3
Clowning Around
“You’re so going to cry. I’ll bet you dinner on Wednesday at trivia you’ll bawl,” Kami says to Eastlyn, causing me to stifle a laugh as I agree. I think Eastlyn is crazy for putting herself through this.
“Whatever. It can’t be that bad,” Eastlyn says, just as a young girl comes running back through the line with tears streaming down her face. “Shit,” she mutters, causing me to feel a bit guilty for laughing.
When it comes to clowns, Eastlyn Hatfield suffers from complete and total coulrophobia—the Latin term they use to refer to a severe fear of the red-nosed, big-shoed fuckers. I have no idea how we managed to convince her to go inside the Clowns at Midnight Experience, which is supposed to be one of the scariest Halloween-themed attractions this amusement park has ever offered for the season.
Me, Keaton, and a few other guy friends have been coming to Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland for years. Even when I was living in Brockville, I always made the trip in, turning it into a guys’ weekend.
This year, however, Brody and Philip couldn’t make it, so Keaton invited his sister and Kami to join us. Ever since that night Eastlyn and I’d spent chatting in the gym when she banged her head, things have been pretty good between us, so I was happy the girls agreed to come. I’ll admit, though, I’m definitely surprised that East is putting on such a brave front and even considering attempting to go into this house of twisted circus horror. I admire her balls, but because I’m such a bastard, rather than tell her, I choose to goad her like the others.
“We’re in the next group, Sprinkles. Last chance to chicken out. You sure you don’t want to save your panties? Not sure they sell spares here,” I say up close against her ear, and I love the way her breath hitches at my proximity. It’s a sound she’s given me occasionally over the years; one I’d taken for granted, never realizing the sweet sound’s significance until it was too late. After all, I’d been with Lola, and I was moving hours away.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not stupid. We’d crossed the line a couple of times, neared the point of no return, but those times where it could have escalated were times we’d both been drinking, and we never talked about it afterwards. For me, I had a lot to consider about the aftermath if I were to pursue her—my friendship with Keaton for one thing, and the fact that David and Katie were basically my second parents who trusted me with their daughter. How could I have crossed the line and risked losing them all?
But now—all bets are off. I have Keaton’s support, and he said I don’t have to worry about his parents. So now, years later, being the prick I am, I’m going to take full advantage of my strengths, like a fallen superhero who uses his powers for his own gain. When I tease her with my nearness, subtle touches, and whispered innuendoes, I know for a fact Ms. Eastlyn Hatfield enjoys having me in her space as much as I like being there. And I plan to exploit and explore the shit out of that knowledge.
“You’re such a jerk.” She elbows me, then leans up. I lean down, allowing her to whisper into my ear. “I guess I’ll just have to go commando then, eh? Shame.” She bats her lashes seductively before walking ahead to catch up to Kam and Keaton, who are a few paces away. My eyes are immediately drawn to her tight, denim-covered ass thanks to the sexy sway she’s added to torture me. I don’t know what I want to do more—laugh or moan. Touché, Sprinkles, touché. Having the girls here with us has been nice. Getting to be near Eastlyn all evening has been more than nice, even if I do see a big case of blue balls coming my way. Especially if she keeps this shit up.
Keaton and Kami being here together is also working in my favour. They are the perfect guise to help get myself closer to Eastlyn, and funnily enough, it seems she and I have been both playing the same game. All night we’ve been making the excuse that Keaton and Kami probably want to ride together, and we’ve both agreed in secret how good we are playing matchmakers, incognito. Little does Eastlyn realize I could give a fuck about them and that I had every intention to be by her side throughout the whole night, regardless. I’d already told Keaton so hours earlier when we were on our way to pick up the girls. Of course, he agreed to be my wingman, again warning me not to fuck up and, of course, not admitting how the plan would also work out perfectly for him, as he’d get to be near Kami all night.
Basically, we’re a foursome of denial and way too much history. Something has got to give sooner or later, and I’m hoping it will be Eastlyn giving in to the idea of us.
“You’re gonna cry,” Kami says in a creepy voice as I approach.
“I hate you guys. Nice support,” Eastlyn says.
