I nodded before pulling out my phone to check flights, but Bridger’s hand smacked mine, knocking my phone to the floor.
“What the fuck was that?” I hissed before reaching down to grab it.
He kicked it with his foot so it was even farther away.
“You have a cousin with a private plane and a pilot. Why the fuck are you searching flights?”
“Because I’m flying alone, jackass. I’m not going to have the plane fly only me across the country,” I grumped before picking up my phone and sitting back down.
“This is an emergency. You need to get there quickly.” He typed into his phone. “You can take it both ways. Whatever you need. Just stop trying to figure everything out for yourself. We’ve got your back, you know that.”
“That’ll save you the time of sitting at the airport,” Archer added. “With the time change, if you leave in the next two hours, you’ll be there in the morning before she starts.”
“Lars already responded. He can be ready to go at midnight tonight. You can stay for cake and then go pack a bag and head to the hangar. You’ve got a six-hour flight and a three-hour time change, so you’ll be there by nine a.m. tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Thank you, B. And you don’t think Easton will care if I bow out early?”
“What won’t Easton care about?” Easton chuckled as he moved in front of me and crossed his arms over his chest.
I filled him in on what was happening, and a wide grin spread across his face. “I’m glad you finally admitted you’re miserable going this long without seeing her. I’m happy you were here for the ceremony, but get the hell out of here and go see your girl.”
“Lars isn’t ready yet, so he can have cake first. That is, if you ever decide to slice it and let the rest of us eat it,” Bridger griped.
“Damn, you are such a hangry bastard. We’re doing cake next,” Easton said with a laugh.
And that’s exactly what I did. I ate some cake. Hugged everyone goodbye. And then I hauled ass to my house to pack a bag, and I made it just in time to the hangar before we took off.
I thanked Lars profusely for flying me when we landed in New York. And I laughed when I saw a car waiting for me right on the runway, with a man holding a sign that read:Stubborn Ass.
“I’m guessing my cousin sent you?” I asked the older man, and he chuckled.
“You must be Axel?”
“Yep.” I loaded my bag and gave him the address, and I checked my phone to see a missed text from Wren.
I hadn’t told her I was coming. I wanted to surprise her. She had enough on her plate right now.
Hey baby. Thinking of you this morning. Deep breaths. Just go out there and have fun. Tune out all those voices and just enjoy being there with Wrax the way you always have.
Wren
Thank you. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I feel at peace this morning. I’m dying to hear more about the wedding. Thanks for sending all those photos. I just had breakfast, and I need to go check on Wrax.
All right. Check in when you can, okay? Good luck. I love you.
And then I sent her the words I knew she needed to hear this morning.
That’s my Horse Girl, sitting up high. She shines brighter than all the stars in the sky. Soaring through the air, with strength and grace. Try to catch her, and she’ll put you in your place. She’s got big dreams, just watch her fly. In a heartbeat, she’ll pass you by.
Wren
I love you, Cowboy.
I tucked my phone in my pocket as we drove the short distance to the competition site.
Once I arrived, I tipped the driver and thanked him for the ride. He gave me his cell phone number and told me to text him when I was ready to be picked up tomorrow evening.
I’d only brought a duffle bag, which I slung over my shoulder as I maneuvered through the crowd. A man on a loudspeaker was making announcements, and I knew Wren was going to be called any minute. Today was cross-country, which was the most dangerous event, but she’d always come alive during this phase.
