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Chapter 77

There's nobody here, just us together

– Lana Del Rey, Lust for Life

. . . . 

The seven of us leave the house at around six in the afternoon and drive the short route to the boardwalk where it's almost next to impossible to find a parking spot within a reasonable walking distance from the lot to the shops and rides.

Harry's parents go wait in line for a cup of sea salt fries with Gemma while the three of us and Ryan wait in line for one of the more childlike roller coasters. The entire time in line is spent with Harry nervously eyeing the looming Ferris wheel that towers over everything and everyone.

Lilly doesn't settle his nerves one bit either by tugging at his sleeve saying that she wants to go on it next. The sooner the line dwindles down and we're next in line, Harry gets even more nervous for the next ride.

"You'll be fine," I comfort him as we get in the cart. He wraps an arm around my shoulder, trying to play it off like he's absolutely fine with all of these rides, but I see through it.

"I'm fine on this."

"Maybe, but I know you're pissing yourself for the next ride."

He looks at me strangely then says, "What next ride? I'm not going on that fucking death trap."

"Yes, you are," Ryan says from behind us with Lilly looking around at all the people laughing and talking.

"Hell no."

"I'm taking Lilly since Gem can't with her being pregnant, and they don't allow single riders. Would you really do that to your lovely lady?" He points out with a tight smirk and squeezes Lilly into his side as she giggles at her dad's sweaty brow.

"Will you do it?" I kiss just at the edge of his jawline once and whisper into his ear slowly. "For me?"

He turns to look at me and finally says, "No way in hell" before the ride finally takes off and we're whipping around in the wind.

. . . .

"Next riders!"

Harry watches from beside me in line as his little girl gets into the cart with Ryan by her side. The ride shifts and they move backward and he lifts his hand, waving to Harry and laughing at his horrified face.

The burly man with a bald head and a greying goatee signals us into a bright red cart. Harry buckles his seat belt and yanks on the strap as tight as possible, apprehensively tapping his fingers against the metal plate in front of us.

"I will never forgive you for making me do this." He grumbles and his breath hitches when the ride lurches and we move back a cart space.

"Only six laps around and then you can puke."

He looks at me like I just slaughtered his pet right in front of his eyes and says, "Six? Jesus."

"Talk to me. Maybe it'll ease up your nerves. Tell me about Gemma's pregnancy."

"Shit, uh," the ride lurches and we start to move more and we're about a quarter of the way up until it stops again. "She said that...they were trying for about a month and she only found out last week that she's pregnant."

"You're okay," I wrap my arms around him and rest my head on his shoulder. "Keep going."

"I can't. It's not helping." He has his eyes squinted shut, a death grip on the metal handle in the center of the cart. "How high up are we?"

I look over the edge of the ride and spot Anne and Robin on a bench watching a pair of seagulls fighting over a pretzel. "Not that high. Just hold onto my hand."