Down In Flames
© 2016 Samantha Conley
All rights reserved
Chapter 1
Kristen
Something startles me awake. Maybe the plane hit some turbulence. I never thought I would fall asleep on a plane, but I’ve been working my ass off lately to be able to get a four-day weekend to fly up to Minneapolis to see Brett and the guys. I haven't seen Brett in six months, and Skype and texts just aren't cutting it anymore. I haven’t even gotten to talk to him in the past four days, with the band on tour, and me working 12-hour shifts at the hospital. If I ever decide to work five straight, 12-hour days again, someone needs to shoot me for stupidity. At least I’m not stuck in economy class and have a little room in my seat to stretch out, all thanks to the band’s manager, Brian. I’m glad that he’s helping me surprise Brett. The only thing that sucks is that my flight was delayed due to mechanical difficulties, so we took off nearly two hours late. That means I won’t get to see Brett before the concert, and I’ll more than likely miss the concert altogether. I’d texted Brian about the delay, and he said he would have a car at the airport to pick me up to take me to the venue or the hotel the band is staying at. We’ll get to stay in Minneapolis for three days before the band must leave for the next leg of their tour.
I sit here and think back to the beginning, when I met Brett and the guys for the first time. Brett and I dating, spending as much time together as we could between our schedules. I was always working at the hospital, while he worked construction for Derek’s uncle at Calloway Construction. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s been a roller coaster five years. It all fell into place when Brian Jefferies walked into the bar one weekend. Brian had only listened to the band play a couple of songs before he decided he wanted to represent them. Brian got them on satellite radio, and they became the hottest thing on the radio overnight. They started playing at different bars, opening for other bands, and gathered a huge following. Now they were on their second headlining tour with the release of their second album. Brian had them traveling all over the place promoting the new album. After Minneapolis, the guys are heading to Europe for the last leg of the tour. Man, I wish I could go with them, but with work and school, there’s no way. Maybe after I finish my current semester I could fly over for a week or two. Lord knows I have enough vacation time.
Sometimes, I wonder what the hell I was thinking, going back to school for my master’s degree, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. My dream is to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. I love working with kids, and I love my job at the children’s hospital.
I glance down and stare at the big rock sitting on my left ring finger, as the glow of the overhead light makes it sparkle. Brett proposed to me at Jake’s Bar before this tour started four months ago. I’m just so excited, thinking about our future together. I can’t wait to see him tonight.
I’m pulled from my thoughts as the pilot announces our landing, so I gather my stuff and get ready to get off this tin can. I’m glad I only packed my carry-on, so I won’t have to wait at the baggage claim. I shoot off a quick text to Brian to let him know I landed, and he suggests I go to the hotel and wait for Brett. He’s given the driver the key to the room, which is great for me. It’ll give me time to freshen up before Brett arrives.
I don’t have to wait long before the driver pulls up and whisks me away to the hotel. Pulling up, I feel out of place. I dress for comfort when I fly, so I’m in a T-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. I can see the doorman giving me a weird look as I get the key from the driver and he gives my carry-on to the bellhop that comes to the car, then off we go to the elevator. We get to the room and the bellhop puts my bag inside the door as I look around the room. Holy moly, this place is nice. Way too rich for my blood. The bellhop clears his throat and I realize he’s waiting for a tip. I dig in my pocket, but only pull out a couple of ones. “I’m so sorry,” I tell him. “It’s all the cash I have on me.
“Thank you,” he says formally and leaves the room.
Great. He probably thinks I’m cheap, but I never carry cash. Maybe I need to start.
Brian texts me to let me know that Brett should be at the hotel within the hour. I head to the bathroom to freshen up and change clothes. I brought one of the slinky dresses that Brett likes to surprise him, then I sit and wait.
I’m sitting in the chair when I hear someone outside the door, so I turn off the TV, ready to surprise him. I can hear him say something, then some female giggles. I pause. Maybe it’s not him. I mean, why would there be a girl with him? I hear fumbling with the door, like the key won’t work, but finally, the door opens and Brett walks in with his lips attached to some barely dressed blonde. Following them through the door is an even less dressed brunette with her hands all over his ass. I can hear her talking about all the things she wants to do to him. I’m completely frozen from shock.
The brunette starts to pull his shirt off and he only detaches his lips from the blonde so the shirt can go over his head. He looks at the brunette and says, “Strip and get on the bed.” She eagerly complies. He turns back to the blonde and says, “Take my dick out and suck it like a good girl.” The blonde can’t get her hands on his belt fast enough.
How long am I going to sit here and watch this? They’re so caught up in what they’re doing, they don’t even see me. I feel like I’m in a nightmare. I watch as the blonde takes his dick into her mouth. Brett groans and sways on his feet. He just keeps staring at the ceiling and moaning. I glance at the brunette and she’s buck naked with one hand on her tit and one on her pussy. Brett pulls the blonde off his dick and tells her to get on the bed too.
“Daddy,” the brunette moans. “I’ve got some more blow for us. I want you to snort it off my pussy.” She has a dreamy look on her face and it dawns on me that they’re all high as kites.
I can’t watch anymore. I spy my carry-on by the door, so I stand and make my way toward it. As I open the door, I hear one of the girls ask “Who’s that?” I glance back to see Brett look at me—look through me.
“That’s nobody,” he says.
Nobody. My heart shatters into a million pieces. I never knew my heart could hurt so badly.
I think I’m in shock. I don’t even notice my surroundings. I head out the door and quickly throw on some clothes from my bag in the hallway. Once I’m dressed, I take the elevator down and make my way through the lobby to the sidewalk. The doorman asks if I need anything.
“A cab,” I say, and he waves one down.
“Where to, Miss?”
“The airport.”
I feel like I’m moving in slow motion and I can’t think. Before I know it, I’m at the airport. Thank God, I can use my debit card to pay for the cab fare. I move to the ticket agent, and I’m so out of it, I don’t even hear her speaking to me, not until she reaches over the counter and touches my shoulder.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I need to get back to Dallas as soon as possible.” I know she can see that something’s wrong and takes pity on me. I hand her my ticket and she starts working on her computer. Luckily, there’s a flight leaving in an hour and they have a few open seats in economy. I take it and head to the gate.
Finally, I’m on the plane and headed home. But what is home anymore?