Today’s going to be a day of firsts for me. First time on an airplane, first time in Las Vegas, and the first time I’ve ever gone away on a trip or mini vacation.
“You all packed?” Molly asks, eyeing my open suitcase on the bed.
“Not even close. What the hell do you pack for a trip?”
“Clothes, toiletries, cell phone charger, condoms.” I whip my head around and she laughs. “Lighten up, Say. Did he tell you the wardrobe?”
“He said jeans or leggings with a Baxter’s T-shirt was fine. I’m out of my element here.”
“Okay, so normal everyday jeans and T-shirts are fine while you’re there. For the event, I say a Baxter’s T-shirt, your holey jeans, you know the one’s I keep threatening to steal? And a pair of black heels. Casual, yet sexy.”
I think about it. “Okay, I like that,” I admit. “Rhett said he would bring the Baxter’s T-shirts so—” I look around and take count of what I have packed. “—I think I’m good,” I say, tossing in a pair of black high heels.
“As for the flight, you need to be comfortable. What you have on is perfect.”
I look down at my leggings and my Ohio State Buckeyes long-sleeve T-shirt. “You sure?”
“Yes, and I would wear your Chucks, easy on and off for airport security.”
“I’m a nervous wreck.”
“It’s going to be fine. Takeoff and landing are the worst parts. Once you’re in the air, you can’t even tell. Besides, you have Rhett to distract you.” She wags her eyebrows.
“Stop it,” I say, laughing.
“You still owe me some details,” she says, lying down on the bed.
I zip up my suitcase and place it on the floor before lying down beside her. “At first we didn’t get along, you know? I mean, he would say something crude, and I would volley back with my own insult. I wouldn’t say I hated him, more like I hated the idea of him. He’s cocky and sexy and his eyes… I love his eyes,” I say wistfully.
“He does have killer eyes,” she agrees. “But I know there is more you’re not telling me.”
“On Christmas Eve, we kind of had a moment or two,” I admit.
“Go on.” She nudges me with her elbow.
I proceed to tell her what happened while she was off getting engaged, then again that night, when he came to me and listened and held me. “Then there was the kiss.”
“Keep going,” she urges. “You can’t stop there.”
I laugh. “New Year’s Eve at the bar, I took my drink to the back hall. I was going to go to the office for just a minute, you know celebrate alone, not like I had someone to kiss. I was feeling a little down and just needed a minute. Rhett followed me, turned me to him, and kissed me.”
“That’s hot,” Molly says. “So, are you two together?”
“No, I mean, he kissed my forehead when he came here to ask me to go with him, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“He’s been at the bar every night—” she says, and I cut her off.
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“Let me finish.” She grins. “He’s been at the bar every night you’re working. He doesn’t come in if you’re not there.”
“Really?”
She nods. “Yep. So that tells me he’s interested.”
“Molly… ” I close my eyes, not able to look at her when I tell her what’s in my head. “I have nothing to offer him. I don’t even really know who I am, who my parents where. I’m floating through life, just being me, not really knowing who me is.”
“Saylor.” She rolls over and leans up on her elbow. “You are Saylor Keller. You’re smart, beautiful, and you’ve been dealt a few bad hands in life. I don’t know all the details of your past, but I know they don’t define you. You make your life what you want it to be. You make your choices. You have everything to offer him. You have you, Saylor, and that’s more than enough. It’s always enough. If ever it isn’t, you know it’s time to move on.”
“I’ve never felt like I was enough. Not for my foster families—well, until Elaine—not with Pete, not even with Tara. Elaine, you, and Jake. The three of you are the only people who have never tried to change me.”
“Rhett,” she says confidently. “From the way he looks at you and the sparks that fly when the two of you are in the same room, you can add him to that short list.”
“He just wants in my pants.”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “Actually, probably is more like it. He’s not stupid; he knows a good thing when he sees it. However, he’s already been in your bed, and did he make a move?”
“No. No, he didn’t. So you see, you’re wrong. He was just being nice.”
“He was being a gentleman. He held you all night, Saylor. No man is going to do that for just a piece of ass.”
