ESTE
Driving up the mountain is no less terrifying when the weather is nice. Though it is better with Nico sitting beside me, even if he is leaning forward and gripping the dash while trying to fight a look of terror.
He refused to tell me where we were going, but he directed me to turn off before we got to the cabin, so my dream of a soak in his massive tub and an orgasm or two in front of the fire is well and truly dashed.
“Turn right here.” He’s trying to sound calm, at least.
We both take a relieved breath when I turn onto an actual road. Thank god.
“Good news,” I say, and I feel his gaze land on me when he turns.
“Hmm?”
“You won’t have to worry about being a passenger when your arm is better, because I am never going to willingly drive up here if you’re capable of getting behind the wheel.”
Nico leans back in his seat and squeezes my shoulder. “You’re doing great, baby. The turn is just up ahead.”
I see the sign, but it’s not until I actually turn onto the road that I can make out the curly white script.
Blue Moon Meadows
The resort Rora was talking about at the weekend.
I bring the Jeep to a stop and turn to face Nico, my heart thudding against my ribcage. “What are we doing here?”
“Just hear me out, angel.”
“Why did you bring me here, Nico?” I hear my voice rising, even if I don’t mean for it to happen. I bury my head in my hands and groan. There’s no doubt he means well, but this isn’t what I expected when he said he wanted to go somewhere today.
“Baby.” Nico pulls my hands from my face, holding them the best he can with his one good one. “We’re just here to look. That’s it.”
“What?” I ask warily.
“You haven’t been anywhere near a plane since the crash, right?” I shake my head. “Exactly. And the longer you leave it, the more you’re going to build it up in your head. So, all we need to do is look at a plane. You don’t even have to get out of the car if you’re not ready. This is just the first step.”
I swallow. What he’s saying makes sense, and I know, logically, there’s no harm in just looking at an airplane. I also know that if he’d warned me ahead of time that this is where we were going, he would’ve had to carry me to the car.
“Just looking?”
Nico nods, running his thumb over the back of my hand. “And I’ll be right here beside you the whole time.”
Right here beside me. In the passenger seat, alive,because even though he swore he’d never let anyone drive him, he did.
“What if I freak out and I can’t drive us home?”
“I talked to Ari yesterday and explained everything. They’re happy to drive us home if you can’t.” This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. He really thought it through. He must’ve gotten Ari’s details from Rora, then called and had a conversation with a complete stranger. For me.
“Okay. I can look.”
I’m sure the resort is beautiful, but I don’t see it as I follow Nico’s instructions down the long road and around the main building. I focus on his voice, and on forcing air into my lungs, and trying not to crash the car when we finally round the bend that brings the hangar into view. There are two small planes inside, not dissimilar to the one Pops had when I was younger. The one I learned to fly in.
“Ari said we can just pull up wherever you’re comfortable, angel.”
I nod, inching forward slowly, then turning so we’re facing the hangar directly. I cut the engine and pull out the keys so I’m less likely to tear out of here if I get scared.
“Okay?” Nico asks.
I don’t answer right away, instead reaching for his hand. He slides his palm against mine, and I draw in a deep breath. “Yeah.”
