Gypsy Girl and Horse Lovin' Boys (16 page)

“This whole show, the animal training, it means everything to her. I was afraid my mom would have to quit.”

“I didn’t want that to happen because of me. You probably already know I envy you. It’s not just because of how much Noah and Josh like you.”

“I don’t think there is much about me to envy.”

“You get a do-over everywhere you go. I’m stuck being the meanest mean girl at a small town school. I’ve been that for such a long time and even when I do good things, people still think I want something from them or have intentions to ambush them later.”

“You should stop calling yourself that. It might help.”

“I know it’s true and sometimes I don’t know how to be anything else. Like I said, when I try to do better, everyone doesn’t believe it will last.”

“Being a gypsy just means you never have friends for long. There are as many goodbye’s as there are hello’s. Once I leave, everyone goes back to their lives and forget I still want to be their friend.”

“I don’t think those boys will forget you.” Kelly picked at the wall.

“As soon as some pretty girl comes along and flirts with them, it will change. Actually, that’s how it should be. At least that’s how the boys should look at it. For once I’m actually afraid they’re going to be stuck on me long after I’m gone.”

“That’s not a bad thing. Just so you know, Josh is different this week. He’s always been such a clown around Noah, like he has to be louder, and funnier to get attention. Today he was all business and I didn’t realize what a great guy he is. I’m pretty sure it all has to do with you.” Kelly looked me in the eye. “I wish things started out differently for us. I would have loved to be friends with someone that understands what my family does. I only have myself to blame for that.” She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her short shorts and her eyes filled with tears. “I wish I could have a do-over with this week, and with my life.”

All my animosity towards her melted away, I gave Kelly a hug. “You could make changes. Just stick with it a while, people need time to accept change.”

“No, I’ve been this way a long time. I think I might change schools though. I’ve thought a lot about it, especially the past couple days. I need that kind of do-over where no one knows my reputation.”

“I sure hope everything works out for you. My mom says live life with no regrets so you don’t have to look back and wish you tried something different. That’s the whole reason why we do this whole show thing.” I chewed on my lip. “Acting on her advice caused me some other problems though.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, I really like Noah
and
Josh.” I didn’t want to open up anymore than that.

“It’s hard not to. Those two, they are like puzzle pieces to a two piece puzzle. You can’t have one without the other to make it complete. Don’t sweat it.” Kelly’s dad called her over. “I have to go. At least you can spend the last couple days without drama from me.” She gave me a wave and walked over to her dad.

Mom cancelled the shows for the rest of the day so Peppy could settle back in. He was really wound up and excited to be home. Cessie played with him in the Caravan. I watched Noah win first place while Josh held my hand tight the whole time.

Saturday

For once I was the one that sat bolt upright in bed super early and eagerly threw my clothes on. Kelly was gone. Peppy was back. The busiest last two days of the fair had arrived. I grabbed a package of muffins and went to meet everyone for breakfast before they fed their horses.

Noah and Josh were milling around their tent. Josh brushed his teeth as he walked around their campsite.

“You know she just doesn’t want to cause drama between us. What the heck does it matter? She’s leaving and then what? We keep fighting over her?” Noah’s back was to me as he sat down on the picnic table bench to pull on his boots.

Josh froze when he saw me and stared.

I stopped when I realized they were talking, probably arguing, about me. “Umm, hi. I brought breakfast but I can meet you later.” I took a few steps back.

“No, don’t go.” Noah turned so fast and was on his feet. His arm wrapped tight around my shoulders, guiding me back to the table. “We both want you to stay.”

Josh spit out a mouth full of toothpaste in the grass and rinsed out his mouth, nodding when he sat down on the bench. “It was nothing. We just like to argue over who you like more. I like to bug Noah because he gets all green when I tell him you like me too.”

“Is this what guys do when girls aren’t around?” My cheeks flamed.

“Yeah, I can’t compete with him with horses and usually I can’t compete when it comes to girls. This time I can. You should see us when we play video games. Hashtag, sore loser.”

