“What?” I shouted. “I can’t hear over the ringing in my ears.”
“Sorry,” she said, grinning. She didn’t look sorry at all.
“What’s next?” Nicky asked, glancing between Ryan and the pendulum of death with a sinister grin.
“How about a game?” I suggested, and everyone agreed, even Nicky.
We made our way past some food stands, the delicious scent of fried dough wafting through the air, and stopped at the ring toss. We aggressively tried to out-toss each other, and in a surprise twist, only Juliette landed one. She squealed, and the girls rushed her, hugging her like she’d won the lottery while Dylan watched with pride.
“Very impressive, baby,” he said when she threw her arms around him.
“Aww,” Jenna murmured, leaning her head on my shoulder as we watched them like proud parents. They’d been through hell, and thank God they’d clawed their way back to health and back to each other, because the love they shared was something special. I kissed Jenna’s forehead, love and gratitude for her filling my chest.
We wandered hand in hand through the park, trailing Dylan and Juliette who were also holding hands—and her giant stuffed cow—and Ryan and Nicky, who were bickering about funnel cake versus fried Oreos.
“Cute cow,” Jenna said, and Dylan steadied Juliette as she turned to smile back at her.
“Do you have a thing for cows?” I asked Jenna.
“What?” She looked up at me, brows furrowed. “No.”
“You have that longhorn painting in your bedroom?” It was big and whimsical, and it stuck out like a rainbow-colored sore thumb in her bunker-like bedroom.
“Oh, I just thought it felt very Texas-ish and fun.” Jenna said it lightly, but then she stiffened and hesitated, caught up on something behind my shoulder. I pulled her closer and followed her gaze.
“The Ferris wheel?” That’s what she was looking at, but her reaction didn’t make sense.
She nodded without taking her eyes off the spinning lights. I ran a finger down her jaw, gently turning her face toward me.She finally met my eyes, and I nearly drowned in the depth of despair churning in hers.
“Can we go on it?” she asked.
“You want to go on the Ferris wheel?” I clarified, because she looked like she was asking for a lobotomy, not a ride.
“Yes.”
I whistled softly to get the guys’ attention. Dylan and Ryan turned around immediately, followed by the girls. “Go on ahead,” I said. “We’ll meet up with you in a bit.”
They held my gaze, questioning it for a moment, then agreed with a chin lift, but the girls weren’t as easily convinced.
“What are you doing?” Nicky narrowed her eyes.
“Are you okay?” Juliette asked.
“I’m good,” Jenna answered. “Just want a little time alone.” She shot me a wide, fake smile.
They still hesitated, and I reminded myself I was glad she had friends who cared so much.
Dylan gently tugged Juliette’s hand, urging her to follow him, and she pulled Nicky with her. “Call if you need anything,” Ryan said before he followed them, too.
I gripped Jenna’s shoulders, anchoring her to me. “What’s going on, Firefly?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to go on the ride with you.”
I fought to keep my cool. The only thing I wanted as much as Jenna in my arms was my hands wrapped around Brian Belke’s neck. I didn’t know for a fact that was it, but Iknew. Jenna had said their families did everything together, so it made sense that included amusement parks. I should’ve thought of that before I brought her here.
“Stop,” she said firmly, as though she’d read my mind. “I’m okay. Better than okay. I’m having a great time.”
I pressed a kiss to her head, then tucked her under my arm and led her through the swarm of obliviously happy people to face whatever demons the Ferris wheel held for her. I wanted to tell her she had nothing to prove and that she didn’t need to do this, but I didn’t. She walked with a death grip on the back of my shirt and on my two little fingers, but her steps were determined and her head was held high, and I was so damn proud.