And then it was over. The car came to a standstill exactly where we had begun. All the fear left my body, replaced by an amazing adrenaline rush.
I got it now, what everyone always gushed about when recounting their terrifying experiences of an amusement park ride or skydiving or something equally as dangerous. I felt invincible, like I could do absolutely everything.
“Well? What do you think?” Cole asked as he helped me down.
I was giggling like a little kid. “That was so much fun.”
“What did I tell you?”
“That it would be fun.”
“Are you ready for something a little bigger?” He held out his hand as an invitation. I knew if I took it, I would have to go on another rollercoaster. And it probably wouldn’t stop with two.
Like Grandma said, regret the things you do and not those you don’t. Even if that means barfing up your entire breakfast.
I put my hand in his, I was in. “Let’s go.”
Cole didn’t wait for me to change my mind. We left Lollipop Lane and continued on through the rides. By the fifth one, I was actually enjoying myself without having the dread beforehand.
Rollercoasters were fun, who would have thought? I screamed with every twist and wanted to throw up with every turn. But right next to me the entire time was Cole. His beaming smile was enough to put any of my fears to rest.
Lunchtime was a welcome lull in all the thrill rides. “Come with me,” Cole directed. I followed along like a puppy dog, butterflies in my stomach with anticipation. And hunger.
“We’re not eating on a ride, are we?” I asked, hoping I was only joking.
“You always have to know what’s going on, don’t you? I’m sensing you probably aren’t big on surprises.”
“You’ve got that right.” Surprises were rarely good, I knew that from experience. Like when you came home from school and surprise, your mother left for good without you. Or surprise, someone dropped their earring in the frying oil and you have to stop everybody in the place eating their fries before someone chokes to death.
Surprises sucked.
“Well, you’re going to like this one,” Cole promised. He didn’t give me any more clues, just led me to the pond in the middle of the amusement park.
A series of little row boats were lined up along the bank. Cole took the one nearest and nodded toward it. “Coming?”
“You want me to get into that tiny little boat?” It looked like it would sink with the weight of two people. Apparently I had trust issues to go along with my surprise issues.
“It’s not going to hurt, I promise.”
I stepped past him, testing the boat with one foot. It didn’t immediately sink. “You make a lot of promises, you know that?”
“And have I broken one yet?” He asked happily, waiting patiently until I was all the way onto the boat before getting in himself.
“No,” I admitted. Something told me he took promises seriously, like it wasn’t just a throwaway line like it might be for some people.
He settled on the bench across from me. Our knees were touching in the small vessel. No matter where I put my legs, I couldn’t avoid touching him. The slight grazing of our skin made my face blush red to match my dress.
I tried to cover my rosy cheeks before he noticed. “So, Captain, where are we going and what does this have to do with getting something to eat?”
“Just wait and see.” He grinned and gripped both the boat oars before starting to row the boat out into the middle of the lake.
I looked around nervously, I was trapped. I liked being able to leave a place if I wanted to, but Cole had me cornered with no way out. There were my trust issues again.
“This is a good spot,” Cole declared as he let the oars fall to the side. Thankfully they were the type that couldn’t slip into the water accidently, otherwise I might have started to really panic.
He pulled a blue checkered cloth from a mound on the floor next to us to reveal a picnic basket. “Aww, you brought a picnic for lunch?” I asked.
“I told you we’d get some food,” Cole said proudly. It was possibly the sweetest thing ever. And romantic too. I felt like someone out of an old movie, being wooed by her sweetheart.
He pulled out two sandwiches and held one out for me. “It’s salad, I hope that’s okay. I was going to go ham and cheese but then I didn’t know if you liked ham… or cheese. So I thought if everything was on there, you could take out what you didn’t like. Or whatever, you don’t have to eat it. I can go back and-” I cut him off, he needed to take a breath.
“It’s okay, I like salad.” He visibly relaxed. “I like ham and cheese too, for future reference.”
“Noted.” He handed me a bottle of water to accompany my sandwich. “Can I confess something?”
Cole could do whatever he wanted at that stage. I was desperately trying to control the butterflies in my stomach because he kept doing things that made them flutter all over again. I nodded, unable to find the words to reply while my stomach was doing back flips.
“I’ve never met anyone like you. And I know that probably sounds like a line or something, but it’s not. It’s a statement of fact.” He looked down at his feet while talking, daring to peek out through his long eyelashes only at the end.
I was pretty sure I looked as shocked as I felt. Nobody had ever said something like that to me before. For a few moments, all I could do was munch on my sandwich and hope I didn’t get lettuce stuck in my teeth.
Cole’s gaze fell to the floor again as he focused on eating his own lunch. I didn’t know what to say to him. I really enjoyed spending time with him too, but I wasn’t sure if my feelings were real or if it was just because of who he was. I had been in love with Cole Newton for almost a year, but was that really him, or just his public persona? I wasn’t sure.
“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way,” Cole started. “I just wanted you to know that I don’t do this kind of thing very often. I don’t normally feel this way about anyone. I sing about it all the time, but I’ve never really experienced it before.”