A loud knock sounds at the door. “Shit, he’s here.”
“Saylor.” She grabs my hand before I can slide off the bed. “Your parents, Elaine, they would want more for you. They would want you to live a full, happy life. Don’t be afraid to do that. I know in your eyes people leave—”
“How do you?”
“I’ve only known you a few months, but I know you. I know in the past people left, but your parents and Elaine, they didn’t leave you by choice. Life took them. It’s a shitty hand to have been dealt, but you can live for them. Be happy for them, Say.”
Another knock.
“I’ll get it. I’ll keep him occupied until you’re ready. She slides off the bed, comes to my side, and gives me a big hug. “Have fun, Say. Let me know when you make it there, so I don’t worry.”
“O-okay,” I say, choking back tears. I close my eyes and focus on breathing. I know I don’t have a lot of time until we need to get to the airport. Inhale, slowly exhale. Opening my eyes, I steel my emotions and take one more mental inventory of what I’ve packed, making sure I didn’t forget anything. Then I grab my suitcase and head to the living room.
Rhett’s eyes snap to mine as soon as I open the door. His smile lights up his face. “Saylor.”
“Hey, Whiskey.” I wheel my luggage to where they’re standing. “You sure about this?”
“Positive,” he says immediately. “You ready to go?”
“Yeah, this is it.” I look down at my small suitcase.
“You never cease to amaze me, Short Stack.” He chuckles.
“What did I do?” I ask, very aware that Molly is standing beside me soaking up our conversation, our interaction, like a sponge.
“You’re refreshing, Saylor. You’re a fucking breath of fresh air.” He grabs my bag. “I’ll take this out to the truck.”
We stand there and watch him leave. “Oh, honey,” Molly says. “You’ve got that man all kinds of twisted.”
“Let’s go, crazy girl. I’m already nervous about flying. I don’t need to add rushing through the airport to the list.” She laughs and follows me out the door.
The ride to the airport is quiet. Rhett and I make small talk. I ask how his Grandpa is and his parents; otherwise we’re both quiet. Not uncomfortably so, but quiet all the same. Rhett parks in long-term parking and hops out. He has both of our bags, his thrown over his shoulder and pulling mine. He holds his hand out for me, and I take it, needing the connection to hopefully calm my nerves.
I let him lead me into the busy airport. I don’t say a word, just let him guide me to where we need to be. Rhett hands me a ticket once we reach security. I follow the motions, taking off my shoes, while Rhett does the same, placing our bags on the conveyor belt. Luckily, we make it through security without incident. I release a deep sigh once we’re both through and cleared.
“You okay, Short Stack?” he asks, holding his hand out for me.
I take it. “Yeah, just nervous, I guess.”
He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “You want a drink before we board?”
“No, actually, I was hoping to find a restroom. I don’t want to have to use the restroom on the plane.”
He nods. Two minutes later, we’re standing outside of the bathrooms. “I’ll be right here waiting for you,” he says.
Pulling out of his hold, I rush inside and take care of business. Looking at my refection, I’m shocked at what I see. You can tell I’m a little nervous, but my eyes are bright. I admit, I’m equal parts nervous and excited, and it shows. I find Rhett right where he said he would be, waiting for me. He doesn’t say anything, just holds his hand out for mine. I take it, and we continue on to our gate.
“We’re first class,” he says, taking a seat in the waiting area outside our gate. “That means we get to board first, and we’re the first off the plane.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“First on, not so much, I guess. First off, I think you’ll enjoy,” he says.
“I’m thinking you’re right.”
“There’s not a direct flight, so we’ll have to do this all over again.”
“Ugh!” I say, plopping down in the seat next to him. “You failed to tell me that.”
“I admit. I was afraid you would back out.”
“I wouldn’t have, but I would have stressed over it, so you made a good call.”
“Good to know.” He leans back against his seat. “We should be boarding in thirty minutes or so. You need anything?”
“No, thanks. I’m good. My belly is too nervous.”
Reaching over, he rests his hand on my knee. “It’s going to be fine, Say. I promise.”
“You can’t promise me that.”
