Andy frowns. “What about your parents, surely-”
“Foster care. I don’t even know which one of my mom’s johns was my dad. Luckily, she OD’d and child welfare came and got me. Otherwise, my life would be a whole different story.”
“What about your foster family?”
“Not good but not as bad as others. I survived.” Shuddering at the vision of Mrs. Rasmussan with her wooden spoon raised high, I curse under my breath and mumble, “Not something I really want to talk about.”
“Sure, luv.” His endearment makes my stupid heart flutter and I scold myself with more logic.
Luv doesn’t equal L O V E.
I refuse to gaze into his gorgeous, brown eyes or lean into the strong body that gave me a night so full of pleasure, changing me forever. Nor, will I wallow in self-pity.
Instead, I get down to business. “Before we go, I need to call Sam. I know a few women who might be able to fill in for me while I’m gone.”
Trouble is, they’re so good, they’ll have my gig by the time I come back… if I come back.
That seems to please Mr. Bossy. “Good idea. I got a few things to attend to, as well. I’ll be in my office if you need me. Stay away from the windows, okay?”
“Yeah, no problem.”
He spins in shoes that probably cost a fortune. After his footsteps stop on the floor below, I heave a heavy sigh and make calls, essentially killing off my career.
By the time Andy says it’s almost time to leave, the band is all set, my rent is paid, and my life is over. Perhaps, if I think of this trip as a kind of vacation, rather than hiding out, I can survive the sadness threatening to overwhelm me.
I pack my things, the doorbell rings and I freeze until Jack’s familiar voice echoes up the stairwell. Immediately, I’m rushed out the door, flanked by two huge men with fierce faces, mouths grim.
I stay silent with my headphones in my ears while their eyes dart into every vehicle on the way to the airport. The inside of the SUV is so tense, I’m surprised a wide crack doesn’t appear and suck everyone in, like that Stephen King novel.
Not for the first time today, I long for the man who held me tight last night. For a brief moment, I was the most precious thing in his world. Today, the guy sitting next to me is scary as shit. Like Jack, he’s even carrying a gun.
The trip to JFK takes about an hour. While others wait in a long line that curls around for miles, we just walk up to this special gate and I show my driver’s license. Then, my few belongings are put through a conveyor belt and I walk through a machine with my arms up in the air. After strolling past bars, gift stores, and duty-free shops, we finally arrive at a seating area near a small booth. Over it, our flight is written on an electronic sign.
Andy and Jack’s eyes are everywhere. I have no idea how they can stay so vigilant but it’s exhausting to watch. Despite the hard, plastic chair digging into my side, I lean over, Andy raises an arm, and I put my head on his chest.
I must’ve fallen asleep because there’s drool on his shirt, my neck hurts, and people are standing in line to board.
“Sorry.” My face heats as I try to wipe my spittle off his shirt but Andy’s eyes are soft as they gaze upon me. Maybe while I slept, aliens came down and put my lover back into his body.
His hand at my lower back, he leads us through this tunnel that angles down with a curve. At the end, I greet a stewardess with a smile plastered on her face.
She glances down at my ticket and points to a few seats up front. “You’re right there, miss.”
Andy lets me sit by the window. Jack walks further into the cabin with a quick nod at us. “Why is he-”
A finger goes to my lips. “Security, luv.”
Fascinated, I watch as the plane fills and get a bit worried when the stewardess gives her safety spiel. No one else even looks at the videos but hell, I do. I check my seat for the promised life preserver and look for the hole where the oxygen mask is supposed to drop down. If it does, would I rather pass out or actually experience a crash to earth?
My thoughts are still there as the engines roar and the jet picks up speed. When we lift off, my stomach flipflops and my hand clamps to Andy’s knee.
“Wow.” The world gets smaller as we slice through layer after layer of fluffy clouds.
It is so cool to watch the city fade away. Then, so much green is disconcerting.
“I always figured forests were a myth.” I make weird faces with an open jaw to get my ears to pop and wonder if Andy knows I’ve never flown before.
He pushes up the arm rest between us, making one long seat, his thigh pressing firmly against mine. When his hand rests on my mine, I gaze up to where his chocolate eyes hold me captive. One of his nostrils flare and his tongue flicks over his lower lip. My brain stops, my lady-lips twinge, and like in the Uber last night, I wish his hand was a tad higher.
