Page 11 of Fireworks

I waved over to the guy in charge of the hot-air balloon.

“We’re coming. Sorry.”

Refusing to move, I grabbed her around the waist and threw her over my shoulder while she yelled for me to put her down, kicking her feet in protest.

“You’ll thank me later.”

Placing her back down into the basket, she stumbled backward before catching her balance.

“Nathan you are so...”

Flashing my smile, I interjected without hesitation.

“Charming. Amazing. Thoughtful.”

Her eyes narrowed as she gave me a dirty look.

“I was going to say an arrogant asshole who doesn’t know when to mind his own business. I’m not nine anymore. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

The attendant averted his eyes, unsure of how to respond to our banter. It had to be an awkward job standing in the corner of a confined space while people have intimate moments together so high above the ground. I didn’t answer because I didn’t have a good reason I couldn’t leave her alone. I was a moth drawn to a flame. She burned so damn bright I couldn’t help it. She stood at the edge of the basket as it rose, her hands squeezing tightly on each other as she pulled at her fingers.

I stood with her back to my chest as my arms wrapped around her, tucking her hands between mine. I smile down at her, shrugging.

“It helped when you were nine .”

“I still hate heights,” she paused before mumbling, “and you.”

Her eyes stared down at her feet as we ascended higher.

“Maybe, or is it you don’t like it when you don’t have complete control of the situation? Once you look around, you’ll be fine. I’m right here; I won’t let anything happen to you.”

My eyes avoided looking directly at her before I spoke again.

“Why didn’t your boyfriend take you up here?”

Her hands tightened around mine, her fingers digging into my palm as the basket bumped in the wind.

“Sorry about that, guys.”

The attendant moved to the other side of the basket, pushing and pulling on things. Her eyes never left him as she watched to make sure he wasn’t trying to kill us.

“Who Collin? He’s not my boyfriend.”

We both knew I had a history of pushing her to her limits. When we were younger, she always wanted to play it safe. That just wasn’t who I was. I was the rule breaker and the adventurer. Thinking about it, not much had changed in that respect. I enjoyed I had her stuck up here, unable to avoid anything I would want to say to her.

“So, you normally hang all over guys that aren’t your boyfriend making out all summer by the pool?”

The edge of her mouth lifted as she looked at me out of the corner of her eye.

“Stalker much? For your information, not that I owe you an explanation. We’re just having fun. No strings attached for the summer.”

Somehow her telling me that didn’t make me any less jealous or lessen my want to punch him in the face.

“Was he the one that gave you the drink that night?”

The words slipped out before I could think better of it. I had spent every day since then wondering who it was and regretting not going back. She turned away, not answering, looking at the tree line that was now changing to a dull red and orange glow as we lowered back to the ground.

“It is beautiful up here. Terrifying but beautiful.”