AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His eyes sweep down my body and then back up. I’m about to ask again what the hell he needs because I’m not about to stand here another moment for him to size me up, but he finally asks, “If my final destination was Austin, do I have to return to Dallas?” His monotone voice matches the humdrum of his appearance.
I swallow. He won’t like my answer. He already looks to be on the verge of destroying something with his hands clenched in his lap. Or someone.
“That’s a question for customer service. I’m positive they’ll have agents able to assist you as soon as you exit the plane.”
“Are you new? Why don’t you know the answer?”
No asshole. I know the answer, but you’re not going to like it.
I plaster on a fake smile. “Things change by the minute in these circumstances. So, rather than tell you one thing that might not be true, it’s best to find out from the people who know for certain.” With that, I spin around and put as much distance in this small tube from him as possible. Ari can take care of her own section from now on.
I quiver with a chill when I sit back down.
“What?” Ari asks.
“That guy was creepy. Did you see him?”
“Hmm. I don’t think so. But now I want to go check him out.” She gets up and is gone before I can stop her. Within a couple minutes, she’s back. “Um. Yeah. He could totally be Lurch from the Addams Family.” We both laugh.
As expected, all the flights into Dallas-Fort Worth are suspended for the night. We’re stuck too. Thankfully, I’m working the galley, so I don’t have to see everyone and their sour faces.
“Hey, Kali, can you grab me a water?” Jay asks from the cockpit.
I lean over to grab a can and hand it over.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
My hand freezes mid-air. The pilot tilts his head as I stop short, and he has to reach a little farther to grab the can. “Thanks?”
Ignoring his questioning gaze, I spin around, my heart seizing in my chest as I search for the source of the noise. It can’t be him. Right? People continue to deplane one by one. Nobody stands to the side, waiting to see my reaction. But did he ever? Wait? No, he did it knowing he would get my attention.
“Did you hear that knocking?” I ask Ari, hoping it was my imagination, or her making the noise.
“Yeah.” She rolls her eyes. “Either a pissed-off passenger or a superstitious one.” She laughs. “I didn’t see who did it, though. Are you okay? You look pale.”
I’m being ridiculous. It can’t be him. He’s not the only one in this world to do things in threes. She’s right. It’s probably just someone taking their frustrations out on the plane.
I nod, taking in a few deep breaths, leaning against the station, giving air a chance to move to my brain so I don’t pass out. Waving her off, I say, “I just think the humidity is getting to me already.”
Her impeccably shaped brows arch upward. “Aren’t you from Texas? Speaking of, let’s make the most of it and go out tonight. Find me one of these Texas cowboys.”
I emit a strangled laugh. “As much as I’d love to see you on a mechanical bull, I’m hanging out in the room tonight. I’m exhausted.” I’ve only been in Austin for fifteen minutes, and a sense of panic is already settling in. Even after two years, just the mere thought of being here does something to my psyche. It’s a bad vibe. The faster I can leave this place, the better.
She wrinkles her nose at me, confused. The last year and a half, we have been on a million adventures together, exploring new cities, the nightlife, the people, the food—that’s why I took this job. Despite me not looking for hookups for myself, I make a great wingman for her.
But not here.
The air is suffocating me already.
“Fine. Mac and I will have a great time without you.” Her attempt to make me feel left out is nothing but a relief.
“Just be careful.”
“Always.”
The shrill of the alarm blares, tearing through the early morning darkness. I fumble around until I find my phone, somewhere between the comforter and the sheet down at my feet. How the hell did it get down there? Still pitch-black outside, I groan as I roll out of bed. Not hearing Ari’s alarm, I knock on our connecting door before opening it. We always get connecting rooms and keep it unlocked in case either of us needs something.
Her room is quiet and dark. “Hey, party girl, it’s time to get up. Just remember, this is your fault,” I taunt, dragging my feet across the floor to flick on the bedside lamp. In an instant, I’m jolted awake, staring at the perfectly made king bed. Ari’s overnight bag lies open, its contents scattered across the bed, while her uniform hangs untouched on the outside of the closet. It remains in the exact spot it was when we talked about the places to hit on Sixth Street before she left.