“Yeah, it’s bad.” Noah agreed a little too eagerly.

“Whatever. You know, I’ll go home right now and tell you both to go away if you’re going to start fighting again.”

“Uh-huh. That’s why we made up just now and want you to stay. Besides you brought food that will straighten us out in a hurry.” Josh held out his hands for a muffin and gave me his best puppy eyes.

“Food is good. Either we ate too much this week or we didn’t plan well for breakfasts.” Noah held out his hands too.

“I guess it’s a good thing I came to rescue you from fighting and starving to death.” I sat down at the table.

“My mom and dad are coming today. I think my mom was going to bring us some food for tomorrow and Monday morning so I believe we will recover.”

“Your parents will be here?” I picked at my muffin.

“This will be good. We have a plan.” Josh’s eyes danced as he rubbed his hands together.

“No, Josh has a plan. I will go along with it because he’s willing to put up with my Mom’s interrogations. So I might enjoy it more than I think.”

“Does it include me?” I mashed the crumbs between my fingers.

“Of course.” Josh smiled. “They’re here to watch the final awards presentation for Noah. I’m sure he’ll win one of the top awards. The whole shebang happens when you aren’t performing so you can come see. If you want to. If not then we don’t need to enact our grand plan.”

“Of course I want to go.” I looked up at Noah. He smiled and glanced away.

“Okay, so we will probably be sitting together anyway. I just figured you should act like my girlfriend while she’s there. That way she doesn’t harass Noah. She’ll just be all worked up over me instead.”

“Why would she harass Noah? Does she suspect anything?”

“We aren’t sure. Because Kelly went home early, we don’t know what she might have told my mom. Especially since there was some sort of
thing
with those two before we got here.”

“I see. I’m not sure I want to be around her if she suspects anything going on between either of you and me.”

“Don’t worry. She doesn’t bite. She just makes lots of noise,” Josh said.

“I don’t like hateful looks either.” I finished my muffin and mashed the wrapper until crumbs tumbled out the top.

“Why have you been murdering that muffin?” Josh asked.

“I don’t know. You guys are freaking me out a little maybe.”

“You can sit there and hold my hand, cuddle my arm, and let me do all the talking. I know how to deal with her.” Josh gave me a mischievous smile.

My mouth turned up at the side. “You’ve been an expert at dealing with all the drama all week.”

Noah huffily left the table and went in the tent.

“Did I say something wrong?” I whispered to Josh.

“Nah. He doesn’t deal with insecurity well either,” Josh whispered.

“I heard that,” Noah yelled from the tent. He climbed out with his toothbrush. “I’m not insecure.” He glared at Josh. “You just want to be the champion battling everyone who starts something with Sera.”

“I’m the best to handle your mom, aren’t I?”

“Yeah. Just shut-up about the rest. You aren’t looking like a hero. You just look like a wanna-be superhero.”

“Look who put on their big girl panties today.” Josh glared back at Noah.

“Hey, stop acting like that.” I stood up, pressing my fists against my hips. “You are both ridiculous.”

“They’ve been like that all morning,” Rachel said, stepping out of the RV with Bree right behind her.

“We told them to shut-up a few times already.” Bree looked at Noah and then Josh. “Should we tell her why?”

“No,” they said in unison.

“You don’t have to. I already know. Maybe I’ll go home and see you boys later.”

“No, don’t go.” Josh rested his hand on mine. “I’ve been bugging Noah all morning. I’ll stop.”

“And I think I’m tense because last time my parents came, things got a little messed up.” Noah stuffed his hands in his pockets and gave me an awkward side-glance.

“Just include me this time,” I said. “I’ll play along with Josh if that’s what you want.”

“Girls, just so you know,  Sera is
my
girlfriend today. Don’t say anything about Noah having anything to do with her except hanging-out with us making sure we behave. Okay?”

“Totally. Not going to tread in those waters.” Rachel’s eyes widened and she was in complete agreement.

“I don’t even want to be around when she finds out Josh has a girl.” Bree hitched her thumbs in her shorts belt loops, shaking her head.

