I pass Dan in the kitchen, holding a large box. I should be doing more than freaking about Cooke since these guys were the only two we could find to help us on a weekday. I start to reach for a box when Dan asks, “Did you watch the press conference?”
“There was a press conference?”
“Yeah. After the surgery.”
“No. But I will after we’re done here.” I can’t watch it right now. It’s too much.
Bull steps up to us. “You going to go see him?”
I’m about to say no, but that’s not the word that comes out of my mouth. I look at Tayler, who’s been listening to our conversation. “Should I?”
She’s got concern written all over her face. “So he wasn’t ghosting you.” It wasn’t a question.
“No. I guess not.” I thought he was blowing me off, but it was really the other way around. “What if he needed me? Or needs me now?” I should have been there for him like he was there for me.
God. I’m so fucking selfish!
“What about school?” asks Tayler.
“I’ll text my professors. I’m always there… pretty much. I can make things up when I get back.” And if I flunk a class or two, so be it.
I can read Tayler’s face so well. She still looks worried. “You’ll need a passport.”
“Right. I have one from my senior trip to Mexico. It’s at home. Aren’t they good for ten years?”
“Yep,” says Bull.
We wait for him to say more, but he doesn’t. A man of very few words. Speaking of…. Pulling out my phone, I peek at the screen. Still nothing from Cooke.
“I can run you home to get your passport tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Tay.” I swallow thickly. “I’ll need to sit down and talk to my parents about all of this anyway.” I can’t just fly off to another country without their knowledge. “I’d best book my flight.” And tell Luke I’m not coming back for another week. He’ll be pissed, but this is important.”
“Do it. Call the airline. Tell them it’s an emergency. See if they can give you a better deal. Buying a ticket this close to you leaving could be expensive.”
“Let me check one of the discount travel sites first.” Tapping away, I enter the pertinent information. I find a flight that leaves the day after tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. and gets to Heathrow at 9:05 a.m. “It’s $2,349.”
“Not terrible.” Tayler shrugs.
It is sort of terrible, but I’ve got the money. “I’m doing it. I’ll fly back the Friday before Thanksgiving, which will give me three days to make up any work I missed before break.”
I know I should talk to Cooke first, but I can’t wait to see if he responds to me. I need to do this now; there’s something gnawing at me, like I need to get to him. I select my flights, and before I know it, I’m booked round trip for a week in London.
I hope he lets me stay with him. Hell, I hope he’s there. What if he flew off to some tropical island to recover? I’ve never been one to take chances—putting myself out there, risking it all. But I’m doing it now. For Cooke.
Chapter Forty-Three
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you.”
This is it.
“Flight attendants, prepare for landing, please.”
I’m clutching the arm of my seat and staring out of the window. I can see land moving closer and closer, and all the while my heart is beating faster and faster. I hate takeoff, but landing makes me want to puke. When I feel the bump from the wheels hitting the runway, I release a gust of air from my lungs. I was holding my breath all the way down.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Heathrow International Airport. Local time is 8:58 a.m., and local weather is partly cloudy with a temperature of fifty-nine degrees Fahrenheit, fifteen degrees Celsius.”
It’s chilly. I’m glad I’m wearing layers. Slipping on my cardigan sweater, I lean forward in my seat, waiting for my turn to deplane. I’m so ready to get up and walk around. My ass is numb, and I’m starving. Plane food isn’t the best. One good thing is the inflight entertainment. I had my own small television embedded in the seat in front of me and was able to watch several new releases and some episodes of some old favorite shows.