“You’re right, I can’t. What I can promise is that I’ll be there the entire time. I won’t leave your side.”
I nod. Sometimes, with the things he says, it’s hard to ever remember asshole Rhett, the guy I used to throw barbs with. He’s been showing up less and less. I have to admit, I like this version a whole hell of a lot.
Pulling out my phone to distract me from the flight and from Rhett, I send Molly a text.
Me: Waiting to board. Apparently I have to do this again before Vegas!
Molly: LOL. Not many direct flights from where we live.
Me: You could have warned me.
Molly: #sorrynotsorry Love you. Have fun!
Me: You too.
I don’t say I love you. I’ve only said it to one person, Elaine, and that wasn’t while she was alive. Regrets, I have them in spades for that alone. I know that she knew, but I should have told her. Whispering it to her grave isn’t the same thing. “You too” is all I’ve ever been able to convey. Molly is a great friend. I know it’s only been a few months, but she’s become a very important person so me. I tried to call Tara on New Year’s Day. She hadn’t responded to any of my texts. She didn’t answer, and I didn’t leave a message. Her silence tells me all I need to know.
“Saylor,” Rhett says. Looking up, I see him standing. He reaches out for my hand. “It’s time to board.”
I let him pull me to my feet and follow him to the line. We flash our tickets and then walk down a long hallway. As soon as we pass the flight attendant, my anxiety peaks.
“You want the window or the aisle?” Rhett asks me as he steps into the first row of the plane.
“I don’t know,” I confess.
“Let’s go window. We can shut the shade, so you don’t have to look unless you want to.”
“Okay,” I agree meekly. I take the window seat and hurriedly pull the shade. Rhett opens the above compartment and shoves our bags inside.
“Let me help you.” He reaches over and helps fasten me in my belt, then does the same to himself.
I sit quietly, watching passenger after passenger file onto the plane. Rhett pulls his phone out of his pocket and switches it to airplane mode. He holds it up to show it to me. “I turned mine off,” I tell him. “I wasn’t sure if I should have it on, and anyone who would call me already knows I’m going to be in the air.” I gulp at the thought.
The flight attendant introduces herself and welcomes us to the flight. She goes through safety procedures, and I listen and watch, taking it all in. “Settle in and thank you for choosing our airline,” she croons with a big-ass smile. She chooses to do this on the daily. Crazy woman.
I feel the plane start to move, and I grab the arms of the seat, close my eyes, and focus on deep, even breaths.
“Saylor,” Rhett says. Slowly, I open my eyes and turn my head to look at him. His whiskey eyes darken as he leans in and cups my face with his hands. He presses his lips to mine. His tongue traces my lips, taking his time tasting me. I open for him, this time without an ounce of hesitation. His hand slides under my hair, holding me to him. He takes control, caressing my tongue with his, exploring my mouth, nipping at my bottom lip, then tracing it with his tongue. It’s the hottest kiss of my life. On a fucking airplane. Suddenly, I pull back, and his eyes are hooded. I watch as his tongue darts out and swipes across his bottom lip, as if he’s trying to get more of me. “We’re in the air, babe,” he says.
“You’re good,” I tell him. I didn’t notice takeoff at all. Nothing past the second his lips touched mine.
“I’ve got you, Saylor. Always,” he says cryptically. “So, you want to look out?”
“Yeah, I think so.” Just then, the light goes off, letting us know we can take our belts off. Rhett unbuckles his and leans over, lifting the shade just a little.
“Take a look,” he says, pointing to the now partially uncovered window.
“Wow,” I say, seeing the clouds below us. “That’s amazing.” I turn to him with a smile.
He’s watching me. “It is,” he agrees. “If you could go anywhere, where would it be?”
“Hawaii,” I say automatically. “That’s where my parents took their honeymoon. Elaine said they saved for a long time to be able to go for just a short three days. I’ve wanted to go there ever since.”
Reaching out he grabs my hand and pulls it to his lips.
Turning back around, I feel unsettled, but not from the flight. I lift the shade completely and take in the scenery below. This flying thing isn’t so bad after all. Not when you fly with Rhett Baxter.