“I’ll be there.” I hang up the phone and lean my head against the backseat of the cab. This thing is probably disgusting, but I don’t even have it in me to care. “Can I do this?”
“Look, babe,” she turns in the seat until she’s facing me. “I will not keep having this conversation with you. I love you, but you’re torturing yourself. What did I tell you before we left?”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff,” I answer, monotone.
“Exactly.” Her head bobs up and down. “Things will work out, and if they don’t, I’ll be right here.” She pauses, staring out the window, “but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.”
“I hope you’re right.” Being thrown to the side again is one of my worst fears. I never want to go through that again. Not that I can control it, but it’s why I’ve been so careful with my heart all this time. Until I met Bentley. He turned my entire world upside down and helped me realize I want something more. I want companionship.
Traffic finally clears up, and we’ve made it to the airport with minutes to spare. This is way too damn close to the time we have to come in for our flight. One day Hazel will get her shit together and we’ll leave on time.
We’re speed walking to the gate and notice the words delayed on the giant screen. You have got to be fucking kidding me. “This can’t be happening,” I grumble.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll find out how long the delay is.” Hazel rushes to the information desk between the two gates and speaks hurriedly to the man standing there. He tries to get a word in, and I wish I could hear what he’s saying, but I’m too far away. Hazel talks over him, and he backs up a step. I’ve never seen him before, so he must be new. He obviously doesn’t know the force of nature my best friend can be. Especially when it’s helping me.
Hazel turns and stomps back to me. A scowl on her face. Anger is not her best look. “What’s the verdict?” I ask.
“You’re not going to like it,” she sighs. When I don’t say anything she continues, “it looks like we’ll have a minimum of a two-hour delay.”
My mouth drops open. Oh no, this can’t be happening. I’ll miss the entirety of Bentley’s game. And that’s if we stick to the two-hour delay. If the man upstairs is looking out for me at all, whatever is causing it will go away quickly. “I need to text Bentley to let him know.” That’s the only thing I can think to say, and I’m not sure he’ll get the message. He usually turns his phone off when he gets to the stadium on game days.
“It’s a storm in our flight path that’s causing it. I’ll check the weather app in that area and see what it looks like.”
“Thanks.” I pull out my phone, hoping this isn’t a bad omen, to shoot off a text to Bentley.
* * *
Serena: Our flight is delayed, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.
* * *
Fingers crossed I can at least meet him at the stadium.
I glance at my watch as the passengers get off the plane. I’ve always been patient with people taking their time, but tonight…I need them to pick up their step and get out of here already. From what I can tell, the Rattlers should be in the third quarter. If these people hurry, I can get the plane cleaned up and grab a cab to get me there as soon as the game is over.
Before the last passenger is even all the way out the door, I turn to the attendant’s station and grab the cleaning supplies. It’s time to get this show on the road so I can get out of here. I’m eager to see my guy, and that’s not going to happen until this thing is clean.
Heading toward the front of the plane, Hazel stops me. “I’ve got this. You get out of here. I know you’ve already missed most of the game, but if you leave now, maybe you’ll get to see him afterward.”
“Are you sure?” She doesn’t need to take on my work because I have a boyfriend. “I don’t want you to bear all the responsibility of getting this done.”
“I’m sure,” she grins. “You being happy is the most important thing right now and cleaning up after all these people will not do that. Now, get out of here.”
I throw the cleaning supplies on the nearest seat and wrap my arms around her. “You are seriously the best. I owe you big time.”
“Yes, you do, and I’ll cash the favor in when you least expect it.” She disentangles herself from me and pushes me toward the door. “Go before I change my mind.”
Without another word, I grab my suitcase from the compartment and dash through the air bridge. Looking at my watch, I see how much time I might have. Good. Enough time to change before I grab a cab. I don’t want to show up in my uniform. I’m sweaty after being surrounded by so many people in an enclosed space. I rush into the closest bathroom and change. Sadly, I can’t do anything about my hair. It’ll just have to stay up until we get to his place. We aren’t supposed to go to his mom’s until tomorrow for lunch, and it’s a relief I don’t have to worry about my appearance too much right now. He’s used to seeing me like this.
I hurry by people coming and going through the airport until I’m in the pickup area. Luckily, there’s a cab waiting there, and it doesn’t look like there’s anyone waiting for it. I tap on the window and he waves for me to get in. I don’t bother putting my suitcase in the trunk. That takes too much time and unfortunately, it’s not something I have a lot of if I want to get to the stadium before he leaves.
Sliding the suitcase in before I sit down on the seat, I call out to the driver. “I need to get to the stadium.”
He looks over his shoulder at me, “the game is almost over. Are you sure you don’t want to go anywhere else?”
“Yes,” I nod even though it’s dark and I’m not sure he can see it. “I need to go wherever the players leave from.”
“Ah,” he shakes his head. “I’ll get you there as soon as I can.”