“Well at least she’ll figure out that
I’m
not gay,” Josh said.

Everyone laughed at Josh’s face.

“All right. Well let’s go take care of the horses and get this day started,” Bree said as she took the muffin I offered and took off. Rachel followed.

Josh stopped to wait for Noah when he didn’t move to go.

“You go ahead. Can you toss some hay to Ezra for me? I need to talk to Sera.”

Josh’s hands went to his hips and his head turned to the side.

Noah sighed. “Do you remember when you were there the first time my mom met Katie?”

Josh’s eyes widened when he remembered. He waved and took off after the girls.

“You are seriously freaking me out now.”

Noah shook his head. “I just wanted him to go away. It’s not that bad. I’m sure my mom will ask questions when she meets you. Just let Josh answer. Not a big deal. It’s not me and she’ll get over wanting to know if we’re gay or whatever all that is about and start wondering if Josh’s mom will be getting a call in nine months instead.”

“What’s in nine months?”

Noah’s eyes dropped to my stomach and then gave me a look. I got it and flushed.

Noah slid his arm around my back. He walked me to the bike path. It didn’t look as creepy as it did the night the carnie attacked me. Noah walked me over to a bench along the trail.

He sat down, pressing his hands together and placed them in between his knees looking vulnerable and lacking confidence. “Okay, Josh has been bugging me all morning about you. He says you have boyfriend feelings for us both, and that’s why you’re pulling away so much, putting us both in the friend zone instead. He keeps rubbing it in my face that you’re liking him more because I didn’t save you from the carnie or help much when it came to Kelly and getting your monkey back.”

I was speechless.

“You’re not pulling away because I didn’t do more, are you?” Noah’s finger brushed against my knee.

“No! You were there when Josh was off taking care of those things. Was I supposed to sit there alone? I feel like you both did what needed to be done with each situation.” I slid my fingers along his arms to hold his hands, leaning on his lap. When I looked at him, his blue eyes sucked me in. “I do keep telling you that we should be friends and you push past that every time. Have I stopped you?” I gave him a teasing look.

“No.” Noah’s face brightened some and he moved my hair over my shoulder. His hand stayed lost in my hair.

“Why’s that?’

“Because you like to kiss.” He looked at the ground.

“Well, yeah, but I don’t let everyone kiss me. Why have I let you do that?” I asked playfully.

Instead of answering, his lips met mine. He kissed me gentle and slow only once. I kept my eyes closed when he stopped, leaning into him, wanting more.

“Because you still like me that much,” he whispered in my ear and I shivered.

I opened my eyes. “How can I not?” I pulled his hat off and ran my hands through his hair. He wanted his hat back but I moved it out of his reach behind me. “I don’t care if you want your hat. I want to look at you.”

“What about that kiss with Josh? Did you let him kiss you the same way?”

I leaned against his shoulder. I wouldn’t look at him. “You’re insecure again. We aren’t talking about Josh right now.” I tucked my head under his chin so I could kiss his neck. I needed to shift his thoughts. His vocal cords tickled my lips when he let out a little moan. How I loved it when his hand was lost in my hair.

“Don’t do that or nobody will be finding us for a while.” He didn’t make me stop. I kissed his neck, under his chin, and then his mouth.

“Now stop complaining and letting Josh get under your skin.” I stood and pulled Noah up off the bench. He held me tight against his chest. I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes tight. I didn’t want to let him go. I was failing miserably at keeping my distance.

The day started fantastic with a great first show. We had the biggest crowd ever for our early performance. I was a little edgy with Peppy on my shoulder so close to my face. However, he didn’t misbehave at all.

I slipped out of the Caravan quietly when Cessie was preoccupied with a cartoon on the tablet when I headed for Noah’s awards thing

Josh practically bounced in his boisterous way across the field to meet me. He gave me a hug once I was in arms reach. Instantly I was nervous with how far he would take the girlfriend thing this time. When he tucked his head close to my neck, I relaxed. He gripped my shirt, holding me tighter before he suddenly let me go.

