“Can you both just fuck off?” I ask them. “I’m tired and when I get back, I have to go and get the kids. Which will mean it’ll be noisy until tonight when I put them to bed.”
The door of the plane closes and the announcement comes on, telling us to stow our belongings because we are taking off. I put my iPad in the seat pocket in front of me and buckle my seat belt as the plane starts moving down the runway. “I want to talk to you about something,” Jaxon says when we are in the air and the flight attendant comes around to take our drink order, as well as if we want chicken or beef.
“No,” I say right away, and he snorts.
“I’m serious,” he tries again, turning and putting his back against the armrest.
“So am I,” I retort and stop talking when the flight attendant hands me a ginger ale and hands Jaxon a glass of sparkling water. I take a sip. “Something just hits with having ginger ale in the airplane.”
Jaxon rolls his eyes at me. “Good to know,” he huffs out. “Anyway, before you say no, I want you to seriously think about it.”
“Are you going to ask me to babysit?” I take another sip of my ginger ale before looking back at him.
“Are you crazy?” His eyebrows are pinched together. “You think I’d leave Jagger with you?’’
“Okay, I’m insulted.” I point at him. “I’m a single father to three kids. You think I’ve never handled a baby before?”
“Okay, fine, you can babysit Jagger,” he retorts. “There, are you happy?”
“I don’t want to babysit.” I know I’m fucking with him, but I also know whatever he wants to ask me isn’t going to be good because instead of just asking, he’s beating around the bush with it.
“Fine, don’t fucking babysit,” he hisses. “Now, can I ask you what I want to ask you?”
“If I say no, will you shut up?” I ask him as the flight attendant comes over and hands us each our plates.
“Not really,” he answers honestly, “but I want you to have an open mind, and I don’t need an answer now.”
“Oh God, do you need a kidney?” I huff out. “Not going to lie, man, I kind of need all my organs in case my kids need them.”
“I don’t need your fucking kidney,” he says, and I swear to God I see steam coming out of his ears. “Now quit fucking with me.”
“Oh, you got that I was fucking with you?” I ask him and he glares as he cuts a piece of chicken.
“So anyway, I told Ariella I would ask this,” he starts, and I immediately groan. “Hear me out.”
“I don’t want to,” I tell him, cutting my own piece of chicken. “Go ask Kirby.”
“I can’t ask Kirby.” He chuckles. “I like Lexi.”
“I knew it.” I put my head back. “You are trying to set me up with someone.”
“Who is it?” Kirby asks from the middle of the seat.
“Were you listening to this conversation the whole time?” Jaxon asks him.
“I’m pretty sure the whole fucking plane heard you two going at it over babysitting and him not giving you a kidney.” Kirby looks at me. “Also, some friend you are.” I lift my hand. “You hit my chair one more time, I’m going to let the other team cross-check you for five straight games.”
“I can defend myself,” I retort, even though it helps that he has my back on the ice.
“Anyway,” Jaxon says, “Ariella wants to set you up with someone she met at one of her jobs.”
“No,” I immediately say. “I’m good, but thanks.”
“Why not?” Kirby asks and I glare at him, sticking my fork in one of the carrots.
“Because I don’t want to go on a blind date,” I tell him. “I don’t want to go on any dates with anyone.” My head immediately chants Liar. “I’m barely single.”
“It’s been close to six months,” Kirby points out. “A half of a year.”
