I'm awake and productive the next morning; cleaning the entire house, doing laundry all to distract myself. I half expect my dad to come barreling in at any minute but I still haven't heard from him. Opie hasn't called either. Filip insists it will all blow over and as much as I hope he's right, I doubt it. Later that afternoon when there's a soft knock at my door, I flinch. Jaxson stands at my door, a small smile on his face.
"Not who you were expecting?" he asks as he walks in.
"Not sure who to expect yet. Opie hasn't called me and I haven't heard from my dad yet." I tell him.
"You're dad is in no shape to talk. I'm sure you'll hear from him when he's sober." He explained. I chew on the inside of my cheek, trying to figure out what to do with my family.
"You ready? I could use a day of fun." I grab my purse and keys to follow him but he stands in his spot.
"You ok Bree?" His concern is sweet.
"Yeah, I just want to get all the yelling out of the way. I get to tell Gemma today. Filip figured she wouldn't attack me the way she would him." I tell him, he laughs at me as we head out of the house.
The smells of greasy fair food do nothing for my nausea when we arrive. The butterflies in my stomach have taken over and all my confidence is fading. Gemma and Clay wait for us with Bobby, Juice and Tig by some of the rides. The guys are in playful moods and when I walk up; Tig throws me over his shoulder and carries me over to the Fun House. Standing outside is one of the creepiest clowns I've ever seen in my life. Jaxson roars with laughter when Tig sets me down and I try to run away.
"No way Bree, in ya go." Jaxson hands the clown some tickets and I keep my eyes on the ground in front of me, trying hard to control the shaking. When the clown reaches out and tries to shake my hand, I freak out. The guys fall apart, laughing hysterically as I clutch onto Clay's arm. This is horrible. Gemma shoos the guys into the fun house, yelling at Jax for being an ass.
"Let's get something to eat." She says, wrapping her arm through my own and turning back to the food carts. Clay holds her free hand. I stay quiet, trying to figure out what to tell Gemma, until the guys return from their trip through the freaky fun house.
"You should have come with us Bree." Jaxson shakes his head laughing at me.
"I think I'm good. Thanks anyway. Let's hit some of the other rides." I tell him, no real enthusiasm in my voice. Gemma gives me a questioning glance. Jax turns around and allows me to climb on his back as we head back over to the Tilt-A-Whirl.
"You didn't tell her yet?" he whispers
"I don't even know where to begin." I answer, resting my chin on his shoulder.
"Just tell her before Piney or Opie do. She'll flip out." He tells me. I know he's right but the dread rising up in me isn't helping.
For the rest of the day, I let myself get wrapped up in all the fun. It's so nice to spend time with Jaxson like we are kids again, no worries. We run giggling from ride to ride and game to game. He actually wins one of those stupid cheap teddy bears and tosses it to me. Gemma and Clay are watching us, joining in the fun here and there. It's relaxing and for the time being I can forget they are going to be furious with me in a little bit.
Tig and Bobby jump on some rides, while Gemma and Clay disappear into the photo booth. Jax and I casually stroll along the games.
"Speaking of telling people things they need to know, what's going on with you Jaxson? I hear things you know? I'm a little worried." I tell him.
"Worried?" he scoffs
"I heard you've been spending time with Tara." I stop and look at him. He runs his hand through his hair.
"You did huh?" he doesn't answer
"Is it true?" I ask.
"We're just talking; she saved my son's life." He says. I realize I have no room to lecture him.
"Just do me a favor, be careful. Don't let her pull you back in so easily." I tell him. "That why you changed your mind about Filip and me?"
"No, I talked to Chibs. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I still don't think it will end well." He tells me as we start walking again.
"Nothing 'ends well'. Endings suck." I say
"Yeah, they do." He muses.
Tig and Bobby meet up with us just as we reach the dunk booth. Another creepy clown is belittling a little boy who missed his shots. Jax walks up to take a turn and misses as well. The clown starts talking shit and before he knows what is happening, the three guys rush the tank, pushing the button to dunk him. I laugh as I watch them repeatedly push his head under the water. Juice jogs up to us, laughing.
