I rechecked my schedule again. I had completely forgotten I picked up the extra three-day trip. I could’ve kicked myself for offering to help out Xander. He was a good guy though, so I knew I did the right thing and I couldn’t back out now. That coupled with the fact that I was going to be flying with Jax helped make it a little less painful. I was thankful that at least it was a series of night trips, so I’d be able to sleep-in over the next few days.

When I was 31 I got hired as a commercial pilot with Easy Rider Airlines. Officially I was a first officer, and had been for about two years now. Flying had always been in my blood. I came from a long line of military pilots. In fact, I started out my flying career with the military and flew KC-135’s. KC-135’s are basically mobile gas stations that refuel other planes midair. So, that’s what I did. I flew the gas station in the sky. I was still currently employed with them, but it had become strictly a part-time gig and now I only flew with them a couple times per month.

I loved that job when I did it full-time, though. It allowed me to really get out and see the world. When I think back to the days when military flying was all I did, it makes me think of Ella again. Which, to be honest, I’d been doing a lot of lately. She’s definitely the one who got away.

Hot, little Italian with the hot, Italian temper to match. She used to hate when I deployed. But then I always made it up to her when I came home and she always gave me something to look forward to coming home to.

Except the last time.

It had been seven years since I found that letter, two years longer than we had even been together. I wondered if I’d ever get over losing her. She made her decision, though, and ever since I’ve had to live with it. It was way past time to move on with my life. And I had. Mostly. But even still, she never seemed to be far from my thoughts.

I shook my head to clear it and refocused my attention on the task at hand as I finished packing my bag for my trip.

I took one last look around my condo as I continued my walk out the door. Overall, I was pleased with how it looked and I loved the modern feel and upscale furniture my decorator had put together for me; I only wished I could spend more time enjoying it. Having a condo was best for my lifestyle, though. I didn’t have to worry about the upkeep of a yard or anything else outside and, considering how little time I spent in town, it made life a lot easier.

I was almost never home these days. That’s probably why I had mastered the art of being single. The thought of meeting someone that could be anything more than a casual hook-up at this rate was a completely foreign idea, which was ok by me. I wasn’t looking to go down the serious relationship road again.

I locked up and walked out to my Tundra. I loved my truck. I didn’t care that it was horrible on gas. I climbed in, rolled down the windows, and cranked up the XM radio to 80’s on 8. I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel and sang along with Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” as I drove. It was mid-spring and the weather this time of year was always amazing. Upon arriving at Sky Harbor, I parked at The Parking Spot and took the shuttle to the terminal.

As I briefly mentioned earlier, I was fortunate enough to be flying with Jaxson Devine today. Jax was my best friend. In fact, that was the other reason I had felt so compelled to help Xander out. The opportunity to fly together didn’t present itself very often, so when it did we capitalized on it. Some captains were just boring to fly with. This wasn’t the case with Jax. We always had a good time. He’s been a commercial pilot for over a decade and had moved quickly up the seniority list from first officer to captain. We grew up together and had been best friends since we were in high school. We’d played tons of different sports together over the years, everything from basketball, to soccer, to golf. And we always had each other’s backs. He’s the closest thing I’d ever have to a brother.

Luckily, we were both based out of Phoenix. We hung out whenever our schedules allowed and did everything from going to the gym, to sports events and clubs together. Jax was always a great wingman and, like me, he was single and always on the hunt for a good time. A little over six feet tall, he had gray eyes, dark hair and olive skin. We both worked out hard for our muscular frames and really helped motivate and push each other to the extreme in the gym. He knew all about, and was a part of, my past with Ella. He was great at shifting my focus when he would catch me staring off into the past. This trip would be a good one for a distraction. We had three legs that ended in Vegas tonight, and four more that would end in LA tomorrow, then another three back home the following night.

I caught up with Jax at the gate before we boarded the plane.

“Ready for tonight?” he asked.

“Honestly, man, I completely forgot until today we even had this trip. I need some time on the ground at home just to regroup. I’ve been pushing myself a lot lately. I just got home yesterday from a three-day. It was supposed to be a two-day that paid premium time and then they junior assigned me and extended it an extra day. I’m thankful for the extra cash flow, but man, I had been looking forward to sleeping in my own bed for a few nights. Thankfully, after this, I’m off for six days in a row. Well, unless I decide to pick up some more premium trips,” I joked.

