“You’ve got school and work.”
“Which will still be here when we get back,” she countered. “I’m going with you, Jasper. You pack while I book the flights. I’ll need to run by home to grab a few things, but we’ll get on the first flight out.”
“Give me a second,” I demanded, squeezing her tighter.
She sighed, melting into me and holding me close.
* * *
Violet found a red-eye out of Denver which meant an hour drive to the airport, but everything out of Colorado Springs had a connecting flight, so we’d be in Portland hours later than if we drove to Denver and flew direct.
She also managed to get the flights for half the price, considering it was an emergency, which meant I didn’t have to deplete my bank account completely.
I was a little surprised to find Sundance waiting for us at the house. Apparently, he was driving us to the airport, then handling cannabis business the next day. The club had several shops in Denver, so he said it was a good excuse for him to ‘take care of shit.’
I didn’t really care. I was just glad I didn’t have to drive in my agitated state. I had no desire or intention of putting Violet in danger, and me driving right now would not be a good idea.
Violet rode shotgun while I sat silently behind her. Sundance had a huge Ford truck which meant I could ride comfortably in the second cab with our bags. No one talked until we were close to the airport and Letti gave Sundance the terminal information.
My president pulled the truck to the departures curb and climbed out, grabbing a bag while I did the same and joined Violet on the sidewalk.
“You do what you gotta do,” he said, settling a beefy hand on my shoulder. “You need anything, don’t hesitate. You need me to come out there, tell me. Always like an excuse to visit Portland.”
I nodded, still not able to find my voice.
Violet hugged her dad and he kissed the top of her head, then climbed in his truck and drove away.
“Ready?” she asked. I shook my head and she smiled gently up at me. “I’ve got you, honey. Whatever you need.”
I nodded, stroking her cheek, then we headed inside and straight to security. There weren’t a whole lot of people, so we got through the line relatively quickly, then onto the plane almost immediately.
I set our bags up in a bin, then sat by the window and raised the arm rest so I could wrap my arm around Violet and hold her close. I really wanted to drag her onto my lap and bury myself in her, but seatbelts made that impossible.
Once the plane was in the air, I started to relax a little. Part of that might also have had to do with the fact Violet slid her arm around my waist and fell asleep on me. There was nothing better than her body pressed against mine, knowing she was safe, knowing she was mine.
My thoughts turned to my mom and what fresh hell she was experiencing. I’d been an asshole and I’d had to live with the fact I only called her once a month because, ultimately, she’d want to talk about Stella, and I couldn’t deal with the sadness.
Hers or mine.
I didn’t want to remember Stella’s birthday. Or the anniversary of her death. Or how much she loved pecan fuckin’ praline ice cream. I didn’t want to remember any of it. I wanted it all to fuckin’ fade away until the pain of her loss stopped.
I wanted it all to fuckin’ fade away until the rage stopped. Until the need to kill my oldest friend faded along with the anger. I wanted it all to fuckin’ fade away until I no longer felt her. Dreamed of her. Missed her.
I couldn’t sleep so when we started our descent, I gently shook Violet awake and made sure she was buckled in. She was always groggy and slow when she first woke up and the fact she was on a plane didn’t make any difference.
She rubbed her face as she yawned, then continued to open and close her mouth in an effort to pop her ears. “I need to pee.”
“You better go quick,” I said, and she unbuckled and walked to the back of the plane.
While she was gone, I rummaged in my backpack for gum, pulling a piece out for her before shoving the bag back under the seat.
She slid back into our row and took the gum, buckling herself back in, then leaning against me again. “Did you sleep?”
I shook my head, wrapping an arm around her. She didn’t comment. Didn’t chastise. Just slid her hand to my thigh and squeezed gently.
Total support. Unconditional love. All mine.
Once we were on the ground, I grabbed our bags and followed Violet off the plane, heading out to arrivals where Hatch was leaning against some fancy-ass Mercedes, giving us a chin lift when he saw us and smiling.
