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THE COOL BREEZE SWIRLS AROUND me, trees swaying in the twilight sky. Blonde strands from my once-perfect Dutch braids lash at my tear-streaked cheek, and the bottom of my tight, white, button-down linen dress flutters against my thighs.
I don’t know how long I’ve been walking—must be close to an hour—or where I’m going, but I’m close enough now to realize that the lights I’ve been walking toward belong to a Ferris wheel in the distance.
Harmonized screams come in waves, and the scent of something sweet and cinna...
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A carnival. Or maybe ...
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I slow as I approach the hip-height metal gate, not wanting to draw attention from any of the people milling around, but no one seems to notice my presence. The profile of a guy in a black leather jacket catches my attention as he prowls across the patchy grass in front of me. He scratches at the stubble on his sculpted jaw and flicks his cigarette to the ground before he disappears behind a black and white striped tent.
Something flutters to my feet, and I look down to see a piece of yellow paper pressed against my once-white leather tennis shoes that are now coated with dirt. Bending over, I peel it off my ankles, reading the words:
Jessup Brothers Carnival Presents the Sons of Eastlake Freak Show * Games * Rides * Food * Fun This ...
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Ignoring the nagging guilt inside my head, my feet move in the direction of Leather Jacket Man. I glance around, making sure no one will see me sneaking in, then swing one leg over the gate. I scurry toward the tent, looking over my shoulder in a way that screams guilty.
When I’m finally inside, I’m shocked to see how many people can fit in here. There are rows upon rows of excited spectators of all ages with an aisle in the middle that leads to a giant ball-shaped cage of some sort.
“There he is, ladies and gentlemen! Sexy Sebastian has finally decided to grace us with his presence!” The announcer’s sardonic voice echoes throughout ...
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All eyes swivel to look past me, and when I turn to see what the fuss is about, I find Leather Jacket Man prowling in my direction. The leather jacket is gone, leaving only a black tank top with open side...
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Blazing green eyes roll at the nickname before they flash to mine for half a second. My back straightens under his gaze, and he lifts an eyebrow at me, as if he knows I...
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“Watch the Sons of Eastlake defy gravity in one of the oldest and most danger...
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“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for the Sons of Eastlake as they take on…the Globe…of…Death!”
“She’s with me.”
Silence fills the tent, everyone’s eyes on Leather Jacket Man. He’s straddling his motorcycle, helmet off, and he’s now holding the announcer’s microphone.
“She’s part of th...
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“Well, come on, Princess. We don’t have all night. We’ve got a show to do!”
Sebastian props his motorcycle on the kickstand and stands in front of me, those green eyes inspecting. Assessing.
“You scared?” he asks. His voice is low and softer than it was a second ago.
“What’s your name?” he asks, tipping my chin with the tips of his fingers so I’ll meet his eyes. Maybe he’s a hypnotist. I mean, this is a carnival. Don’t look him in the eye.
“Evangel—” I start. “Evan,” I correct myself, giving him the nickname my parents refuse to use. Evangeline sounds so uptight and snobby. And so what if I am both of those things? Right now, I don’t want to be that girl.
“I’ve been riding longer than I’ve been walking. I’ve never ...
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“Not for lack of trying,” the other guy mutters u...
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“And that asshole,” Sebastian says, flicking his chin toward him, “is Eros. I ...
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“Wanna have some fun, Evan?”
A smile stretches across my face, and I nod, feeling both sick and invigorated all at once. Fun. What a foreign concept.
“Atta girl.” He smirks, grabbing the helmet that dangles from his handlebars. “Keep your hands at...
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“Hands at your sides and focus on the lights, Princess!”
Being called Princess is enough to make me momentarily forget my nerves and glare at him, and the smirk I get in return tells me that was his intention.
Once he’s close enough, I throw my arms around his neck, squealing with the leftover nervous energy coursing through me. He hesitates for a moment before he gives me a one-armed hug in return, his palm coming to rest at the small of my back.
Even his scowl does nothing to take away from his pretty face. Pretty might not be the best way to describe him. His clothes are dingy and faded, his skin streaked with sweat and dirt…but his face. He’s like one of those 1950s heartthrobs from the movies my dad loves. Like a young Marlon Brando.
It’s dark now, making the carnival feel more alive than it did just half an hour ago. The Ferris wheel glows brightly in the night sky, and I gravitate toward it. This place is magic.
Maybe I could stay for just a little while longer…
“Hey!” a voice yells from somewhere behind me. I spin around to see Sebastian walking toward me,
“There you are.” I jump at the proximity of those words. They’re close to my ear and send chills down my bare arms.
“You must be a big deal,” I say, spinning around, leaning my elbows on the fence that marks the line to the Ferris wheel, referring to his adoring fans. He just shrugs, pulling out a box of cigarettes before lighting one up.
“People are drawn to train wrecks. It’s human nature. They can’t help it.”
“You’re a wreck?”
“That’s the understatement of t...
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“Well, Train Wreck, I’m Hot Mess. Nice to meet you.”
Sebastian chuckles, and I zero in on his mouth, noticing a half-moon scar under the corner of his lip.
“I very much doubt that,” he says, fingering the bottom of my dress with two fingers. My stomach flips and flutters at his touch. “In fact, puki...
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“Only on the outside,” I say, rolling my eyes. One of Sebastian’s dark, thick eyebrows quirks up, surprised, and I feel my cheeks heat at how ...
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“Seb!” a voice yells from my right. I look over to see Eros lumbering toward us.
“Let’s go. We’re gonna check that place out tonight,” he says, keeping it vague while cutting his eyes at me.
“Ready to have some real fun?” Sebastian asks me, as if being inside the Globe of Death is ...
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“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for you...
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“Come with us. I’ll give you a ride back,” he coaxes with a glint in his eye. Eros smirks, waiting for my response.
“Screw it.” I’m already grounded for the rest of eternity. Might as well make it worth it. The words are barely out of my mouth before Eros lunges for me, throwing me over his broad shoulder.
