I step down beside him, grinning in amusement. “Anyone would think you haven’t flown before.”
“I haven’t.” He rubs at his temples, shivering from the cold winter air. “That was a first for me.”
“Your first time in a helicopter? I gathered that.”
“No, my first time flying ever.”
I frown. How is that possible? Even without leaving the states, most places require a flight unless you want to spend several days in a car. “Really?”
“Really,” he mutters. “Not all of us were born with silver spoons in our mouths. Flying is expensive.”
It’s silly. I knew Neo grew up in a different world from mine, but it’s not until this moment that I realizehowdifferent. Just how much of the stuff I take for granted is new for him?
He groans, rubbing at his stomach. “When will the nausea stop?”
I type out a quick text to the pilot, who hops out of the fuselage to do my bidding. “Soon.”
A few moments later, the pilot returns, passing me a brown bag. I nod in thanks before crouching down next to Neo. “Here.”
“What’s this?”
“Dramamine and ginger ale,” I say, my voice clipped. “It should help.”
“You got this for me?”
“Technically, Johnson did.” I open the bag when he doesn’t take it from me, shaking a pill out of the tube. “Open up.”
Neo does as I ask. For someone who strives to annoy me, he sure does like to follow my orders when it suits him.
My monster loves it; the blend of brattiness and submission that shouldn’t be so appealing.
But fuck, it really is. It has me wanting to see how far I can push him before he pushes back.
I wait until he’s drunk half the ginger ale. “Feeling better?”
He nods, some of the color returning to his cheeks. “Yeah. Thank you.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Fuck yes. You’re not getting out of this that easily.”
“That’s not why I was asking.” I straighten, extending a hand to him. “I don’t want you pushing yourself if you’re not feeling up to it.”
“I’m fine.” The strange feeling is back in my chest as he allows me to pull him from the ground. “Where are we going, anyway? I hope it’s nowhere fancy. They won’t let me in.”
I turn us in the direction of our destination, typing out a couple of quick messages on my phone before returning it to my pocket. There. At least I know the return journey will be smoother now, albeit much longer. I can see the guards trailing behind us, and I breathe out a sigh of relief that we’re protected here.
Not that I need them to protect Neo. I’m perfectly capable of doing so myself.
But knowing I have several sets of eyes and that I can focus on Neo instead of our surroundings? That, I’m grateful for.
It takes me a few seconds to process Neo’s words. When I do, I’m confused. “Why on earth wouldn’t they let you in?”
Neo gives me a pointed look. “Come on, Wylder, look at me.”
I do, my gaze sweeping over his Converse, ripped jeans, and t-shirt. Today’s shirt has the sloganOpen Source: No Closets. “I fail to see the issue.”
He blows out a short breath.