“I’m sorry.” Josh studied the clouds in the sky, bouncing a little on his toes. “I feel like the clock is ticking and our time is almost up even though we still have tomorrow.” Josh held out his hand.

I didn’t hesitate to take it and he squeezed my hand as we walked to the bleachers. Josh stepped on each bleacher bench never letting me go, bringing me right to the woman with the same dark hair as Noah, only it was longer and styled to perfection, perched on the edge of the bench.

Noah’s mom glanced over at Josh and smiled before doing a double take. Her eyes fixated on our hands.

I held my breath. Josh planted his butt on the bench and slid even closer to her. She studied me as if I were a piece of art. The kind of art she was determining if she despised it or not. It was easy to tell she was leaning towards despise.

“Who do you have there, Josh?” she asked, crinkling up her nose, never taking her eyes of me.

I wanted to shrivel up and disappear. My faced burned. I had to look away. Studying Josh’s shirt was much better. Sitting so close that his leg touched mine was even more reassuring.

“This is Sera. She performs in the Gypsy show over there.” Josh made sure he moved our hand holding where she could see it.

“That sounds questionable.” Noah’s mom huffed as she searched for Noah.

“Why?” I asked. I had heard plenty from judgmental types in the past. Wait, I was supposed to let Josh do the talking.

“It’s not questionable, Mrs.Carroll. It’s a children’s storytelling show.” Josh rubbed the back of my hand.

I leaned back so the instant death laser eyes couldn’t kill me.

“Well, you have made fast friends I see.” Mrs.Carroll leered at our hands instead.

I jumped when Rachel and Bree slid over to sit beside me.

“Hi there,” Bree said. Rachel echoed Bree’s greeting.

“Did you girls know about this?” Noah’s mom pointed at Josh and me.

Mrs. Carroll should know wrinkling her nose like that was very unattractive. I was able to keep my mouth shut by clenching my jaw.

“What? Oh Sera? She’s our new friend too so we know about her.” Bree nodded excessively and watched the arena where nothing was happening. “Yep.”

“That’s not what I mean. So, Josh, you holding hands, is that a friend thing?”

“Mrs. Carroll, Sera is my girlfriend. And if my mom cared, she would have been here sometime this week and she hasn’t been here at all. So you don’t need to worry for her. I know how to behave myself.”

Josh pushed my hair over my shoulder and whispered in my ear. “They made Noah turn in all his ribbons this morning. He’s nervous they’re taking them away because of a judging glitch. He’s concerned that maybe he’s been disqualified. He’s an absolute wreck.”

“Should we go help him?”

“No, it’s already about to start.”

Mrs. Carroll kept glancing over at me. A knot tightened in my chest. Finally, a group of people walked into the arena leading their horses. Noah was in the middle of the group and they all spread out in a line with their horses behind them.

The announcer’s voice bellowed from a loudspeaker. “We have had some unexpected events during the course of this week. One of our competitors had to forfeit their awards. That has created a shift with the results of the advanced competitions and has changed the results for grand prize trophy.”

I finally relaxed as the death stare shifted to adoration for Noah in the arena.

Kelly must not have gotten around to telling Noah she gave up her awards because the look on his face was tense. He thought it was
his
awards that had been forfeited. I wish I’d said something. The announcer read off each competition that Kelly had been in with Noah. When they presented Noah with the first place ribbon to one of the events where he placed behind her, it took him a minute to realize they called his name. We screamed and cheered as he accepted his award. Each time the announcer said his name after that, out little section of the bleachers burst out in cheers. They prepared to announce the placings for the most points won overall.

A hush fell over the bleachers for the last award, a very nice sized trophy. “The grand prize trophy is awarded to Noah Carroll.”

The bleachers shook with the cheers and stomping from all of his friends and family in the stands.

Noah took off his cowboy hat, walked with Ezra up to the girl that held the trophy, and shook her hand. Totally humble and with less confidence than the usual Noah, he accepted the trophy and stared at it as if he couldn’t believe it. His mom stood on the bleacher and took a ton of pictures, yelling louder than the rest of us.

