BOOTLEG LOVE

10

Evangeline stood in front of the mirror, making sure her hair and makeup looked just right. Satisfied, she picked up her white hat and pulled it on over her golden locks. It matched her breezy white sundress. She heard the sound of the door knocker on the front door, and Evangeline quickly sat down on the bed and pulled on her shoes. She then threw open the door and rushed down the stairs.

            Michael, the house butler, was heading for the door to answer it when Evangeline ran in front of him and prevented him from reaching the door. “I got it.” She said with a smile. She quickly opened the door and slipped out onto the steps pulling the door closed quickly so no one inside could see who was on the porch. “Afternoon.” She said, smiling up at Payton.

            “You always answer your own door? I thought you had servants for that.” He mocked her.

            “For you, I am willing to forgo formality. Let’s go.” She said, taking his hand and dragging him to the car.

            “You mean before your mother realizes who you are leaving with.” Evangeline looked at him, feeling a little bad. He was right; she didn’t want her parents to see him. They wouldn’t approve, and she didn’t feel like dealing with them right now. “It is ok; I get it.” He said with understanding. Payton opened the car door and let her get in.

            He climbed into the seat next to her and pulled out of the driveway. She couldn’t help but noticed that today Payton had forgone the trendy suit for a t-shirt and jeans reminding her of the farm boy she remembered him as. It was very casual, and it suited him better than the suit.

            They drove to the edge of town where the festival was set up. There were games and carts of snacks and vendor foods. There were a few rides and a huge Farris wheel in the center of the fair. They strolled through the fair, trying to decide what to do first. They both agreed to start with the freak show and then moved on to the magician, and the ventriloquist, ending up in the hall of mirrors which distorted their appearance rather comically.

            After the hall of mirrors, Payton suggested they take a ride through the haunted house. Evangeline didn’t want to go; she hated haunted houses. “Then how about the Farris wheel?” He said, pointing across to the big wheel fifty feet away. She looked up at how high the wheel went and could feel her knees grow weak at the thought of going all the way to the top. She was terrified of heights, and Payton knew it. She wanted to slap that smug grin off his face. She refused to let him mock her.

            “Alright.”

            He looked a little surprised. “Really?”

            “Yeah, why not? You only live once. Let’s do it.” She said, heading for the line.

            Payton was right behind her. Reaching the front of the line, Payton handed over two of the ride tickets they had purchased earlier that day. The attendant ushered them to a red seat where they both sat down, and a safety bar came down in their lap. Her nerves were already stressed; there was a big gap between her and the bar. She could slip out underneath and fall to her death.

            The ride began to move, and their seat started going up at a steady rate. Her pulse quickened, and her heart was beating hard. “I have changed my mind; I can’t do this.” She was unable to keep the fear from her voice.

            “It is a little late now; the ride has started.”

            “I’m going to fall.” She sounded like a child again.

            “You won’t fall; it is completely safe.” He said. “See.” Suddenly Payton started rocking the seat they were in, and they swung back and forth as they reached the top of the wheel.

            Evangeline squealed and grabbed tight to Payton’s arm. “Don’t do that!” She barked.

            “Do what?”

            “Rock the seat.”

            “Rock the seat? Ok.” He teased, and he made the seat swing once more. Evangeline growled and tightened her grip on his arm.

            “Stop it!”

            Payton just laughed. “You are perfectly safe. I would never let you fall.” He promised, tipping up the brim of her hat back so he could see her cowering face. She looked up into his eyes. They were so warm and smiling at her; she felt her fear fade away. She felt safe with Payton. Evangeline remained wrapped around Payton’s arm and rested her head against his shoulder. She couldn’t get over how firm and strong his arm felt.

            The memory of his arms around her flashed through her mind. The taste of his lips when he kissed her. She felt her cheeks flush with the intimate memory. She hardly noticed when the seat circled the wheel twice more and came to a slow stop as the riders got off one by one.

            They were stopped at the top of the wheel, looking out over the fairgrounds. There were so many people below, but up here with Payton, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. The sun was setting, and the cloudless sky was a brilliant pink and red as the evening sun dipped low, disappearing on the horizon. It was a perfect moment if there ever was one, and she couldn’t imagine it being better with anyone else.

            “It is getting late,” Payton said, his hand on hers. “I have to work tonight.”

            She felt a sense of sadness. “Do you really have to go?” She asked, gazing up at him.

            He just offered her a crooked little grin. “Yeah, I’m afraid so.”

            “Can’t we stay until the fireworks?” She asked, batting her long lashes at him. Payton burst out laughing at her attempt to sway his answer.

            “That could be another hour or so.”

            “Oh, come on, they can live without you for a few hours. We can go on the haunted house ride, play some games.” She hugged his arm tight. “Please, Payton. Stay for a little longer.” She pleaded as their seat slowly worked its way to the ground.

            “Why don’t you come with me?” He suggested as the attendant lifted the safety bar up and let them off. “We can tear up the town.”

            She didn’t know if she could handle another one of his nights out. She had already missed so much sleep. “No, I don’t think I should stay out that long.”

            “Ok,” He said, taking her by the hand. “Let’s squeeze in a few games, and then I will drive you home.” So he suggested as they made their way through the games. “I will win you something.” He offered, standing in the center of the game tents. “What do you want?”

            Evangeline looked around at the prizes and pointed to a stuffed panda bear at the ball toss station. “That.”

            “Ok.” He took her hand and walked over to the game. He paid his money, and the attendant handed him three balls as he explained the rules.

