Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“Birdie?” she deadpans.
“That’s what you took out of that conversation?”
She glares at me as she sits up. She pulls the sweater back to a normal configuration and runs a hand through her hair. I reach over to tuck a flyaway behind her ear, but she swats at my hand.
“Tell me that you have business in the Bahamas,” she says.
“Okay. I have business in the Bahamas.”
I chuckle at her reaction. At least I’m amused.
“Flight attendants and crew, please prepare for departure.”
She sighs. “I take it that it’s too late to get off this plane?”
“I’m fairly certain it’s a felony. Also, you have no parachute, and that traditionally doesn’t work well unless you’re D.B. Cooper. Even if you just kinda fall from here, it’s a long drop to the ground. Planes are really tall.”
She stares at me like she’s still adjusting to this situation. Lip between her teeth, narrowed eyes, shallow breath. She really is surprised to see me.
I stretch my legs out and try not to disturb the person sitting in front of me. “I’ve also watched Banks jump off the hood of a car and break his shoulder. While I’m no aerospace expert or anything, I’m pretty sure this would be worse.”
“Depends on what kind of outcome you’re looking for.” She takes a deep breath, appearing to gather her wits, and then looks at me dead-on. “Why are you here? Cut the crap.”
“I happened to win a contest—a very competitive contest from what I’ve heard. Naturally, I won.”
Her eyes search mine. “At the gas station—you knew about this already, didn’t you?”
I grin.
“Oof.” She sits back in her seat as the plane turns onto the runway, picking up speed. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Why didn’t you say something? I’m a little offended that you didn’t even give me a heads-up, and I had to hear about this from Banks, of all people. Do you know how humiliating that was?”
“Too bad. I’m offended that you didn’t tell me you knew. Talk about humiliating.”
“Guess we’re just two offended, humiliated people then, aren’t we?”
She tries not to smile. She also fails. “I hate you sometimes.”
“There’s a fine line between love and hate. Gotta keep the balance.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and tugs her sweater around her. “I guess I better get over it, huh? You’re here. There’s nothing I can do about it now.”
Oh. You want to play that game? Let’s play.
“Hey, if you don’t want me here, I’ll find a desk when we land and get a ticket home. I’ll never leave the airport,” I say. “Just say the word, and I’m gone.”
I’ve called her out—called her bluff. Will she play or fold?
Ashley focuses on her phone. She never swipes, so I know she’s not reading anything. She must be thinking. I grab a magazine out of the seatback in front of me and flip through it like I give a shit about SkyBlue’s new routes.
Rebecca said to give her some time, that Ashley would be reluctant—her words, not mine—when she saw me. “But this is what she wants, Maddox. She wants you there. She needs you there. We’re her best friends. We know. Trust us.”
I’m trusting you guys. Not sure it’s going well.
Finally, after what feels like forever, she sighs and sets her phone on her lap. She looks at me, resolved.
“What?” I ask.
“Truth?”
“Always.”
The corner of her lip quirks up. “I had a very specific idea about what this trip was going to be. And now that you’re here, I’m not sure what to do. Okay?”
What does that mean?
Before I can ask her, the pilot comes over the intercom.
“Good afternoon, passengers. This is your captain speaking. First, I’d like to welcome everyone on SkyBlue Flight 1868. We’re currently cruising at—”
“Can I get you two a drink?” The stewardess stands to my right.
I turn to my left. “Ash?”
“Can I order alcohol yet?” she asks.
The stewardess nods.
Ashley gives me a lingering look before sighing. “Forget it. I need to stay sober for this conversation. I’ll have a Coke, please. Thank you.”
“Same,” I say, giving the attendant a grin. Once she’s gone, I turn back to Ashley. “So what’s the problem? How did I screw up your plan?”
She bites her bottom lip. Her cheeks turn a rosy pink. “You just did.”
“Nope. Not a good enough answer.”
“Maddox.”
I spot the stewardess with the drinks, so I pull my tray up and out of the armrest. Ashley watches me and copies my movements.
“Here you are.” The Cokes are handed to me. “I’ll be back with a snack shortly.”
“Thank you,” I say.
I set Ashley’s drink on her tray. She lifts it immediately and takes a long drink.
“This is going to be a long, awkward trip if you don’t talk to me,” I say.
She takes a slow breath and blows it out even slower. When she’s done with her calming routine or whatever it is, she twists as much as she can in her seat and faces me.