Page 90 of Your Play to Call
“Oh, it definitely is. Guess there are still some good people in the world. Present company included.”
“A Ferris wheel?! My favorite!” Enthusiasm rolls off of her. Her eyes shine with excitement.
All color leaves my face. Willow notices right away.
“No way. Tell me big, bad Tripp Owens, Super Bowl MVP, isn’t afraid of heights?” I can’t help the flush showing in my cheeks.
“Heights are not my thing but I’m not afraid to admit it. If the Ferris wheel makes you smile like that, we’re definitely doing it.”
“You’re a good man, Tripp Owens.”
Something is clear in this moment: there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see her smile like that. I’m at the mercy of Willow and her love of Ferris wheels and who knows what else.
How lucky am I?
Chapter 48
Willow
Tripp gets into thegondola and it takes all I have not to laugh. The man is gripping the bar like it’s a lifeline, similar to how he held my hand while we waited our turn. He gets himself inside, and slides all the way in, settling the farthest he can from the gondola door. Luckily, this isn’t your normal two-person Ferris wheel. Instead, the carriages are spacious with longer benches and could hold probably four adults.
I climb in and sit across from him, our knees intertwined. He closes his eyes as my movement causes the Gondola to shift and move.
“How are we doing? You are aware we watched a group of eight-year-olds get into one of these before us, right?”
“Ha! Your teasing will not bother me. I’ll be fine once we get moving and I can’t consider getting out.” He laughs and my heart warms. The idea of someone doing something they’d rather not, all to make me happy, is new. It always felt like I was the one doing this, and it never was reciprocated.
Just like Tripp explained, no one had interrupted any of our time yet. Not that I’m bothered when people do that, it’s the chaotic crowding after. Tonight, we’re just a couple, enjoying an evening out. I haven’t seen Seth or any of Tripp’s security except for a few fleeting seconds in the background of our night.
This makes tonight feel real. It’s hard to explain, but the absence of all the extra stuff, it’s more authentic. We’re simply Tripp and Willow, without the back of our mind distractions, wonders, logistics.
The carriage starts to move, and I see his hands grip the edge of the bench seat, making his knuckles white.
“Give me your hands,” I say. He only gives me one, but I hold it in between mine, strong and secure.
“Want to tell me a secret?” He smiles nervously, intently focusing on me. Tripp, always wanting to know my secrets, makes my heart full. Even when he’s nervous and making himself uncomfortable, he’s still trying to figure me out.
“I’m thinking of leaving my label.” I give him something good.
“Really? That seems big.”
“It is. I just… it doesn’t feel like it used to. Even though I’ve proven myself for years, they don’t listen to me.”
“Honestly, that seems like a solid reason to leave. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard finding a new label.” His eyes are on me, gray and blue like waves on the sea—a look I could swim in.
“I don’t know, I’ve never done it. I’m one to stick things out, waiting for the change, but I don’t know if I can keep doing that.” The words lift a heavy weight from my chest.
“You don’t have to stick it out,” he says in a way that makes me think he understands me.
“Are you happy you got picked in the expansion draft?” I ask. I wonder if I can get him to focus on something else besides the moving Ferris wheel.
“That’s tough. At first, no. It felt like such a slap in the face. To show up for an organization, especially the way I did that year, and then they’re just on to the next. But I’m happier with the Cosmos. I like this city. And then there’s you.” His thumbs rub the palms of my hand.
“Me, with my ex-boyfriends who crash dinner and the annoyingpress—”
“None of that is you. I’d take that every day if it meant I got to keep you. Without question,” he interrupts.
I feel like I knew this or had hoped he felt this way but hearing it from him is different. It’s moments when he says things like this where it’s like he’s stitching himself to me. He brings a comfort I feel deep within, all the way to my bones.