I really wanted to ask him what exactly he was feeling and experiencing but I didn’t have the nerve to. Whatever was going on inside his head was his business, definitely not mine, the girl he had only known for a week.
But I needed to say something. Cole had just hooked his heart onto his sleeve and I was only sitting there like a statue. Say something, Melrose!
“I, uh, I’m having a good time too,” I said. Apparently that was the best I could come up with. Good one, Melrose, good one.
Cole beamed, a bright smile that was almost too dazzling in the midday sun. Paired with the reflection on the still water, I needed sunglasses.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time,” he replied. “I meet a lot of people and none have I wanted to please more than you.”
A smile curled my lips, I couldn’t contain it. Perhaps I didn’t have to work out my own feelings right now, perhaps soon I would wake up from my dream and realize none of it was real after all.
We finished our sandwiches in silence. There were a million questions I wanted to ask Cole but I didn’t want him to think he was being interviewed. If I believed what he said, there would be plenty of time to ask him later on.
“Hey, check out the ducks,” Cole said, pointing to a family of birds just past the front of the boat. I had to swivel around to see them, making my leg more than brush his. I was almost sitting in his lap as we leaned around to watch the ducks.
I could feel the heat radiating from him he was so close. It momentarily made me forget all about the ducks and the boat and the rollercoasters. All that existed was his gorgeous self, wrapping around me like a cuddly blanket.
I was so distracted I didn’t notice the way our bodies moved and shifted the weight in the boat. Before I knew it, we were tipping over. The only place to go was into the cold water.
Chapter Seven
The water was surprisingly warm, c
onsidering it was horrible pond water. The boat completely overturned, sending us sprawling into the liquid.
I spluttered as I came up for air, my feet unable to reach the bottom. I looked around, trying to work out my options as quickly as possible. We were dead center in the pond, any direction required some swimming.
“Melrose, are you okay? Can you swim?” Cole asked frantically. He was treading water, one hand still on the overturned boat, the other reaching for me.
“I’m fine, are you?”
“Yeah. We’re going to have to swim. Are you cool with that?”
I nodded and we exchanged one last glance before swimming back to shore. The ducks that had caused us to unbalance swam off without a care in the world. They didn’t even apologize.
We eventually reached the pond edge and staggered out of the water. I was drenched, the water tickled as it ran down my stomach under my shirt – which was clinging to my skin in an embarrassing way. At least I still had my shoes.
Cole whipped off his shirt, wringing it out with both hands. Oh my gosh, he was shirtless. Oh my gosh, he caught me staring. I averted my eyes, feeling my face flushing with embarrassment. As if I didn’t have enough to be embarrassed about with my see-through shirt and messed up hair.
“We’re going to need clothes,” Cole said.
“I didn’t bring a spare set.”
“Come on, we’ll find something.” He held out his hand, I took it. Our fingers locked together, despite how slippery they were from our forced dip.
We squelched with each step. My underwear was sticking to my butt in the worst possible way but I wasn’t going to get caught adjusting them. I just walked like the stupid ducks instead.
Cole led me to the gift shop and stood at the door to get the attendant’s attention. “Um, would you have something for us to change into?”
The lady took one look at us and hurried over. “What happened?”
“We accidently took a swim in the pond,” Cole explained. It took all my focus not to stare at his naked chest. Look away, Melrose, look away.
The lady’s name badge said Melody, she was doing a good job of avoiding Cole’s chest too. “Come in and I’ll find you something to wear.”
We followed her in and waited as she flitted around the store, pulling out clothes in our sizes. She pushed the items into our hands and pushed us toward the change rooms.
I squelched when I took off my clothes too. I didn’t want to put them on the floor and get the carpet wet so I hung them over the hook so they could drip instead.
Melody didn’t have another bra for me so I had to keep my wet one on. I guessed it would dry eventually. Luckily, she did have panties for me – a pack of five. Along with everything else, they had the Wesham Wild Fun Park logo across them. It was a good thing Cole wasn’t going to be seeing them, that would be embarrassing. I wondered if he was changing into a matching set.
I slipped on the panties, some black shorts, and a hot pink t-shirt. Taking a look in the mirror, I looked like the gift shop had thrown up on me. It was going to have to do.
I stepped back into the store where Melody handed me a plastic bag for my wet clothes. “Make sure you come by and pick these up before you go,” she said.
“I will,” I promised.
The curtain on Cole’s change room opened and he stepped out. His shirt was neon green, his shorts dark blue. And he definitely looked like the gift shop had thrown up on him.
I couldn’t help it, I burst into a fit of giggles. We looked like the worst tourists ever. Cole couldn’t contain his laughter either, cracking up on sight.
“This is going to ruin my image if it ever gets out,” he joked, catching his breath.
“My phone was in my pocket, it’s probably dead. I can’t take any photos. Although, I wish I could.”
“You can’t talk, Miss Morgan.”
I looked down at my outfit. “No, I guess I can’t.”
He linked his arm through mine and led me toward the door. “Thank you, Melody. We shall return to collect our clothes. Right after we ride the biggest rollercoaster in this place.”
