve dated in the past, I never felt connected enough.

“You look good tonight,” Jenna says to me as she balls up the bag and chucks in into a nearby trash bin. “Do you have a hot date or something?” When I hesitate, her eyes light up. “You so do, don’t you?”

“It’s not a date,” I clarify as we head toward the rides, pushing past a group of people who are either high on sugar or just really fucking happy to be at a carnival. “I just told someone I’d meet him here to hang out.”

“Is it that guy you took all those pictures of?” she asks, slipping her fingers through Ari’s.

I shrug, dodging around a couple making out in front of a balloon game. “Maybe.”

Her lips curve to a grin. “I knew it.” She trades a knowing look with Ari. “Didn’t I tell you that the other day? That he was going to end up with the guy in all his pictures?”

Ari sighs a here-we-go-again sigh. “Yeah, you told me, but it doesn’t mean you’re a psychic.”

“It so does, too.” She sticks out her tongue then jerks on his arm. “Come on. You promised me you wouldn’t be a baby this time and you’d ride the Zipper with me.”

Ari’s skin pales. “You know I hate super fast rides.” He swallows hard as his gaze finds the spinning ride tucked in the far back corner. “And ones that go high.”

“You promised me,” she reminds him.

He heaves a heavy sigh. “All right.” He glances at me. “Greyson, you coming?”

Wanting to wait until Seth texts me, I shake my head. “I think I’m going to chill here for a while.”

“And wait for the guy!” Jenna singsongs as she skips off toward the Zipper, towing a reluctant Ari behind her.

I lean against the side of a booth and watch people pass by to kill time. When ten minutes pass, I start to grow restless and wish I had my camera here. There’s so many people around and with the crazy lighting going on, it’d make for some awesome pictures.

As more time passes, I turn to my camera phone and as discreetly as I can, sneak a picture of a guy and a girl making out on a booth kitty-corner from where I’m standing. I find it amazing to watch them, completely losing themselves in a sea of people, entirely oblivious to everything going on around them.

After I get the right shot, I put my phone away, starting to regret my decision to stay off the rides. While Seth and I didn’t necessarily set a specific time to meet up, it’s getting late. With how hot and cold he’s been, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stood me up.

As if he can read my doubtful thoughts, the phone suddenly vibrates. I dig it out and Seth’s name flashes across the glowing screen.

Seth: Where r u?

I glance at the spinning ride beside me then message him back.