“Wow,” she whispered.
The wind greeted them as they stepped off and a helicopter sat on the roof.
Bails began barking at the machine and Charlie turned to Demi.
“I know you don’t think I’m getting in that thing,” she said. “I hate heights, Demi.”
“Spiders, heights, what else? I’m trying to know it all.”
Her heart was pounding, and he could see her fear.
“Trust me, Bird. I got you,” he said. She nodded and fought the urge to throw up as she walked up the stairs to the helicopter. Demi smacked her ass as she climbed up, but Charlie was too afraid to feel anything other than annoyance. She swatted his hand and then turned to find Bails staring up at her.
“My man, you gon’ have to put the dog up there. I don’t fuck with the dog thing like that,” Demi instructed the second pilot.
The pilot laughed. “No problem, Mr. Sky.” The man handed Charlie her dog and Demi climbed up last. They put headphones on, and Charlie braced herself. Holding on to her seat for dearlife with one hand and gripping Demi’s wrist with the other. She felt the helicopter lift from the building, and she panicked.
“No, Demi, no, no, no, I don’t like it,” she said.
“Relax, Bird,” he said. He placed a hand over the one gripping her wrist and then pulled her into his lap.
“Open your eyes, baby,” he said.
Charlie pursed her lips, taking labored breaths.
“Trust ya man, Bird.” He almost gritted his teeth after he said it.Her man.He was setting the expectation in her heart that he belonged with her. It was a pedestal that he wouldn’t stand on long because his situation at home wouldn’t allow it. He now regretted walking out of Lauren’s office. Her eyes popped open and Charlie was in instant awe.
“Oh my God, Demi!” she exclaimed.
It was incredible. The wind in her hair, the powerful hum of the engine as the blades whipped above them. It was a rush like nothing she had ever felt.
“Can I burn you, babe?” she asked into the headset. The second pilot looked back in confusion as Demi pinched her chin between his fingertips and pulled her lips to his.
“That’s some burn,” the pilot said, his voice coming through their headsets.
Charlie laughed and Demi replied, “The very best kind, my man.”
“I’m in love with you,” Charlie said.
“So, act like it,” he said. Demi was a grudge holder. The disagreement from the night before was still heavy on his mind. Her choosing of Justin over him. His willingness to choose her over his wife, but her not giving the same energy in return, unnerved him. He was perturbed that she had that much power over him so soon. Not even Lauren could change his mood so easily.
“So, you not gon’ say it back?” she asked, jerking her neck back.
“I’m in love with you, man,” he said, stubbornly.
“Then act like it, nigga,” she snapped, climbing from his lap and going back to her own seat. Temperamental. Demi and Charlie were finicky as ever. Fucking and fighting. A recipe for disaster.
Their tension kept them silent as the helicopter landed after an hour tour around the city.
Charlie looked out her window to see the catered table and personal waiter that had been arranged on the rooftop. She wanted to go soft, but she was with whatever vibe he was bringing, and he had an attitude, so fuck it.
She didn’t even acknowledge the setup as he climbed out the helicopter. When he didn’t turn to help her, Charlie’s chest flared in rage. She took off her shoe and threw it at his back.
Demi was on her ass, turning, and pulling her from the helicopter as Bails barked like, “Don’t forget about me too.”
“Don’t let your attitude get you fucked up,” he threatened.
“You’re being mean to me,” she said. She was a pout away from splitting his heart wide open. He would have to walk light with this girl. He would fuck around and spoil her in ways he had never imagined spoiling anyone. Charlie would walk all over him whenever they disagreed if she poked her lip out like she was now. It was a secret weapon or something. Demi hated it.