My stomach turned with anticipation. We had been working our way up the ladder of scary rides. Apparently I had graduated to the mother of them all. At least if I threw up, I wouldn’t ruin my new clothes. They were so bright nobody would probably even notice.
If someone had told me I would be riding the Monster Mash Coaster, I would tell them they were lying. Even when I was being strapped into the seat, I still didn’t know if I believed it or not.
Yet within seconds, the ride started and it all became real very fast. I screamed my way around the rollercoaster. At least I think the screaming belonged to me, I couldn’t tell what my body was doing for sure.
I was thrown about like a loose leaf in a storm and terrified for my life. I gripped the safety bar so hard my knuckles were white and I thought for sure I saw my life flash before my eyes.
And then it was over. It felt like I was riding that thing for a year, but apparently it was only eighty-six seconds. All I knew was that when we stopped and I had to stand, my legs didn’t want to hold me up any longer.
Cole’s arm slipped around my waist as he took my weight. I leant against him, deciding it was the better option than face planting on the ground.
“Whoa, let’s get you to a seat,” he soothed, guiding me over to the waiting area. Thank goodness there wasn’t anyone besides Cole and the ride attendant to witness my downfall. He helped me to sit on the bench and took the seat beside me. His hand still burned as it gently rested on my waist.
“The world needs to stop spinning,” I moaned, holding my head between both of my hands. “It’s going to stop soon, right?”
He grinned. Obviously my pain brought him amusement. “Take a few deep breaths. In and then out, in and then out.”
I gave it a try, gulping air into my throat. The oxygen filtered through my lungs into my bloodstream and wound its way to my brain. The world slowed down around me as things started to come back into focus. Apparently I wasn’t spinning around in circles after all.
“That was awesome,” I exclaimed.
“Do you want to go again?” Cole asked eagerly. Was it wrong that I actually did want to put myself through all that again? Probably. Was I going to do it anyway? Definitely.
“Hell yes.”
“That’s my girl.” He grinned and the ride attendant prepared us for another go. I don’t know what was more intoxicating, the rollercoaster or the fact Cole Newton just referred to me as his girl.
We ended up riding the Monster Mash four times before deciding we’d had enough. The afternoon went by too quickly and, before I knew it, our date was coming to a close. Cole had a concert to get to and I had a parent to deal with.
Cole walked me to the waiting limo, Mr. Driver already standing with the door open for me. I really didn’t want to leave, I’d never wanted to stay somewhere so badly before.
“Thank you for today,” I started, unsure exactly how to thank someone for closing down an entire amusement park for me. “I had a lot of fun.”
Cole took a step closer to me, he was standing so close there was no gap between us. I could feel his body pressed up against mine and I loved the way we fit together.
His hand brushed a stray strand of hair off my face. I shivered but it had nothing to do with the weather. His face was so close to mine I could feel his breath caress my skin.
“I had a lot of fun too,” he said, repeating my words. “I would really like to see you again. Can I call you sometime to arrange another date?”
“I would like that.”
“Good.” He was dangerously lingering in the kissing zone. I desperately wanted him to lean down so our lips could meet. It wouldn’t take much of an effort, just an inch or two. My butterflies were going off their heads.
Our eyes locked together, our gaze holding for an interminable amount of time. It was going to happen, Cole Newton was going to kiss me. I w
as going to die. Literally, drop dead right then and there.
He gasped, taking a deep breath and stepping back suddenly. “Thank you, Miss Morgan. I shall call you.”
“Yeah,” I muttered. Mr. Driver nodded toward the door. I took the hint and climbed in. Apparently the one and only Cole Newton wasn’t going to kiss me after all. He just stood there, watching me leave.
Chapter Eight
“He’s obviously not going to call,” I moaned.
Dallas pulled her sunglasses down long enough to stare at me. “Run by me again what he said.”
“I shall call you,” I repeated, for the twentieth time that morning. We were lazing on towels in my backyard, enjoying the Sunday weather.
She made a face, like what Cole said was a bad thing. “I shall call you? Who talks like that? What are we, in the olden days or something?”
“He’s polite.”
“He’s a weirdo. Cole Newton is officially a weirdo.”
I didn’t think he was a weirdo. I did, however, think he wouldn’t really call. If he wanted another date, he would have kissed me. He was in the zone, I was a willing partner, he had the go-ahead. A guy that likes a girl doesn’t not kiss her.
I shrugged. “Maybe he changed his mind? Perhaps I was just a distraction to pass the time while he was between concerts.”
“It’s a pity. I had already picked out the dress I was going to wear to the Grammy awards.” Dallas sighed.
I pushed her playfully. “Wouldn’t I have been the one going to the Grammys?”
“You’d need a date, because Cole would be busy with the rest of the band. Oh, and he would introduce me to Nick at the after party and he’d instantly fall in love with me.”
I laughed, so that was apparently how it was going to go. If Cole had kissed me anyway. He wouldn’t be calling now, but at least I had that one day. I would always remember the perfect day we spent in a deserted amusement park.
The Star Kissed Collection Page 4
