“I do, I promise. Please tell me we’re riding rides after you talk to them.”
“We will.”
I try not to make demands on his time—he doesn’t have much of it—but lately it’s felt like we haven’t checked in with each other the way we used to. I need that. When he pulls Dime aside, I take the moment to talk to my best friend.
“Where were you during the fireworks? I looked for you,” I whisper-hiss.
“We got separated,” she shrugs. “I wanted some lemonade, came back to the midway, and ran into Dime. He showed up not long after the fireworks ended.”
I glance over at Devil and Dime. They're deep in conversation, voices low. I want to know what they’re talking about—need to know. My job as Devil’s wife is not to ask questions. But I’ve always been curious. He’s always been open with me—at least, I thought he was. Lately? I’m not so sure.
“You okay?” Allison waves a hand in front of my face. “You zoned out.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shake my head. “Just got a lot on my mind. So... what were you and Dime doing?”
“Nothing,” she laughs. “He bought my lemonade. We talked about how the fireworks were better when we were kids. Don’t try to make it something it’s not.”
“Girl,” I say, tilting my head and pursing my lips, “there’s something. You just don’t wanna admit it.”
Strong arms wrap around my waist, lifting me into the air. I squeal as Devil’s mouth lands on my neck.
“What are you doing?”
“If you have to ask, then I haven’t been doing it enough—or right.”
I don’t respond. He’s not wrong, but saying so won’t help anything. “Can we ride some rides now?”
“Yeah, babe. Let’s go.”
He grabs my hand and leads us toward the Ferris wheel. When it’s our turn, he hands over the tickets.
“Why don’t you stop us at the top?” Devil winks at the attendant.
“You know I’m scared of heights, even though this is my favorite,” I say, playfully swatting his stomach.
He opens the door and gestures for me to climb in. Once I do, he slides in next to me, throwing an arm around my shoulders. The worker secures the door, and I let out a soft gasp as the ride begins its slow ascent.
We sit in silence for a moment, the fairgrounds stretching below us.
“You okay lately?” he asks, his fingers rubbing my bare shoulder.
I blow out a breath and shrug. “I’m busy. You’re busy. Just feels like we’re not connecting the way we used to.” Saying it out loud feels strange. We’ve always been honest with each other—but we’ve never been married this long either. Two years. We dated for one while he was a prospect for my dad. This is the longest relationship I’ve ever had.
“Part of that’s my fault,” he says, voice gravelly above the creaks of the ride. “I didn’t realize how much time the president patch would demand when I took over from your dad.”
He’s hiding something. I’ve felt it for a while. But I don’t want to start a fight when we barely get any happy moments like this.
“I guess I didn’t realize it either. Then everything with the grow operation fell to me because I figured out how to do it well. It’s like I’m a chemist with my soil,” I joke, grinning up at him. “And I love it. I love being a part of the team, but... I fuckin’ miss you, Devil. More than I thought I would—even while we’re married.”
He chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest. “I miss you too.” He drops a kiss to the top of my head. “We’ll get outta here as soon as we can, then spend some time alone. How’s that sound?”
My chest warms at his words, the cold gap that had been forming closing just a little. “Sounds amazing.”
The Ferris wheel jerks to a stop. I glance out, noticing the row of motorcycles parked alone, untouched. No one dares mess with the Saint’s Outlaws. That respect is what I’ve grown up with... and I don’t know who I’ll be if I ever have to give it up.
“You’re thinking too hard,” he murmurs, tilting his head and catching my chin between his calloused fingers. He pulls me toward him and kisses me. It starts soft—public-appropriate—but when his tongue slides into my mouth, it turns heated, passionate.
I’m seconds from climbing into his lap when the ride moves again and we reach the bottom.
