“You don’t fly?”
“I fly,” Memphis hedges.
“Do you have to work?” I’m not understanding.
“It’s expensive to fly.” Oswald wraps his hand over mine.
“Oh, well, I said if you played, I would be there, so…would you care to join me, Memphis, Bates? I hate traveling alone.” That’s not the absolute truth. I don’t love traveling alone, but I don’t hate it. I would, however, hate them not being with me.
Oswald grabs my face and kisses me hard and fast. It’s filled with gratitude and appreciation, but my breath still quickens. He pulls back just enough that I open my eyes to stare into his.
“I don’t know what we did to deserve you, but I… Fuck, you’re amazing. Don’t worry about him. I’ll convince him, and as soon as I get my first check, I will pay you back for everything,” he promises.
When Oswald flops back into his own seat next to me, I glance up. Memphis is scowling, and he actually looks kind of mad, which makes me a tiny bit nervous. “You don’t have to go,” I offer, even though I really want him to.
“Will you still go if I don’t?” His words are sharp.
“Yes,” I answer truthfully.
“I’ll put the ticket on my card.”
“Memphis, all I have to do is make a call. There are no tickets to put on a card.”
“No tickets?” he questions in confusion.
“No tickets, and nothing to pay back.” There are many things I take for granted, and I’m realizing this is one. I’ve never flown commercial in my life.
“Waylynn…” Oswald says slowly. “Don’t tell me you have a private plane on standby.” He chuckles like what he’s saying is absurd.
“It’s notminepersonally,” I hedge.
Memphis brings his hand up and covers his mouth, then pulls down on his chin, while Oswald gapes at me. “That is some next-level shit, baby. How rich are you?”
“Oz!” Bates chastises.
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just, you seem so normal,” Oswald defends.
Now it’s my turn to be shocked. “Being wealthy makes me not normal?” I question, trying not to overanalyze his word choice, but my voice is weak, even to my own ears.
“No,” Memphis answers for his brother.
“I just… I don’t know, baby, that one caught me off guard.”
“Should I request Friday off, or are you going later in the day?” Bates takes it all in stride, and I’m so grateful for it.
“We can go whenever. You have to work, right?” I include Memphis, because I want him to come. I want him towantto come.
“Yeah,” Memphis answers gruffly without commenting if he’s going to join us or not.
“Man, I’m jealous. I wish I could fly out with you guys.” Oswald seems to be coming around.
“You could,” I offer.
“The team won’t allow it. Not even for the flight back,” he says dejectedly.
“Oh, that stinks. We can go somewhere when the season is over if you want,” I tell him.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Memphis announces, then stands up and walks out of the room.
