Chapter 434

"There's no way in hell I'm getting on that thing," he told me, shaking his head.

I raised my brows at him and turned to look at him.

"Is the big bad Lycan afraid of roller coasters?" I asked.

He pressed his lips in a thin line and glared at me.

"I am not afraid of anything... but I won't get on that death trap."

I smirked and folded my arms across my chest.

"Kind of sounds like you're afraid," I teased, corking my brows at him.

"I'm not afraid," he said again, firmly. "I've just had a bad experience on a roller coaster when I was a kid and never went on one again."

There was a flash of vulnerability in his eyes, and I was surprised by it. I put my hand on his arm, showing him support and comfort.

"Want to talk about it?" I asked him.

He sighed and walked over to a bench, sitting down. I sat down beside him, waiting for him to start talking.

"I went on a roller coaster when I was a kid, it was my first and only time at a theme park. I didn't realize how fast it was going to go and my stomach flipped upside down. Next thing I knew... I was getting sick. It got all over me and everyone on the coaster behind me. Afterwards, we left and I never went back again," he told me.

"That must have been tough," I said softly. "I'm sorry that happened to you. How old were you?"

"7."

I tried to imagine a 7-year-old Gavin; he was around Matt's age. I wondered if he looked like Matt; I knew Matt wasn't his biological son, but they still shared the same gene and they do kind of look alike currently. I couldn't imagine Matt getting on a roller coaster and embarrassing himself like that. I wondered if he ever went to a theme park or fair a day in his life.

I reached out and touched Gavin's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and keeping my hand placed on his.

"You were only a boy," I said softly. "You can't let that define your whole experience."

"Told myself I'd never put myself through that again," he said, lifting his gaze to look at me.

"Well, you're an adult now," I told him. "You have a stronger stomach and a fun companion who had run tons of roller coasters in her days. Maybe things will be different," I suggested.

He looked at me for a moment longer and I could see the skepticism in his eyes for a long while. He looked like he was about to protest, so I held up my hand to stop him.

"How about we start with smaller

rides first, and work our way up ot the roller coaster?" I suggested. He looked around for a moment at all the other rides that surrounded us. Some looked tougher, and others not so much. A small smile tipped the corner of his lips before he nodded. swnovel

"Yeah, that sounds good," he finally said after a long pause.

With excitement, I stood to my feet. I couldn't believe I was about to ride fair rides with Gavin; this was something I wasn't expecting. If had told a week ago that this was in the cards for me, I would have

laughed. swnovel

For the next hour, we rode a ton of different rides. Including the carousel and the merry-go-round. few times, I think I saw a smile. tippingthe corner of his lips. During the carousel, we could see the entire city from the top; we could even see both his villa and his mansion. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close and into his side, and I found myself melting against him. swnovelnoveldrama

This was nice, I had to admit.

We rode some faster rides as well and at that point, I did catch him laughing. I nudged him in one of the seats when I saw that he had a smile on his face and a laugh bubbled out of him during a small drop.

"You're having fun," I told him.

He smirked.

“Yeah,” he said simply. “Maybe I am.”

As the ride stopped and stumbled out, dizzy beyond belief, I turned to look at him.

"I think you are ready for the roller coaster," I told him.

He narrowed his eyes at me and then at the coaster that was hidden in the distance.

"I think you're ready," I told him, pointing at the coaster.

He tensed as he followed my gaze, and I could tell he was about to deny me. But

then his jaw tightened, and he nodded.

"Okay, yeah... let's try this roller coaster," he said, taking hold of my hand.

I happily led him to the line.