Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Looks like they got seats.
For the love of…
I walk to the counter.
“Good afternoon, sir,” the young man at the counter says. “What can I help you with?”
“My friends just got upgraded to first-class seating. I’d like to do the same.”
He taps on his computer. Then he frowns. “I’m sorry, sir, but those two got the last two seats available.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m afraid not, sir.” He peers at the screen again. “We do have one first-class passenger who’s checked in but hasn’t arrived yet. Once everyone else is on board, if he hasn’t arrived when we’re ready to close the doors, you can get the seat then.” He taps his computer again.
A passenger comes running, racing toward the gate. He holds his phone to the reader and gets on the plane.
My heart sinks to my feet. “Don’t tell me. That was him.”
“I’m afraid so. I can offer you a seat closer to the first-class cabin.”
“Would it be any better than the seat I’m in?”
He types some more and then wrinkles his nose. “No. In fact, I’d advise you to keep your current seat. It’s on the aisle, and you’re obviously very tall. You’ll be more comfortable with a little more room to stretch out your legs.”
“Yeah. Got it.” I sigh, grab my carry-on, and stand near the gate to wait for my section to be called.
Sometimes pride has its downfall.
The rest of my party will be in lie-back seats, enjoying the flight with gourmet food, free booze, and the ability to sleep.
Jesus Fuck.
Two more groups of passengers board before my group is called.
The only consolation is that I board through a different door on the airplane, so I don’t have to walk past the rest of my group as I head to my seat in steerage.
I find my aisle seat. The plane has rows of three seats, four seats, and then three more seats. My seat is on the end of a row of the middle four, and the rest of the row is occupied by three college-aged girls. They’re already laughing and squealing about how much they’re going to drink on the plane.
Dear Lord, kill me now.
I arrange my carry-on in the overhead compartment and take my seat, fastening my seat belt.
“Hi there,” the girl sitting next to me says. “I’m Lexi. This is Barb and Chris.”
I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“What’s your name?”
“Jesse.”
“It’s great to meet you.” She giggles. “Isn’t this exciting? Going to London?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you going to London for?”
“A concert.”
Lexi drops her mouth open. “Really? Us too! We’re going to see Ed Sheeran. Are you going to see him too?”
“No. I’m actually performing in a concert.”
“Are you in a band?”
“Yeah.”
Her eyes widen. “Where are you playing?”
“We’re opening for Emerald Phoenix in London and then going on tour with them.”
Lexi gasps. “Emerald Phoenix? I love them! Maybe we can get tickets.”
“They’re sold out,” I say.
“Oh my God.” She gestures to the others. “Do you hear that? Jesse here’s a rock star.”
I chuckle softly. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Are you kidding me? If you’re opening for Emerald Phoe—”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a voice over the speaker says, “please take a look at your monitors for our safety video.”
Thank God. I stick my AirPods in my ears and glue my gaze to the monitor on the back of the seat in front of me.
Headphones. The universal symbol for leave me alone.
I hope Lexi and her friends understand that.
The plane begins taxiing toward the runway as the video begins.
I close my eyes.
This is a new form of hell.
Chapter Nineteen
Brianna
I couldn’t help noticing at the gate that Jesse’s not wearing his belt buckle.
I also couldn’t help noticing that Jake and Cage are here in first class with us.
And Jesse’s not.
Maddie and I are next to each other, and these are cushy seats. A menu is in the pocket, detailing our dinner and breakfast choices plus specialty cocktails.
No Peach Street bourbon, but I’ll make do.
Maddie has a smile on her face, a giddy smile. I’m happy. Happy that I could do this for her.
“Are you reading this cocktail menu, Bree?” She giggles. “Mile-high margarita, aviator’s old-fashioned, winged sunset. That one sounds delish. Rum with passionfruit and pineapple juices. Or maybe the first-class fizz. This is the only time I’ll be in first class. I want the whole experience!”
I smile. I’ll be having Buffalo Trace. Fruity cocktails don’t do much for me, but Donny will be in his element with the mile-high margarita. This will be a trip we’ll all remember.
Not for the reasons I want to remember it—meaning Jesse and me—but it will still be wonderful. I’ll be with my brother for the first couple of weeks, and then with Brock and Maddie for the rest.
I may not even go to any of the concerts.
Except I already know I will. Brock and Maddie will go, so I’ll go too. We have front-row seats reserved for all of them.