Free Shade's Fall by Jamie Begley

another game, shooting water into a clown’s mouth. She did well in a race with the other women, jumping up and down when she won, laughing.
    They did two more races and Lily finally won a prize, picking a purple monkey. The man behind the counter handed it to Lily.
    “Here you go.” Lily handed it to Beth.
    “Don’t you want it?” Beth protested.
    “You’re the one that likes stuffed animals.” Lily didn’t like to collect items. The only thing she had let herself get in a long time was the flower and Gaige had seen to its destruction.
    With their game over, they went to watch the men play. Train and Rider were shooting at the targets while Viper and Shade stood nearby watching. Razer walked to Beth, putting his arm around her shoulder as they all waited to see who would win. Lily stood to the side near Beth as Evie and Jewell came to stand next to her.
    It was fun just watching everyone relax.
    “Why don’t you take a turn, Shade?” Bliss asked.
    Shade’s eyes went to Bliss and the small woman seemed to shrink in on herself. Shade was good at that. Lily felt bad for the woman, throwing Shade an angry glance, which he ignored.
    “Let’s go ride the bumper cars,” Bliss suggested.
    The Last Riders made their way through the fair, stopping and riding a few rides and playing several more games.
    Everyone was waiting in line for a ride that Lily had no intention of getting on.
    “I’m going to go get something to drink,” Lily told Beth who was standing in line with Razer, her arms wrapped around his waist. Lily was happy that Beth was so much in love with her husband.
    She walked to one of the vendors to get a soda. Unable to resist, she bought a cotton candy, too. Taking a seat at a nearby picnic table, she watched the ride going around and around. Nope, that ride wasn’t for her.
    Opening her bag of cotton candy, she pulled out a tuft of the soft confection and ate it. The sugar melted on her tongue. She licked the sugar crystals from her lips.
    Shade sat down on the bench next to her. “You don’t want to ride?”
    “Not that one, I don’t,” Lily replied, smiling, her anger forgotten.
    She sat, eating her candy as The Last Riders got on. Then, seconds later, she heard the women’s screams and the men mocking them.
    She pulled out another tuft of cotton candy, letting it melt on her tongue once more as she felt Shade move restlessly next to her, and she looked at him inquiringly. She licked the sugar crystals from her lips and watched as his blue eyes fell to them. Uncomfortable, Lily turned away, taking a drink of her soda.
    When she saw The Last Riders get off the ride, Bliss, Jewell and Evie were walking with Rider; Dawn and Stori were next to Train; Raci was walking with Cash; Winter and Viper were walking hand-in-hand; and Ember was mixed in with the rest of the bikers, teasing Nickel for having a weak stomach.
    Lily thought about how happy everyone looked.
    “What are you thinking?” Shade asked.
    She turned to him with a start, giving him a sweet smile. “I was just thinking how happy everyone looked, like they belong together. I can see you all care about each other.” Lily tore another piece of the spun candy off. “You shouldn’t be so hard on Bliss. I think she has a thing for you,” Lily said, raising the confection to her lips.
    Shade’s hand snapped out, catching her wrist in a hard grasp. “What did I tell you about me not being your BFF? Bliss knows exactly what I feel for her.” Shade brought her hand to his mouth, taking the bite of cotton candy from her fingertips. His tongue licked her fingers, taking the sugar off.
    Lily shuddered, her eyes darkening. Jerking her hand from his, she avoided his eyes. She got to her feet and dumped the cotton candy and drink into the trashcan before making a beeline straight for Beth’s side.
    She refused to let herself think or dwell on the incident. It was just one more memory to lock behind her imaginary door when she couldn’t cope