Page 10 of Fireworks

“Seriously Nathan, you need to go worry about yourself.”

The only thing he hated more than my insubordination was when I used his full name. Two points for me. I loved aggravating him. I could feel his hand wrap around my forearm, pulling me toward him.

“I’ve seen at least five guys checking you out already. You’re going to give them the wrong impression. It’s not a joke.”

The notion that he felt the need to be my protector right now had me curious. My brother wasn’t even as protective as he was right now.

“Really, and what impression would that be?”

Pulling my arm out of his grasp, I shoved another taste into my mouth. I sucked any last bit of sugar stuck on the tips of my fingers in the most suggestive way I could. Adjusting his baseball hat that was successfully matting down his hair, he rubbed his face. His look slowly turned back to the usual aggravation it had toward me.

“You know what impression I’m talking about. Your brother would kick my ass if he knew I just let you walk around acting like this. Looking like this.”

“So don’t tell him.”

Turning and walking away into the crowd, I spotted Collin heading towards Maddie. She had been dying to go on the Ferris wheel all day and they both knew better than to ask me, so they put aside their usual disgust and agreed to go together. He had no right to tell me how to act and what to wear. Knowing how much it bothered him made it that much sweeter as I got to be the first one to walk away for once. I was so tired of him and my brother assuming they had some right to tell me what I could do, especially since I wasn’t a child anymore. Sure, I had made a mistake the night of my graduation, but I knew that now. It happened once and it wouldn’t happen again. Through the commotion of the crowd, I could hear his voice behind me.

“Seriously Katie? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I knew he couldn’t see the smirk on my face, but it felt great to know I had gotten under his skin and there was not a damn thing he could do about it.

Once the ride ended, Collin and Maddie joined me down on the safety of the ground. It made my body shiver even thinking of going up on that thing. As we walked through the crowds, Maddie waited for Collin to be distracted before she interlaced her arm with mine. Leaning into me, she bumped into my arm.

“So, what was that about?”

Looking back at her, I wasn’t sure what she was even talking about.

“I saw King giving you some extra attention. Looked pretty heated from where I was.”

Her eyebrows rose as if accusing me of something.

“Oh, that. Yeah, he was informing me my outfit choice was giving guys the wrong impression and I should go change. Like seriously, where does he get off telling me what I can wear out?”

Placing her palm over her face, her tone got serious.

“That’s because he’s jealous and has the hots for you. I’ve been trying to tell you this every day. Although I mean, I can’t blame him. You are pretty damn sexy.”

I laughed, knowing she would not let up on this idea that Nate wanted me. A relationship between Nathan King and me was just never going to happen.

*****

Nate

I didn’t intend to monitor her tonight. She was eighteen now, after all. Her brother didn’t seem to care that she was walking around, hanging all over her new boyfriend. I had kept my mouth shut about the warehouse. Had Asher known about that, I’m sure he wouldn’t have been letting her out of her room.

I watched as she headed toward the clearing where the hot air balloons were taking off. She stood watching the sky as the balloons lifted into the air. Each one a spectacular set of colors and designs fading up into the sky. Walking up behind her, I didn't mean to startle her as I spoke.

“Come on, I'll ride with you.”

I held out my hand next to her. Her arms remained clasped around her waist in uncertainty.

“No, I’m fine down here.”

I looked back at her with my hand still extended as I smiled at her, trying to tell her this could be a truce for our spat from before.

“I hate heights. You just go. I’m sure there are plenty of people who you could take up there.”

“Katie, seriously? You did the same thing when you were nine. We got up there and you loved it. I guess some things never change. Just get over here before they shut down for the night and you can’t go at all.”