I wake to Tamara gently nudging me.
“Miss Norman, the jet is about to land. I’m sorry to wake you, but you have to bring your seat up into position,” she states with a smile.
I nod and look over at Colt’s seat.
He isn’t there.
No surprise, I suppose.
Sitting up, I gaze around the jet. Everyone’s in the same seats, and Colt is still sitting next to Dingo. I stretch and flatten my hair, as I’m sure it looks messy, and start to feel nervous as the jet begins its descent. My breath quickens, and my grip on the armrests is so tight my knuckles turn white.
For some reason, when laughter from the front of the jet travels back to me, it makes me more nervous. Colt is probably up there, laughing it up about our tryst and his plans with Sarah. I will be the laughingstock for the rest of the tour.
Maybe Daddy was right after all.
Oh, for fuck’s sake, Dee. Now you’re paranoid!
The cabin starts shaking, and my whole body tenses in a knee-jerk reaction. Not long after, the jolt of the tires hitting the landing strip catches my breath in panic.
I. Fucking. Hate. Flying!
When I exhale, the sound catches Anna’s attention, and I cringe because the last thing I want is pity or to draw any more unwanted attention. But instead of saying anything, she smiles brightly, then turns back to face Johnny.
What was that about?
Even though I don’t know Anna that well, I don’t think she would be the type of person to make fun of me, but there was more to that smile than meets the eye. I am sure of it—my brows furrow.
The jet slows as it travels across the private airfield’s tarmac. When it finally comes to a stop, Tamara gives a signal, and everyone stands. She doesn’t need to tell me twice. If I could, I would be the first person off this plane and on another one home. Or maybe I could cruise home? That would take forever, and it would probably be a good thing for me and everyone around me.
They all walk toward the front exit as the doors open, leading the stairs onto American soil, leaving me to follow quietly behind.
“USA, bitches,land of the free and home of the brave. We’re gonna rock your fuckin’ socks off,” Dingo yells as he exits.
Everyone laughs as I make my way down the front, while I watch Colt walk off with Jessi following closely behind.
I hate that bitch!
A black stretch Hummer is waiting, and thinking back to their last vehicle, I figure this must be their choice of transportation.
After I make my way down the stairs and onto safe ground, it takes everything I have not to get on my knees and kiss the soil. If I never have to fly again, it will be too soon.
They’re all piling into the Hummer as I approach, and once again, I’m the last one in. I quietly make my way inside and think how thisspontaneous bullshithas been nothing but a fricking disaster. It’s like I’m the third wheel, except there are more than just two of them.
The first thing I notice as I sit next to Anna is Colt seated at the far end with Jessi on one side and Dingo on the other. The driver shuts the door behind me, and I wrap my arms around myself, looking out the window for a distraction.
What am I going to do now?
Before too long, we’re driving along the New York Streets, but instead of being excited, all I can think about is home. Thankfully, I’m not stuck in my thoughts for too long. About half an hour later, we’re pulling into an underground parking garage for the Rutherford Regent Hotel in New York. Everyone in the car is happy and excited to be in America, while I sit staring out the window.
The Hummer pulls up, and when the door opens, I don’t waste any time. I hop out of the car and walk toward the elevator to the lobby.
Sia wraps her arm around my waist and leans in close. “It’ll all be okay, Little Bean. You’re beginning to sprout. Don’t stop now,” she says, then lets me go as we walk into the elevator. I exhale, having no idea what in the hell she’s talking about.
Huxley steps in next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, and looks at me with a smirk. I look up at him with my forehead crinkled in confusion.
“If you get sick of my brother and you want areal man, my door’s always open, beautiful,” he says, then his hand falls from my shoulder to my breast and squeezes.
For a second, I’m stunned, and my eyes widen in shock.