"Nice job!" he calls out. The trio walks away from the tank laughing. "Guys we gotta go. Clay's waiting for us."
"Aww, we were having so much fun." Tig whines with an evil grin.
"Get outta here before Clay hunts you down. Be safe." I tell them as we part.
After the sun has gone down, I catch up with Gemma in the mid-way of the carnival. She smiles when she sees me. At least I don't have to tell her and Clay at the same time.
"Hey baby. You having fun?" she asks. I nod in reply, swallowing the huge lump at the back of my throat. "What's going on with you? You've been awfully quiet today."
"I gotta talk to you mama." I brace myself, deciding direct is the best policy. "Don't freak out, I've kinda had enough of that over the last two days. I wasn't planning this and I'm still not sure what it is but Filip and I are kinda, sorta together."
"Excuse me?" she says, a shocked expression on her face. "Does your father know?"
"Yeah, Filip talked to Opie yesterday, Opie talked to dad." I stare at my hands, not able to look at her. She's disappointed.
"Filip? Jesus Aubrey. What are you thinking?" she asks, not yelling, just concerned.
"It kinda just happened. There was this night, he was taking care of me and I just saw him. Really saw him. I kissed him and . . ." she holds up her hand, not wanting to hear anymore.
"How long?" she asked.
"About a month now." She puts her finger on my chin, lifting my eyes up to hers. "He's good to me Gem. I'm happy." I try to reassure her.
"Is it serious?" her gaze makes me uncomfortable.
"I think it could be but we've both been so wrapped up in how to tell or if to tell." Her eyes search mine for something.
"Baby girl I hope you know what you're doing." She shakes her head.
"Me too." I can't help admit. "I think I'm completely falling for him. It's scary but he hasn't given me any reason to doubt him. I feel safe with him."
"Oh boy, you got it bad honey." She laughs at me as we walk along. My phone buzzes in my pocket. Filip's name lights up the screen.
"Hey" I answer, taking a step away from Gemma.
"How's it going baby?" Just the sound of his voice makes me grin uncontrollably.
"Not so bad, better than I thought at least. Everything ok?" I ask
"Aye. I just wanted to make sure Gemma didn't throw you off a Ferris wheel or somethin." He teases
"No, we talked. I'll see you tonight?" I ask, hoping he's going to be there later.
"Damn woman, don't you need a night off?" he chuckles.
"Not anytime soon. Bye Filip." I tuck my phone back in my pocket and turn back to Gemma. She's staring at me.
We're grabbing lemonade when Karen Oswald approaches us frantically.
"Have you seen Tristan?" she asks, worried. We both shake our heads. "She's missing, she was right here and now we can't find her."
"Oh my God." Gemma yells going with the woman to help her find her daughter. Elliot is on the phone with Unser, reporting his daughter missing. I follow him to help in the search. The carnival is suddenly surrounded by police cars and people joining the search. The police are combing the area around the grounds. Gemma and I stand with Karen, trying to calm her, waiting for any news.
Sometime after 2am, Unser approaches our table. His weary face speaks volumes.
"Ma'am, we found her. We're taking her up to St. Thomas, c'mon I'll get you into the bus with her." He says. One of the other deputies helps the Oswalds to the ambulance with their daughter.
"She gonna be ok?" Gemma asks
"I don't know Gem. It looks pretty bad." He answers; a bleak look on his face. "You guys should head on home. Not much else we can do until after we know what happened."
We walk toward the parking lot in silence. I stare at my feet as we walk until Gemma clears her throat. I look up and Filip is waiting, leaning on his bike. A tired smile creeps across my face. He meets us about half way and puts his arms around me.
"All right?" he asks.
"Just tired." I tell him
"Gemma, how bout you?" he asks, not taking his arms away.
"We'll see Filip. Be good to my baby girl, understand?" she pokes her finger in his shoulder. He nods. I pull away from him and give her a hug and kiss before heading to Filip's bike.