            Evangeline stood off to the side, and Payton geared up, pulled his arm back, lifted his opposite leg and then threw his whole body into the toss. The ball flew through the air and took out one pyramid of milk bottles. Evangeline cheered and clapped her hands. He then took the next ball, assumed the position and hurled the ball at the next pyramid knocking it down.

            Payton then picked up the last ball and held it out to Evangeline. “A kiss for luck.” He suggested lifting the ball up for her to kiss. Evangeline kissed the leather of the ball and grinned at him. Payton gave her a wink and then pulled back and threw the last ball at the last pyramid. Down it came, and Evangeline clapped.

            The attendant took down the panda bear and handed it to Payton, who turned around and offered it to Evangeline. “For the loveliest lady at the fair.” Evangeline just knew she was blushing as she took the bear and hugged it close to her body. Their eyes locked, and the world faded away. She could feel a pull to him and him to her. They moved closer, and Evangeline could not catch her breath, her thoughts consumed by the memory of his kiss. Payton leaned in close, and her eyes fluttered shut in anticipation.

            His cologne flooded her senses, and then…

            “Evangeline!” She heard Pamela’s voice call to her. Her eyes flew open to see Payton looking over his shoulder at an approaching group of young women. Evangeline frowned when she saw her friends. She had specifically told them not to seek her out. Clearly, their curiosity got the better of them.                       

            They reached her and Payton in record time. Each one of them eyeing him up. They were each dressed fashionably as always. Pamela in a wine-red dress, Becky in yellow, and Tina in a light purple. They were each carrying a snack: candied popcorn, cotton candy, and a caramelized apple.

            “Funny seeing you here,” Pamela said with a playful smile. “And just who is this we find you with?” She asked, looking back at Payton.

            They were not going to go away. Evangeline sighed and introduced them. “Payton, these are my friends Pamela Falcon, Becky Samson, and Tina Edwards. Ladies, this is Payton Kingston, an old and dear friend.”

            “Ladies.” Payton gave them a polite nod.

            “Charmed.” Pamela grinned and held out her treat to him. “Popcorn?”

            Payton flashed one of his boyish grins and reached for the candied popcorn. “Yes, thank you.”

            “So, what are you two up to?”

            Evangeline took hold of Payton’s arm and pulled him closer. “We were just leaving.” She said with strained politeness.

            “We are?” Payton asked, confused. “I thought we were waiting for the fireworks?”

            “Yes, you can’t leave before the fireworks,” Pamela said with a cocky smile. “Why don’t we stake out a good spot on the hill to see the fireworks?”

            “No, we have to get going. Payton has to work.”

            “But it is our nation’s birthday. You can’t leave just yet.” Pamela said, trying to coax them to join them.

            “Actually, I do have to work,” Payton said with regret. “I’m afraid things would fall apart without me.” He joked.

            “See, we simply can’t stay,” Evangeline said, pulling Payton in the direction of the parking lot. “I will see you later.” She called to the girls. She didn’t like the way Pamela was looking at Payton like she was starving, and he was a big juicy steak.

            “Are you sure you don’t want to stay for the fireworks?” He asked as they reached the car. “It won’t be much longer.”

            “We can watch them from here.” Evangeline released his arm, and Payton leaned against the hood of the car, his arms crossed over his broad chest and a cocky little smile on his handsome face. “What?”

            “Your friends seemed nice.”

            “They are.”

            “I can’t help but notice you didn’t seem happy to see them.”

            “Well, I didn’t come here to see them, did I?” She smiled, swaying closer to him. “I came to spend time with you. Tell me the truth; you didn’t want them intruding on our night any more than I do.”

            “Intruding? Is there something special about tonight?” He asked leadingly. He was toying with her; he knew what she wanted; she couldn’t imagine he hadn’t felt it too.

            “Why does it have to be a special night for two old friends to catch up and have a good time?”

            “And are we… having a good time?” He asked, reaching out and taking her hand in his.

            “I was.”

            “Was?” He asked, lifting one dark brow. “What happened?”

            “Nothing.”

***

            Nothing had happened, he thought, gazing into her eyes, and nothing was going to happen. He would keep it that way. Things with Evangeline could not head in the direction they were. A physical relationship would just ruin the friendship they had. It would get weird. Payton released her hand and cleared his throat as he stood up straight. “I will take you home.” He said, stepping aside and opening the passenger door.

            She looked disappointed, but she got in. Payton drove Evangeline home in silence. An awkward quiet that was as deafening as any train whistle. When he reached the house, he got out and walked around to Evangeline’s door. Offering his hand, he helped her out of the car.

            Her panda bear in one hand and the other in his, she stepped out and looked up at him, looking a little disappointed. “I had a good time.” She said as he walked her up the steps.

            “I did too.” He said, stuffing his hands awkwardly in his pockets. “I’d like to do it again.”

            “Me too.” She smiled.

            “How about a picture show tomorrow night? I got nothing going on tomorrow night.” He assured her the weekends and holidays were usually his busiest nights.

            “I would love to see a show.” She said happily. “You know I have never been to one.”

            That surprised him. He himself had only been to one, but it had been incredible to see those pictures moving on the big screen. “Well, then we will have to rectify that. I will pick you up, say around five, and we can have dinner first.” He offered.

            She cringed at that. “Maybe I should just meet you at your place.”

            His smile faded; she didn’t want her parents to know she was with him. He understood, he really did, but it didn’t make him feel any better. He felt like her dirty little secret. She didn’t want him talking to her friends and being seen by her family. She was clearly hiding the fact that she was with him. “Yeah, ok.” He said, trying to hide his disappointment. He would rather be her secret than not be with her at all.

            Evangeline leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Goodnight, Payton.”

            “Goodnight.” He said as he watched her disappeared into the house, leaving him alone in the dark of the doorstep.