Chapter 30

Chapter

Thirty

As we weavethrough the rain-slicked roads, the world outside the window is a canvas of shifting grays and greens; I can"t help but throw out wild guesses about our destination, each more outlandish than the last.

"How about the World"s Smallest Police Station? It"s actually just a phone booth in Carrabelle," I say, scrolling through my phone, the list of Florida"s quirkiest spots lighting up my screen.

Morgan chuckles, a deep, warm sound that fills the cab. "That sounds... cozy, but nope, not today."

"Fine, then what about Spook Hill? I"ve read that cars roll uphill there. Defying gravity could be fun, right?" I suggest, my eyes flicking up to gauge his reaction.

"Spook Hill is intriguing, but I think we can do better than defying gravity on a hill," he replies, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Okay, okay, how about Devil"s Den Underground Grotto? That place looks like something out of a fantasy novel!" I"m getting more excited with each suggestion, the thrill of the unknown making my heart race.

Morgan"s laughter fills the truck again, shaking his head. "You"re getting warmer, but still not quite there. Where we're going is actually on the beaten path." Morgan's eyes twinkle with a secret he"s not yet ready to share.

"But I thought adventures were all about going off the beaten path," I counter with a playful smile, trying to coax more information out of him. His only response is an enigmatic grin that tells me nothing.

As we exit the highway, I realize we're right in the heart of Orlando, and a sudden realization dawns on me. "Wait, are we going to a theme park?" I can"t keep the surprise out of my voice. The giant billboard for Universal Studios telling us to merge right is a dead giveaway.

Morgan"s answering smile is all the confirmation I need. "And would that make you happy?"

"I don't know. I mean, I've never been, but…" My mind races with images of towering roller coasters and immersive themed lands I"ve only seen online. My childhood wasn't exactly filled with happy family vacations. "Aren"t they all big, scary rides?" My excitement is subdued with a hint of apprehension, the kind that makes your stomach flitter and your heart race. Actually, it feels awful like the prospect of flying, which is, I'm sure, why Morgan's brought me here.

Morgan"s gaze softens, understanding my unspoken fears. "Yes, but there"s so much more than just rides. And we don"t have to do anything you"re not up for," he says, giving me the out I didn"t even know I needed.

The decision hangs in the air between us, a choice that feels bigger than just a day at an amusement park. It"s about stepping out of my comfort zone, about choosing to embrace the unexpected with someone who"s quickly becoming more than my flying coach, whether either of us wants to admit it or not.

Taking a deep breath, I let the excitement win over the nerves. "Alright, let's go." The words are out before I can second-guess them, and Morgan"s smile widens in response.

As we pull into the parking lot, the enormity of what I"ve agreed to begins to sink in.

Morgan quickly finds a spot in the parking garage and uses his cell phone to buy our tickets. "My treat," he says, securing our tickets and express passes with a couple of extra clicks.

I get out of the jeep as a line of cars continue to stream in after us, each one parking down the row, and look up at the cement column. Morgan snaps a picture of it. "King Kong, 409, got it," he says as if he does this all the time.

"What?" I ask, not following.

"In case we forget where we park," he explains.

"Do you do that often?"

"Forget where I park?" Morgan asks.

"Uh-huh."

"After spending a day with your head spinning and stomach dropping, everyone forgets where they park."

My eyes go wide in response.

"C'mon, let's get going." Morgan takes me by the hand. His fingers are warm, the touch firm yet gentle, and I can"t help but marvel at how natural it feels to be walking with him like this.

As we navigate the escalators, the grandeur of City Walk unfolds before us, with the iconic Hard Rock Cafe to the right and dozens of stores three stories tall in front of us.

The river, with its slow-moving hotel boats, adds a serene contrast to the bustle. I watch, fascinated, as families and couples glide by, their laughter and chatter floating up to where we stand. It"s a scene straight out of a postcard, the kind of moment that makes you pause and just take it all in.

A swell of thankfulness catches me off guard, and I can"t help but feel a touch foolish. No one"s ever whisked me away to a theme park, or any of those fanciful outings that seem so ordinary to others. Growing up in the system, dreaming beyond the next meal or a safe place to sleep seemed a luxury too far out of reach. My life"s been a marathon of hustling, clawing through each day with the singular aim of survival. Those brief moments of respite in Mystic Hollow with Iris and Avery? That was the closest taste of "holiday" I"ve ever known. Until today.

Morgan"s voice slices through my reverie, imbued with a hint of worry. "Everything alright?" He slows, his gaze probing, seeking.

I cobble together a semblance of a smile, my insides a tumult of emotions. "Yeah, just... this is all new to me. Means a lot, you know?" My words are barely more than a whisper, lost amidst the clamor of City Walk.

His returning smile, laden with empathy, grounds me. "I"m just glad I get to be part of your firsts," he says, and there"s a beat, a fleeting eternity where everything unspoken hangs in the air. A part of me aches to bridge that gap with a kiss, to lean into the promise of "what if.' But reality is a bucket of cold water, and I douse those flames quickly. I"m here on borrowed time, a temporary escape from my own life"s mess back west. Diving heart-first into anything with Morgan? That"s a chapter I can"t afford to pen, not when boundaries have been drawn, and my stay has a ticking clock.

Morgan"s voice, gentle yet insistent, draws me back. "You sure you"re okay?"

I nod, grounding myself in the now. "Definitely. So, where to first?"

We"re at a crossroads, literally. To the right, Universal Studios beckons, and to the left, Island of Adventure looms. "Got us Park Hopper passes," Morgan casually throws in as if it"s no big deal.

My gaze catches on the sheer drop of a red coaster in the distance, and my heart lurches. "Not that one," I say, veering left.

Morgan"s chuckle is light. "Scared? Just so you know, there"s more where that came from this way."

I pause, torn between apprehension and the thrill of the unknown.

"Only two big ones here. And we don"t have to ride them, but..."

"But?" I prompt, curiosity piqued despite myself.

"I have a hunch you might actually like them."

Against my better judgment, I find myself nodding, Morgan"s confidence infectious. Maybe, just maybe, he"s onto something.