Chapter Twenty-One

 

Elle

 

 

 

Colton has been on the roller coaster six times already and he’s starting to look quite pale. Poor thing. All the ladies of the knitting club want a piece of him. I don’t know what happens to them during the ride, but when they get off, they all have this blissed-out look on their faces.

I must say, I get where they’re coming from. When I think about how Colton looks at me, and kisses me, and holds me close, well… I can hardly keep it together. Just before, he made this remark about taking me on a ride and I still don’t know whether he meant that in a straightforward way or if he was alluding to something else. Either way, I want to spend every waking minute with him. As soon as we tell Maggie, I want everyone else to know how crazy I am about this guy.

By the time the roller coaster has gone around the tracks eight times, Colton looks horrible. That is, as horrible as a gorgeous guy like him can look. It’s not fair. When I was wearing that hot dog costume, I looked like a turd, yet here he is, making nausea look like a dazzling fashion statement. He seats himself on a park bench and puts his head between his knees.

Myrtle appears from the coaster, throwing her hands in the air. “This mas wate!”

Oh my goodness, she’s having a stroke. I knew loading a bunch of old ladies onto a roller coaster was a bad idea. I rush toward her. “Are you okay? Do I need to call an ambulance?”

She frowns. “Why?”

As she speaks the word, my eyes travel to her mouth and I jump. “What happened to your teeth?” I ask.

Janine rushes toward us, a shocked look on her face. “Myrtle, where are your teeth?”

She shrugs and keeps smiling as if she doesn’t care. “Don’t mow. I took them out wight before the wide took off and accidentally dwopped them.”

Eileen gives her a horrified look. “Why would you take your false teeth out?”

“Can’t remember.”

She looks so dreamy that I’d think she’s been drugged if I didn’t know any better.

“Well, where are they now? Surely you need them?”

She walks toward the bench where Colton is trying to keep it together, and sits down. “That was fantastic. Thank you, young man.”

It sounds different because of her lack of teeth, but I’m pretty sure those are the words she’s saying.

“Mom, look!” I hear a child call out, followed by a high-pitched shriek.

We all swivel our heads in the direction of the yelling. To my horror, a boy is holding Myrtle’s teeth, showing them to his mother as if he has found a prized treasure.

“Drop those immediately,” his mom shouts. “How did these teeth get here?”

She looks around in a panicked daze. I pick up my skirt and rush toward her. “I’m sorry, someone lost them while on this roller coaster.”

Her eyes seem to fall from her sockets. “These aren’t even a prop?”

I wince. “I’m afraid not.”

She turns to her son. “Give those teeth to this lady. And then, we’re going to find a manager to talk about this craziness.”

Before I can tell her no, the boy drops the teeth in my hand. Ew. A shudder runs through me. I speed walk toward Myrtle and present the teeth to her, but she doesn’t take them.

“Would you be a dear and rinse them for me?” she asks in a syrupy voice. “They might be tainted with bacteria now.”

Colton looks up at the scene unfolding in front of him. When he spots the teeth, the corners of his mouth go up, and he starts laughing.

“This is not funny,” I hiss.

He clutches his stomach with his hands. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. I want to stop, but I can’t.” He frowns. His hand flies to his mouth. “And now I really need to throw up. I’ll be right back.”

He dashes away and leaves me standing there with a pair of false teeth in my hand. I head to the ladies’ restrooms where I throw the teeth into the sink and open the faucet. Then, I step to the sink next to them and wash my hands. Three times.

I wrap the teeth in a paper towel and bring them back to Myrtle. This wasn’t in my job description when I signed my contract, that’s for sure. She puts them back in and thanks me. I should say you’re welcome, but I can’t get the words out.

“What’s next?” Janine asks.

She’s clearly ready for another round of unbridled fun.

“I’m not sure. Let me go check on Colton. Why don’t you guys get some ice cream while you’re waiting?”

I direct the group to the nearest ice cream cart and make sure they all get what they want before heading back to the restrooms. Colton is outside, leaning against the wall, his eyes closed. I stop in my tracks. He doesn’t look like a guy who just spent fifteen minutes throwing up. He looks carefree. Content, even. The way the light illuminates his face, the lazy smile playing on his lips that tells me he’s enjoying this moment, and his hands that casually rest in the pockets of his Prince Charming pants convince me. He’s got a special gene that causes him to radiate nothing but beauty and joy, making everyone want to be in his vicinity all the time, hoping his charm will rub off on them.

I walk up to him and lightly tap his shoulder. He opens his eyes, and a smile illuminates his face. “Hey, you.”

“Are you okay?” I ask.

He pushes himself away from the wall. “I am now. If I learned anything today, it’s that I’m not twelve anymore. I can’t handle multiple rounds on a roller coaster. Lame, right?”

I shake my head. “Not lame, human.”

“It’s a good thing I always carry a supply of mints in my pocket. How are the knitters holding up?”

“They’re great,” I say as we start walking in their direction. “I took them to the ice cream cart.”

He chuckles. “Are you sure that’s a good idea, pumping sugar into them? They’re already unbelievably energetic as it is.”

“It’ll be fine, don’t worry. What’s next on our itinerary?”

“Frank has planned a 4D experience for them in the theatre before they head back home.” He glances at me. “Maybe you and I can hang out here after. Unless you’ve got plans.”

“Why would I have plans? I mean, I spend most of my time with you or Maggie anyway,” I add. No need to come across as pathetic.

“Great. I’d love to show you some more after-hours gems.”

“Are you sure Frank is okay with us being here after closing time?”

“Yeah, don’t worry about that.” He aims one of his beautiful smiles at me. “Frank loves me. He won’t mind.”

My stomach tumbles and turns at the thought of being alone with him again soon. We join the women, who are all enjoying a soft serve ice cream, except for Janine who’s lactose intolerant.

After they finish off their ice creams, we head to the theatre.

“What are these?” Myrtle asks when a crew member hands her a pair of 3D glasses.

“They will open an entirely new world for you,” I say. “You’ll see.”

The knitters file into the room, filling the front rows. Colton and I make sure they’re all comfortable and ready for the 4D experience before sneaking a few rows back.

I grin at him as I sit down.

“What?”

“I feel like a teenager again. Hiding in the back of a movie theatre with my crush.”

He takes my hand in his and strokes it with his thumb. “If this excites you, wait until you see what I’ve got planned for us later.”