Killing For Love

Chapter 34

Megan POV

For the entire two and a half hour drive, I am trying to figure out what Dean wanted to tell me, before he was interrupted by my mom coming into the car.

A million possibilities are flapping around in my head, and I can't make sense of any of it.

I'll have to ask him about it later, when we're alone.

The entire time I'm also half listening to Dean's awkward small talk conversation with my mom.

Things like 'how long have you been here for?' 'how do you like high school?' 'how did you and Megan meet?' 'what do you want to do after high school?'

That last question peaks my interest, so I listen more closely.

Dean and I have had many conversations about many different things, but the topic of post high school has never come up.

I want to do something in the arts field, but I have no idea what Dean wants to do as a career.

"Oh, I'm not really sure. I was thinking about maybe getting into....er....law stuff, maybe?" Dean tries, looking severely uncomfortable.

At this point, I can tell when my boyfriend is being genuine, and when he's talking total bullshit.

Right now, he's definitely trying to get out of this conversation.

"Mom, you said before that there's a carnival at the park we're going to? Do you know what it's all about?" I ask casually, taking the focus off Dean.

"I don't know Megan, I just read something about some sort of carnival being set up there." My mom says, with an impatient sigh.

I hate how annoyed she gets with me, over the smallest things. But hey, at least I saved Dean from that awkward conversation.

I look over at my boyfriend, who is giving me a grateful look.

I smile at him, then reach over and grab his hand. We intertwine our fingers, and Dean starts running his thumb over my knuckles.

So far, I'm thinking that my mom genuinely accepts Dean as my boyfriend, but I'm not sure if she likes him or not.

Either way, all I want to do is get the hell out of this car, so Dean and I can be alone together, and I can ask him about what he wanted to tell me.

—-

The rest of the car ride is relatively quiet, with the exception of random questions and conversation starters, but we finally make it to our destination.

I get out of the car, and slam the door behind me. Dean does the same on the other side, then comes over to me, linking our hands together again.

After a very long and boring hour of wandering around the park (that doesn't look too earth shatteringly different from other parks I've been to), my mom lets Dean and I go to the carnival.

"Be back at the car by eight at the latest, alright?" My mom says, giving both of us a vaguely stern look.

"We will be." I say, while Dean nods his head.

We turn towards a path that will lead us to the carnival, but just as I am about to join Dean, my mom catches my hand.

I look back at her, with impatience briefly flickering across my face.

"Be careful." My mom warns. "You know what I say about boys. Just don't let him do anything to you that you don't want, okay? Just say no. Then kick him in the-"

"Yes, mom, I know. I'll be fine." I say impatiently, cutting her off mid rant.

I break away from her grasp, and join Dean on the path, making our way to the carnival.

—-

What do you picture when you think of the word 'carnival'?

Rides, games, lights, oversized prizes and food, maybe a psychotic clown or two?

Well, this is pretty much exactly that.

Honestly, it kind of feels like I've stepped into the 90's or something. Everything looks so retro and old.

That's not a bad thing though, I find it very interesting.

"So, what first? The Ferris wheel?" Dean asks, grinning down at me.

"Sure." I say with a laugh.

Once we get our tickets, wait in an unnecessarily long line, and get our spots, we're slowly rolling forward on the ride.

Once we get to the top, I gaze out at the slowly darkening sky. I lean against Dean and put my head on his shoulder, he wraps one arm around me and pulls me closer.

I figure now is a good time to ask him about what he wanted to say earlier.

"Hey, Dean?" I say quietly, still gazing at the sky.

"Yeah?" He responds, looking at me.

I meet his eyes, then ask. "What were you going to say earlier? You said that you wanted to talk to me about something, but you were interrupted before you could say it. What were you going to say?"

Something seems to be warring in Dean's eyes, as if he's not sure he should tell me or not.

Finally, he says. "I was just going to say that I'm glad that I moved here, because I didn't want to leave at first. I didn't want to be alo-away from my old town. But I'm glad I moved past that, because if I didn't, I wouldn't have met you."

He smiles at me, but there's still something in his eyes that suggests he's not telling me everything.

"I'm glad you moved here too, but I don't want you to keep things from me. Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I ask, looking at him pleadingly.

Dean lets out a long sigh through his nose, then says. "I have a criminal record, Megan. That makes me seem even more dangerous than I really am. I just....I'm worried that they're going to find me, and take me away from you."

I'm surprised at first, but after a moment, that shock turns to sympathy.

"They won't find you. You live in the most boring town on the planet. Even if they do find you, I won't let them take you." I smile at him, but there's one more question I need to ask him.

My smile fades away, and it's replaced by a serious and worried expression.

"Dean, I have to ask though." I say slowly, gazing deep into my boyfriends eyes, and not blinking. "What are you charged with?"

Dean looks down at me with the most elaborate expression I've ever seen him use. I don't even know how to describe it.

After what feels like a century and a half, and my heart pounding out of my chest, he finally speaks.

"Murder."