Page 1 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Ruxs

Ruxs shifted his duffel higher on his shoulder and craned his neck, glaring at the endless maze of retractable belts and travelers clogging the TSA aisles at Atlanta International like inmates lining up for processing.

He tried to calm his annoyance with the thoughts of flying first class for the first time—wider leather seats, free drinks, and the relief of not having his knees crushed into the back of the chair in front of him.

Then he had another thought.

“With as much money as Wes and Law have, they could’ve chartered a private jet for us, don’t you think?”

He turned towards Green, expecting a grunt of agreement, but his partner— standing beside him in a black hoodie and dark jeans with his carry-on in one hand—gave him a flat stare.

But Tech never missed a chance to combat a valid complaint. “I think them flying us first class, and paying for four suites at the Luxford Beverly Hotel is more than generous.”

Day gulped the last of his coffee and shot him an annoyed glare. “Shut up and be grateful I even allowed your reckless asses to come.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Ruxs glanced around at the business suits, fussy toddlers, and tired travelers shuffling forward an inch at a time.

He growled at the zigzagging line again. “Why are we waiting in line when we have first class tickets? Can’t we go to the front or something?”

Tech gave him the kind of expression reserved for people who licked frozen light poles. “Seriously? Everyone has to go through TSA. First class tickets aren’t the same as Disneyland express passes.”

“Then how come Steele went right through?”

“Because,” Tech said, “he was smart enough to get PreCheck. I didn’t submit my application in time.”

Free thumbed nervously through his phone. “I hope I brought enough clothes, there’s so much I wanna do.”

“Don’t worry, I brought enough for both of us,” Tech smiled.

Free eyed Tech up and down. “Dressing like a prep-school chemistry professor isn’t really my style, Techy.”

Tech scowled as if he was insulted. “This vest happens to be Ralph Lauren and the bow tie is Hanauer, hand-stitched silk. You’d be lucky to wear this.”

“Then you need to wear a sign that says that because it looks like the same thing I see at the Men’s Warehouse downtown,” Ruxs laughed.

Free smiled sweetly, then leaned in and gave Tech a quick peck on the cheek. “But you wear it well.”

“Damn it,” Ruxs muttered, shifting his bag. “Can this line move any slower?”

Everyone turned and glared at him.

He glared right back. They were all thinking it but he was the only one frustrated enough to say it.

Free pulled out a worn, overhandled brochure. “Who’s going with me on the LA Grand Tour bus? I need to know how many tickets to get.”

“Not me,” Ruxs said without thought.

“Absolutely not,” Day added.

Green shook his head.

God didn’t even glance up from his phone.

Tech made a face. “Babe, none of us are interested in seeing Johnny Depp’s house or getting a glimpse of the Kardashian estate hidden behind twenty-foot trees.”

Free blinked. “But there’s other stuff too.” He held up the printout like an exhibit. “Let’s go to Rodeo Drive.”

“To stare at shit I can’t afford.” Tech shook his head.