Josh laughed at her and elbowed me in the arm. His mom was very comical with her celebratory energy. I couldn’t help it, I laughed too.

When Noah left the arena, his family attacked him with hugs. Josh, Bree, and Rachel each congratulated him. He struggled with the attention and tried to blow it off. I lingered behind everyone wanting so badly to join in, but his mom’s scrutiny and all the other horses around held me back. I hung onto the rail of the arena and waited, wishing the lump in my throat wasn’t growing. With how humble Noah was, it made me want to hug him even more and he deserved to win. Finally, our eyes met. I gave him a big smile and he gave me his endearing half-smile in return. Noah pulled Josh over to him to say something in his ear.

Whatever he said sent Josh over to me.

“He wants you to join the group if you’re comfortable.” He tugged the bottom of my lace-embellished tank top.

“I want to hug him too, just like the rest of you. I don’t think I should with his mom there, and I don’t think he wants to either.”

“Either way, he wants you there. Now’s the time to come be with all of us. I’ll play my part so well, she won’t suspect a thing.” Josh gave me his crazy eyebrows. “Or maybe she should suspect something’s up with you two. I thought we were going to post pictures of you guys after this was over?”

“How will that look after you told her I was your girlfriend?”

“I’ve got it. We’ll just post the pictures of you in your other clothes. You look totally different. Maybe we say you had a twin. There is so much we can do to toy with her. We don’t need to worry about that now, come on.” He pulled me to the group.

Reluctantly, I let him bring me into the clutches of the Mom of Terror.

She was so caught up in her son that she left me alone. The rest of his family quietly milled around behind us. Josh held my hand protectively while I hovered close to his shoulder and caught Noah glancing at me when he had the opportunity.

“I think we need to celebrate with dessert.” Noah’s mom hooked her arm in his, leading him away abruptly with his family, leaving the rest of us behind.

“I guess I’ll catch up with you guys later,” Noah said over his shoulder, with his gaze fixed on me. “Rachel, can you put Ezra away for me?”

She was already holding Ezra’s lead when his mom insisted on hugging and taking pictures earlier. “Of course.” She yelled so Noah could hear her answer as he was being whisked away.

My heart sank a little. I was finally understanding everything. The four of us stood glancing awkwardly at each other with the sudden shift from Noah’s immediate departure with his family.

“All righty then.” Josh shook his head.

“She’s so weird. She will either pay too much attention to you making you want to hide under a rock and then all of a sudden you’re invisible. Come help me, Bree.” Rachel led Ezra to the horse barn.

“I have some time before I have to go home for the show.” I said to Josh as I struggled with my ugly feelings towards Noah’s mom. “I have money for snow cones.”

“That sounds perfect. I can’t believe how hot it is. I have time right now too before I have to volunteer.”

While we waited in line, Noah’s family walked by. His mom watched us like an owl keeping an eye on its prey, almost turning her head all the way around.

“Do you think she’s watching us intentionally?” I asked.

“More than likely. Let’s go find someplace where she can’t stalk us.”

Once we had our snow cones, Josh took me to an abandoned part of the fairgrounds to the stadium where they held the big concerts. He slipped in through a gap in a chained gate and I followed, afraid that someone might catch us trespassing. He took me all the way up to the top of the stadium seating where there was shade and a nice breeze blowing through the stands to cool us off. Josh sat down, sliding his butt back so it rested on the footrest below and his legs dangled over the bench. I did the same, which kept us out of direct view from anyone that might walk by.

I concentrated on my snow cone, trying to forget how much Noah’s mom bothered me without success. “Why would Noah’s mom suspect you two were gay?”

Josh adjusted his hat and scooted down even more. “I dunno,” he mumbled. “Maybe because my mom is.” Josh’s face reddened.

“What would that have to do with you?” I dug into Josh’s snow cone and smiled.

“I guess she would think it would rub off on me or something.” Josh looked up at me somewhat relieved. “She’s pretty small-minded that way.”

