Page 39 of The Flight Risk

I make a pot of coffee for Tess and whip up some blueberry muffins–her favorite. I’m in the middle of making some turkey breakfast sausage when I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. My body freezes and my heart starts going a hundred miles a minute. I can’t wait to see Tess’ unruly dark brown hair and puffy green eyes. My favorite look of hers is right when she wakes up. She’s her most vulnerable, truest self.

It’s not Tess, though.

It’s her mini me. Save for the brown eyes, Lottie looks exactly like what I imagine Tess looked like at fourteen. “Good morning.” Her voice is scruffy and her eyes are still red and puffy from all the tears last night.

I flip the sausage and the pan sizzles. “Good morning. You’re up really early for a Saturday.” I lean against the counter and sip my coffee.

“Couldn’t really sleep anymore. Kept having bad dreams.”

I nod and get a carton of orange juice out of the fridge but when I shut the door, I notice Lottie is already pouring herself some coffee. She’s a coffee lover just like her aunt. I should’ve known. “Why are you up so early?” she asks.

“I have to travel all the way up to Seattle today. Gotta leave in about ten minutes.” The timer dings. I take out the homemade blueberry muffins and set them on a pot holder.

“You made muffins? And blueberry muffins at that?” Lottie purses her lips.

“Yeah, it’s no big deal. I was already making my routine breakfast. These muffins are for you and Tess.” Lottie raises her eyebrows. “What is it, Charlotte?”

“Seriously, just call me Lottie.”

“Not gonna happen.” She rolls her eyes and slumps into the bar stool. “Now what’s going on in that head of yours?”

“It’s nice.” She traces the rim of the mug with her finger, smirking in the process.

Could she be any more cryptic? “What’s nice?” I put the breakfast sausage and scrambled eggs in a to-go container. I stuff it in my bag and throw a hat on. Backwards.

“To see someone who loves my aunt like you do.”

I look back at the doe-eyed, yet wise beyond her years, little girl sitting at my kitchen counter. I’m convinced she can see my heart pounding in my chest. I swallow hard but before I can say anything, Lottie continues, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell her. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thanks, kiddo.” I throw a beanie and puffer vest in my bag because it’s going to be fucking freezing in Seattle. Hell, it’s even getting cold here. “Hey, how about when I get back, we start a Star Wars marathon?”

“Really?” she beams, light returning to her eyes.

“Really. And Charlotte, I have one more thing to tell you before I go.” I have her full attention. “I’m not here to tell you how to live your life. You can do that all on your own. But I hope you realize how special you are and hold onto that forever. You deserve to be treated as such, and any man or boy for that matter who doesn’t treat you right, can go fuck off. Excuse my language.”

She lets out a small giggle before sipping some more coffee.

“Look,” I continue, “consent is so important. You have every right to change your mind at any point and the other person should respect that without making you feel bad or unsafe. If he doesn’t treat you like the best thing that’s ever happened to him, he’s not the guy for you.”

Her lip quivers a bit, but she nods. I throw my duffle over my shoulder then walk over to her. “I couldn’t sleep last night because I was worried about you. Are you sure you’re okay?”

She sniffles. “Yes. I’m okay.”

“Good. That’s good.” I grab my keys from the bowl on the entryway table.

“Hey, Adam?” I turn and feel this thud against my body. Lottie is hugging me so tightly it nearly knocks me off my feet. “Thank you. I honestly think Jake peed his pants when you came into the room. I think he legit thought you were going to punch him. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you guys didn’t come and save me.”

I hug her back. “I’d save you any day, Charlotte. I better be the first call if any boy tries to do that to you again. I will not hesitate to kick his ass next time. Wait for a man who loves you like I love your aunt, because loving her…it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

23

“Are you excited for your birthday, Aunt Tess? Two more days!” Lottie almost squeals.

“Oh my dear little niece, do you know me at all? I’m one of those people who dedicates the entire month to celebrating my birthday.” I open the fridge and ask, “Do you want anything to drink?”

“I’ll take a Dr. Pepper, thanks.” Lottie laughs. “You know, I may adopt that mentality. The whole celebrating my birthday for a full month.”

“You should.” I hand her the beverage and plop on the cushion next to her. “It makes life so much more fun! Are you ready to watch the Storm eviscerate Vegas?” I curl my legs under my butt and turn up the volume.