“Oh, I’ll support you, chicken. You can lean on me the whole time,” I say, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her flush to my chest. Keaton and Kami both laugh. My dick jumps, and her perfect ass aligns up almost perfectly to the movement. Too bad she doesn’t stay put long enough to enjoy what could be hers.
Whipping around, she gives me a dirty look and says, “Stop messing, Coy. I’m fine. I can do this. I’m not going to cry, guys,” she says, turning to eye the three of us. “I’m not that afraid of them,” she adds, pushing her finger into my chest, but I don’t miss the way her eyes go wide as yet another burst of crazed laughter followed by an ear-piercing scream echoes from inside the circus-themed haunted house.
“Are you sure, little sis? I heard Pennywise, from It is in there. Maybe he’s waiting just for you…” Keaton taunts, to teach her for showcasing her bravado. “Hell, I bet if you let him get close enough to you, he’ll wanna suck face,” he adds, winking in her direction, before adding some Hannibal Lecter tongue gestures and sound effects.
“You’re such an ass. Leave her be,” Kami chides, before Eastlyn or I can say a word. I agree, we’ve ribbed her enough. “Come on,” Kami says, grabbing Keaton by the waist and tugging him forward in line, leaving a now visibly shaken Eastlyn with me.
“I was just messin’…” Keaton defends himself. Apparently, Pennywise jokes are a hard limit for Eastlyn as well as Kami.
“Sorry, I’ll keep him up here with me,” Kami calls over her shoulder as she pulls him away. I see he’s now leaned in close to her, talking into her ear. Kami’s face lights up, and I roll my eyes. Sure, he’s unaffected, all right.
“You better stay up there, dickhead,” I call out.
“Thanks,” Eastlyn says quietly. “God, I hate him sometimes.” She mumbles a few other choice words as I wrap my arm around her.
“Ignore him, Sprinkles. You’ll be fine. I’ll be right here with you the whole time.”
“I know,” she says, looking up at me, a smile tipping up the corners of her mouth despite the uncertainty that’s flickering in her jade eyes.
As the line moves closer to the entrance, I position myself in front of Eastlyn, forcing her to stop. She tilts her head up so her gaze meets mine. Christ, she’s stunning, with her hair tied into that messy bun thing on top of her head, a few wispy pieces falling down and framing her face… Her cheeks are pink from the cool night air, and the sweetest lips I’ve ever dreamt of tasting part in surprise.
“I mean it, East. All kidding aside, you do not have to do this one. I’ll sit it out with you. Just say the word. We can go get a funnel cake instead,” I say, and raise my brows up and down suggestively, knowing how much she loves sugary treats. She beams up at me. Without realizing, I move even closer to her, eating up the last bit of space I’d initially left between us. “No one will care,” I offer, and she smiles.
“You really can be the sweetest, Mr. Graves, when you choose. I want to try, though. I promise I’m okay,” she says, putting her hands on top of my forearms. It takes everything in me not to pull her the rest of the way in and kiss her like I’ve wanted to for so long. Instead, I simply nod, give her a smile, reach for her hand, and place it in mine as we walk up to the entrance where Keaton and Kam are waiting for us so we can go in together. I internally high-five myself like a teen over the fact that she didn’t pull her hand away. If anything, I think she might have held on tighter…
Eastlyn’s voice starts to crack once we’re about ten steps inside the carnival tent. “It’s so dark. It’s too dark. Oh God. Pennywise isn’t really in here, is he?”
“You’re okay.” I squeeze our clasped hands, as screaming and strange gabbling noises can be heard coming from around the corner.
“Why did I think I could do this? I should have waited outsi—aughhh!” Eastlyn screams, as a clown jumps out at us. Instinctively, I release our hands and pull her close to my side, my arm now draped around her shoulders protectively.
Her voice shakes. “Coy…” I feel her hand wrap around my waist as if trying to anchor herself to me. I try really damn hard to ignore how good it feels to have her this close and have her touching me. “…I’m really scared.”
I lean my head down and whisper, “I’m here, baby. It’s okay. You can do it.”
