“I’ve turned into an alcoholic since I met you,” I reply with a slight smile.
“Well, you should have no problem drinking it, then.”
I exhale and throw back my old friend, Jack. Colt chuckles when I scrunch up my face in disgust while the jet moves along the runway quickly, and I clench my eyes shut.
Colt squeezes my hand tightly. “I’m right here with you. I’m not going anywhere. You’re safe with me,” Colt affirms, calming me slightly.
The cabin shakes as we lift off, and everyone in the jet cheers except for Colt and me. Ascending higher and higher into the sky, I feel numb. Colt watches me intensely while I shake in my seat and feel like I’m fading in and out. I know I’m not, but my dreamlike state has me frozen in a living nightmare, my breathing quickening and my palms sweating.
“I’m right here, baby. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says, snapping me back into reality.
Did he just call me baby?
“Baby?” I ask, looking directly at him.
“Yeah, just kinda came out,” he says, kissing my hand again.
A calm washes over me as Tamara returns with another two glasses of Jack. I’m so focused on the liquid swirling that I barely pay attention to her. No sooner does she set the glasses down than I pick one up and shoot it.
Colt laughs and does the same. “C’mon, let’s get pissed and forget we’re even on a jet,” Colt says, and I giggle for the first time since getting on this stupid jet.
He waves Tamara over. “Can we have the whole bottle, please?”
“Sure, Mr. Slade.”
Dingo walks over and slaps Colt across the back of the head. “What are you doin’ drinking already?” he asks.
I bite my lip and swallow.
“Dee’s scared of flying, so we’re gonna forget we’re on a damn jet.”
Dingo laughs. “Well, Little Bean, you’d better get used to flying if you wanna hang out with us.”
I smile and give him a slight shrug. “I’m trying.”
“Yeah, I can see. Well, have fun getting hammered.” I watch him walk to the front of the jet, where the rest of the band and the Slayettes are seated. I can’t help but notice Jessi eyeing me like she’s a tiger, ready to pounce on her prey. That woman has a crazed look about her at times.
Tamara returns with a bottle of Jack and places it on the table in front of us.
“Thanks, Tam,” Colt says.
“Okay, let’s get this piss party started,” Colt suggests, pouring another glass.
A few hours, a half-empty bottle of Jack later, and I’m feeling far more relaxed. I’m still functioning, albeit tipsy. We’re talking about our past and funny stories about ourselves.
I’m enjoying myself and not worrying about the flight at all.
A little curious as to what it looks like out the window of the jet next to where Colt is seated, I stand abruptly, and Colt looks at me curiously. Shuffling toward him, I sit on his lap.
Apparently, my inhibitions have left with my nerves.
He wraps his arms around me as I cuddle into his chest.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise,” he says, nuzzling my neck.
“I wanted to look out the window,” I answer, and he chuckles.
“So, you didn’t want to sit on my lap. You’re just using me for the view.” He chuckles.