“That’s silly.” I took another spoonful of Josh’s snow cone. “Yours is better than mine.”

“You think it’s silly? That she would assume I was gay?” Josh turned to face me and stopped cowering.

“Of course. I’ve seen guys that I know are gay and you and Noah aren’t even close.”

“You just say that because you’ve kissed us both. I’ve told Noah that his mom thinking we’re gay is a total joke. But I can see why, sort of.” Josh concentrated on his snow cone again.

“Why?”

“Okay, you asked. I’ve always been into movies and TV shows. I mean, it’s a hobby, everything I know. I was sick of going to movies alone and having no one to talk to about them later. I talked Noah into going with me. I have a job at the movie theater now and always pay for him to go. We tried bringing dates and that got complicated. I think word about my mom got around. Small town, biggest group of gossips you met in your life. Whatever the reason, very few girls would go out with me. Then Noah was sick of dealing with his mom and all her rules. Trying to go on double dates was just a huge hassle when she wanted to meet our dates every single time so she could harass them. You see what she does.

“We started telling his mom we were meeting girls from out of town so she wouldn’t be able to insist on meeting them. Actually, I just wanted to go to the bigger theaters where no one knew us and the sound was fantastic. In return, Noah wanted me to help him exercise his horses and go on trail rides with him. We already hung out a lot but then we were
always
hanging out. I found out I liked horses. I started doing all this horse competition stuff because Noah talked me into it. I felt like I owed him too. The horse club was great because there were more girls there. They were fine to be around. Until this week. But anyways, I think that’s why his mom thought that. The worst thing
my
mom ever did was stay in our small town and come out right when I was into girls.” He shook his head. “She’s my mom. I love her. But things are already complicated.” He took his hat off, pulled off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes.

I pulled his hands away from his face to make him look at me. It was the first time I’d seen him without glasses and his hat at the same time. I gasped. “Oh my, you look like Hunter Hayes. Why didn’t I see that before?” That wasn’t going to help me keep my distance at all.

“Who?”

“The country singer.”

“Oh yeah, I know of him.”

“That’s not what I was going to say. I was going to tell you to stop worrying about what everyone says. Obviously your mom is secure in who she is.”

“That’s easy for you to say.”

“Yeah, I guess it is. My mom’s not a lesbian, but she isn’t normal either. Sometimes I don’t like it at all. People stare when we aren’t doing the show. She’s weird and I know it. She knows it too and doesn’t care. She still makes friends and finds plenty of guys that want to date her because she is who she is. I still have a hard time, though. Sometimes I want to stay in the Caravan, especially after a week like this one and never try to make friends ever because it’s not worth it. There are always kids that talk smack about my mom and they always assume things about me.” I pulled the string ties on my skirt.

“What kinds of things?” Josh left his glasses on the bench. I stifled a laugh when he squinted at me.

“You remember what Kelly called me? I’m called that often enough. I’ve been hit on more than I want to count, by men even, and none of them wanted to be my friend the way you and Noah have been.” I straightened out my skirt, flattening it over my legs. “My mom totally ignores that stuff when it happens to her because she’s secure in who she is. I try to remember that when I’m not.”

Josh laced his fingers in mine. “I’ll try to remember that, too. Knowing you like me helps. Does looking like Hunter Hayes make you like me more?” He shifted his weight so I’d have to look at him.

“No,” I lied but I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Ha!”

I looked at my phone. “Yeah, well, I have to go.” I headed down the bleachers.

“Wait,” Josh scrambled for his hat and glasses, climbing down behind me.

“What?” I fidgeted, waiting for him to catch up.

“Would you want to kiss Hunter goodbye?” He asked trying hard not to laugh.

I gave him a push and started to leave again when he stopped me.

“I’m just kidding.” Josh squeezed the brim of his hat. “I was afraid you wouldn’t like me after I told you about my mom.” He rubbed my arm lightly. “What you said means a lot. Thank you.” He leaned in, lightly kissing my cheek.