He shook his head at my thought process and chuckled. “I hear ya, brother. It’s hard to turn down the money, but it’s also hard to be on the road so much. This trip should be a good one though. I’m off this weekend too, so we’ll go out and paint the town red once you’re all refreshed. Anything new and exciting happen since last week?”

“Nah, too busy. Plus, the flight crews I’ve been with weren’t the type I wanted to hang out with when we arrived at our overnights these past few days. How ‘bout you?”

“Nada, but like I said this trip should be a good one. I mean, we’ve got twenty hours on the ground in Vegas. There’s gotta be something we can find there that’s new and exciting,” he wiggled his brows at his insinuation.

“Yeah, I need a little something new and exciting.” Something to make me stop thinking of her, I thought to myself as I stared off into the distance.

“Been livin’ in the past again, brother?” He looked at me knowingly.

I refocused on him. “I’m trying not to, but that seems to be where my mind tends to wander any time it’s not preoccupied with working out, flying or fucking. It must have something to do with this time of year.”

We boarded together with the crew and went through our preflight. I couldn’t wait to be on the ground again. Luckily, the time flew by and soon we were landing in Vegas. I made the announcement at the end of the flight for everyone to remain seated and thanked them for choosing Easy Rider Airlines. Once we pulled up to the gate, we did our post flight, shut the plane down for the evening and set off for the hotel.

Even though I was tired, we still had twenty hours on the ground, which was plenty of time to hit the casinos. I knew I’d rally once I showered and got changed. Jax was still game, so we made plans to meet back up in thirty minutes at one of the blackjack tables. I popped into my room, got ready, then headed back out to meet him. I sidled up to a $5 table to wait for my friend.

I’m a people watcher by nature, so while I waited, I looked around the casino at all the activity surrounding me. I could see people of all walks of life, playing slots, roulette, and the Big Wheel. Vegas was like an adult playground, a little something for everyone. All at once, I had the sensation that I was being watched.

I turned my head and caught the eye of a pretty redhead. She was tall and thin, almost too thin, but she had big bright green eyes and a shy smile, so I smiled back at her.

She tilted her head in what appeared to be an invitation, but just as I was about to wander over and introduce myself, another man walked up, slung his arm around her shoulders and glared in my direction. He may as well have lifted his leg and pissed on her as if he was marking his territory. All I could muster was a smirk and a shrug. If the guy had been taking care of business at home, I was sure she wouldn’t have even considered flirting with someone else. I was still smirking when Jax showed up.

“What’s your shit-eatin’ grin all about?” Jax asked

“I am always surprised by the amount of men who don’t take care of their woman’s needs and then get all jealous about it when another man even looks at her.” I slowly shook my head. “I would be proud to have other men look at my woman, as long as I know she’s coming home with me at the end of the night.”

“What woman?” Jax joked.

“You know what I mean, man. I never did understand the jealousy thing. I guess I’ve always been secure enough with how I treat my women to not worry that she’d be looking for someone else.”

Jax nudged my shoulder and chuckled. “Yeah, like you’ve held down a woman long enough to be worried about taking care of her long-term needs.”

“Fuck you,” I joked.

“Yep, fuck me. That’s what she kept moaning last night. So, are we gonna play some blackjack or what?” He arched an eyebrow at me and nodded in the direction of the tables.

“We’re gonna play the hell out of some blackjack. I’m gonna make it my new bitch,” I laughed.

* * *

As soon as we joined the table a waitress came over to get our drink order, rum and water for me and vodka and water for Jax. One of the great things about Vegas was the drinks were free and brought continually as long as you were playing the tables. The downfall was they tended to get weaker as the night went on. After about an hour or so we were both up over $200 apiece and decided to cash out.

I looked at Jax, “Where to now?”

“Let’s go to a club.” Jax gestured to where we had entered the hotel. “According to that spicy little concierge from earlier, The Purple Tiger just opened and is supposed to be pretty hoppin’.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I nodded back.