“Please, I don’t want to do this,” she says, clawing up my chest with her free hand while the other clenches in a death grip on my waistband. Somehow, we’ve managed to lose Keaton and Kami. It’s only the two of us tripping our way down a dark hallway potentially hiding an untold number of clowns, and I know I need to get her the fuck out of here. Her body is trembling against mine with fear, and I’m pissed at myself for letting her do this when I knew better. I’m pissed at the other two for egging her on, and myself for joining in.
“Where are Kam and Keat?” she asks in a low whisper, as we steer ourselves through the maze-like set-up, the creepy calliope music getting louder. I’m on high alert, ready to brace and shield her from anything in a red wig that might come our way.
“I’m pretty sure we lost them after that first room where it was all mirrors with clown faces.”
“Oh shit, I hated that,” she says and it makes me laugh out loud. “Shhh, Coy! The clowns will hear you. Don’t laugh at me, I’m scared.”
“Sorry.” I tuck her in close again when I hear a scratching sound getting closer. Luckily, Eastlyn had only had one clown appear in her mirror. I think she might have actually pissed her pants if she’d have seen some of the ones popping up over in Keaton’s and mine. The thought of her “commando” comment pops in my head for a second before her trembling voice reminds me this is definitely not the time to be thinking of that.
“Do you hear that? Noooo, noooo! Go away, away! Gggoooo, please, don’t come near me!” she begs, letting out a sob, and I know she’s crying.
I snap. The need to get her out of here increases tenfold.
Stopping before we cross into the next room, I move in front of her, lean in and say, “Let’s get us out of here.” I grin, holding my arms open and I see her small nod in the dim light. The next thing I know, Eastlyn Hatfield climbs me like I’m a tree and she’s a bloody monkey clinging to my front for dear life. Ignoring once again how fucking good it feels to have her body moulded to mine, I make a break for it as best I can in the almost-black. We run into a few more clowns, including one who tried to follow us before I threatened to beat the shit out of him if he didn’t back the fuck off. We burst outside through an exit door, and I have never seen her look so grateful or relieved in all my life.
“Thank you,” Eastlyn says, when I place her back on the ground, off to the side of the tent. I haven’t seen Keaton or Kami yet, and assume they’re still lost somewhere inside.
“Anytime, Sprinkles. Told you I was with you,” I wink, and she smiles that beautiful fucking smile. “Let’s say we go sit for a bit. Maybe take a breather, get a drink?”
“Sounds good, I could use a stiff one,” she says, then immediately places her finger over my lips, and I smile. She knows me way too well. “I mean a drink. A stiff drink.” She shakes her head and removes her finger.
“I didn’t say a word, dirty girl, but come with me. I might just know where you could get both, if you wanted,” I say, then reach out my hand. She takes it, laughing.
“There you are!” Kami shouts, spotting us as soon as they exit the tent. I drop Eastlyn’s hand when she moves to talk to her friend. “Well? How was it?”
“Yeah, did you cry and take an early exit?” Keaton says, standing beside Kami.
“It was—”
I cut Eastlyn off. “It was awesome. You should have seen our girl, she did so well. Only broke two of my fingers, but made it through the whole thing.” I nudge her shoulder, and wrap my arms around her, muttering “Proud of you” into the top of her head.
“Awesome job, East.” Kami beams at her.
“Yeah, now we can all plan on seeing It together when it comes out,” Keaton says, and I laugh, seeing Eastlyn’s face pale at the thought.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, guys. I will never willingly subject myself to any more clown stuff ever, ever, ever again, especially that fucking Pennywise. This was a one-off, but feel free to go without me. I won’t be sad at all,” she says.
We all laugh, deciding a celebratory drink is indeed in order.
“Thanks for that,” Eastlyn whispers, stopping as the other two lead the way.
“Like I said, anytime,” I reply, giving her my dimpled smile. ’Cause like I said, I know what she likes, and will continue to take full advantage of that shit.
The rest of the night was perfect. Eastlyn gifted me with her sweet smiles and witty banter, and didn’t stray too far from her place at my side. Best of all, she fed me some of the funnel cake she let me buy her for being brave enough to try to conquer her fears.
Yeah, I could get used to this.